Terms Used In Alabama Code 6-4-4

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.

Whenever the plaintiff shall make an affidavit that he is informed and believes that the defendant is about to abscond or to remove out of the state, or is about to secrete himself so that service cannot be had upon him on the following day, he shall be allowed to file his complaint in any of the courts of this state on Sunday. Upon the filing thereof, a summons shall immediately issue and be served by the sheriff upon the defendant on the same day of its issuance, and if he cannot be found on that day, then it shall be served as any other summons and complaint.