(a) Prior to the admission of evidence to the court, on request of the victim, after consultation and written approval by the district attorney or Attorney General, the law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the criminal offense shall return to the victim any property belonging to the victim that was taken during the course of the investigation, or shall inform the victim of the reasons why the property will not be returned. The law enforcement agency shall make reasonable efforts to return the property to the victim as soon as possible.
(b) If the property of the victim has been admitted as evidence during a trial or hearing, the court may, upon request of the district attorney or the Attorney General, order its release to the victim if a photograph can be substituted. If evidence is released pursuant to this subsection, the attorney for the defendant or investigator may inspect and independently photograph the evidence before it is released.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 15 - Criminal Procedure.
Chapter 23 - Alabama Crime Victims.
Article 3 - Crime Victims' Rights.
Section 15-23-60 - Definitions.
Section 15-23-61 - Designated Representative.
Section 15-23-65 - Prosecuting Attorney Required to Confer With Victim Before Commencement of Trial.
Section 15-23-66 - No Right to Direct Prosecution.
Section 15-23-67 - Right to Be Present Throughout Proceedings.
Section 15-23-68 - Waiting Area for Victim; Court to Minimize Contact of Victim With Defendant.
Section 15-23-70 - Right to Refuse Defendant's Request for Interview.
Section 15-23-71 - Plea Agreement.
Section 15-23-72 - Right to Pre-Sentence Information.
Section 15-23-73 - Impact Statement; Right to Review Pre-Sentence Investigative Report.
Section 15-23-76 - Right to Be Present and Heard at Court Proceeding.
Section 15-23-77 - Right to Have Property Returned.
Section 15-23-78 - Right to Information From Agency Having Physical Custody of Prisoner.
Section 15-23-79 - Submission of Victim's Statement Into Prisoner's Records.
Section 15-23-80 - Facility With Custody of Defendant to Send Victim Release Opinion.
Section 15-23-82 - Clerk of Court to Accept and Disburse Restitution.
Section 15-23-83 - Assertion of Rights by Attorney General or District Attorney.
Section 15-23-84 - Failure to Provide Right or Notice Not Grounds for Setting Aside Sentence.