Code of Alabama
Ala. Code § 15-14-55 (2026)
Exemption from Rule Requiring Exclusion of Witnesses from Court.
✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
A victim of a criminal offense shall be exempt from the operation of rule of court, regulation, or statute or other law requiring the separation or exclusion of witnesses from court in criminal trials or hearings.
(Acts 1983, No. 83-622, p. 971, §6.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7
cases, 1992–2014 · leading case: Harris v. State, 632 So. 2d 503 (Ala. Crim. App. 1992).
Harris v. State, 632 So. 2d 503 (Ala. Crim. App. 1992). “Specifically, she argues that *525 the trial court erred by allowing the victim's sister to sit at the table for the prosecution during trial, and she claims that § 15-14-55, Code of Alabama 1975, which permits a victim's family member to sit at the table for the prosecution at…”
Johnson v. State, 120 So. 3d 1130 (Ala. Crim. App. 2009). “See Ala. Code 1975, § 15-14-55. If the victim is unable to attend the trial, then the victim, the victim’s guardian, or the victim’s family can select a representative, and that representative would be exempted from the rule.”
Demetrius Avery Jackson, Jr. v. State of Alabama., 169 So. 3d 1 (Ala. Crim. App. 2010). “See Ala.Code 1975 § 15-14-55. If the victim is unable to attend the trial, then the victim, the victim’s guardian, or the victim’s family can select a representative, and that representative would be exempted from the rule.”
Lee v. State, 898 So. 2d 790 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). “" § 15-14-55, Ala.Code 1975. Also, with regard to the right of family members of victims to be present in the courtroom, § 15-14-56(a), Ala.”
Wilson v. State, 777 So. 2d 856 (Ala. Crim. App. 1999). “" § 15-14-55, Ala.Code 1975. Also, with regard to the right of family members of victims to be present in the courtroom, § 15-14-56(a), Ala.”
Burgess v. State, 827 So. 2d 134 (Ala. Crim. App. 1998). “[we held:] "`furthermore, under § 15-14-55, Code of Alabama (1975), "a victim of a criminal offense shall be exempt from the operation of rule of court, regulation, or statute or other law requiring the separation or exclusion of witnesses from court in criminal trials or…”
Shanklin v. State, 187 So. 3d 734 (Ala. Crim. App. 2014). “Code 1975; additionally, the victim is ‘ “exempt from the operation of rule of court, regulation, or statute requiring the separation or exclusion of witnesses from court in criminal trial or hearings,” ’ § 15-14-55, Ala.Code 1975). Rule 615, Ala.”
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