Terms Used In Alabama Code 6-6-642

  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • 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
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

The common law, as now in force in this state, touching any of the matters embraced in this article, is not repealed, but left in full force, the true intent and meaning of this article being to provide a plain, more speedy, and less expensive mode of procedure in all cases to which it applies; nor is anything contained in this article intended to repeal, alter, or change any statute of this state now in force in reference to proceedings for habeas corpus or mandamus.