(a) The Legislature hereby finds and determines that it is essential to the fair and impartial administration of justice that a victim of a criminal offense be afforded a reasonable opportunity to attend any trial or hearing or any portion thereof conducted by any court which in any way pertains to such offense.
(b) Further, the Legislature hereby finds and determines that it is essential to the fair and impartial administration of justice that a victim of a criminal offense not be excluded from any hearing or trial or any portion thereof conducted by any court which in any way pertains to such offense, merely because the victim has been or may be subpoenaed to testify at such hearing or trial or because of any arbitrary or invidious reason.
(c) The provisions of this article are to be construed so as to accomplish these purposes and to promote the same which are hereby declared to be the public policy of this state.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 15 - Criminal Procedure.
Chapter 14 - Trial Arrangements.
Article 4 - Crime Victims' Court Attendance.
Section 15-14-50 - Short Title.
Section 15-14-51 - Legislative Findings; Purpose of Article.
Section 15-14-52 - Definitions.
Section 15-14-53 - Right of Victim to Be Present in Courtroom.
Section 15-14-54 - Victim May Not Be Excluded From Courtroom; Removal Generally.
Section 15-14-55 - Exemption From Rule Requiring Exclusion of Witnesses From Court.
Section 15-14-56 - Designation of Representative When Victim Unable to Attend.
Section 15-14-57 - Effect of Nonattendance of Representative.