(a) The clerk of the court in which indictments are returned shall, forthwith and without allowing them to be taken out of his custody or control, record the same, with the endorsement thereon, in a well-bound book which shall be properly indexed and kept secret, as indictments are required to be kept secret, before the arrest of the defendant; and, if the office of the clerk is furnished with an iron safe or vault, it shall be kept therein.

Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-8-72

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b) The court may require the production of such book on the trial of the defendant for comparison of the indictment against the defendant with the record thereof only in cases where the trial is had on a certified copy of the indictment as provided by law.
(c) Indictments may be recorded by means of a photograph or photostat machine.
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