Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-8-35

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Forgery: The fraudulent signing or alteration of another's name to an instrument such as a deed, mortgage, or check. The intent of the forgery is to deceive or defraud. Source: OCC
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.

In an indictment for the forgery of an instrument which has been destroyed or withheld by the act or procurement of the defendant, if that fact is alleged in the indictment, a misdescription of the instrument is immaterial.