Code of Alabama
Ala. Code § 15-14-56 (2026)
Designation of Representative When Victim Unable to Attend.
✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
(a) Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death; disability; hardship; incapacity; physical, mental, or emotional condition; age; or other inability, the victim, the victim’s guardian or the victim’s family may select a representative who shall be entitled to exercise any right granted to the victim, pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(b) Provided, however, in the event of a dispute, the court in its discretion may designate such representative.
(Acts 1983, No. 83-622, p. 971, §7.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 19
cases, 1990–2014 · leading case: Dorsey v. State, 881 So. 2d 460 (Ala. Crim. App. 2002).
Dorsey v. State, 881 So. 2d 460 (Ala. Crim. App. 2002). “[5] He asserts that it *487 was error for the trial court to exempt four people from the rule and allow them to remain in the courtroom.”
Johnson v. State, 120 So. 3d 1130 (Ala. Crim. App. 2009). “See Ala.Code 1975, § 15-14-56 (grounds for permitting a victim’s representative to attend are: death of the victim; disability; hardship; incapacity; physical, mental, or emotional condition; age; or other inability).”
Pierce v. State, 576 So. 2d 236 (Ala. Crim. App. 1990). “"Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death; disability; hardship; incapacity; physical, mental, or emotional condition; age; or other inability, the victim, the victim's guardian or the victim's family may select a…”
Demetrius Avery Jackson, Jr. v. State of Alabama., 169 So. 3d 1 (Ala. Crim. App. 2010). “See Ala.Code 1975, § 15-14-56 (grounds for permitting a victim’s representative to attend are: death of the victim; disability; hardship; incapacity; physical, mental, or emotional condition; age; or other inability).”
Brown v. State, 11 So. 3d 866 (Ala. Crim. App. 2007). “) Section 15-14-56(a), Ala.Code 1975, provides: “Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death .”
Lee v. State, 898 So. 2d 790 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). “Also, with regard to the right of family members of victims to be present in the courtroom, § 15-14-56(a), Ala.Code 1975, provides: "Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death .”
McGowan v. State, 990 So. 2d 931 (Ala. Crim. App. 2005). “See §§ 15-14-56(a) ("Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial .”
Wilson v. State, 142 So. 3d 732 (Ala. Crim. App. 2010). “See § 15-14-56, Ala. Code 1975 (grounds for permitting a victim’s representative to attend are: death of the victim; disability; hardship; incapacity; physical, mental, or emotional condition; age; or other inability).”
Harris v. State, 632 So. 2d 503 (Ala. Crim. App. 1992). “" Under § 15-14-56(a), "[w]henever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death.”
Perkins v. State, 808 So. 2d 1041 (Ala. Crim. App. 1999). “Section 15-14-56(a), Ala.Code 1975, specifically provides: "Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death; disability; hardship; incapacity; physical, mental, or emotional condition; age; or other inability, the victim, the…”
Gaddy v. State, 698 So. 2d 1100 (Ala. Crim. App. 1995). “1994) ("the presence of a member of the victim's family is specifically allowed by § 15-14-56(a), Code of Alabama 1975....) Moreover, emotional outburst by a spectator or family member during a criminal trial, even where the outburst may influence or disturb the jury, does not…”
Wilson v. State, 777 So. 2d 856 (Ala. Crim. App. 1999). “Also, with regard to the right of family members of victims to be present in the courtroom, § 15-14-56(a), Ala.Code 1975, provides: "Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death .”
— Ala. Code § 15-14-56(a) — 15 cases
Dorsey v. State, 881 So. 2d 460 (Ala. Crim. App. 2002). “[5] He asserts that it *487 was error for the trial court to exempt four people from the rule and allow them to remain in the courtroom.”
Brown v. State, 11 So. 3d 866 (Ala. Crim. App. 2007). “) Section 15-14-56(a), Ala.Code 1975, provides: “Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death .”
Lee v. State, 898 So. 2d 790 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003). “Also, with regard to the right of family members of victims to be present in the courtroom, § 15-14-56(a), Ala.Code 1975, provides: "Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death .”
McGowan v. State, 990 So. 2d 931 (Ala. Crim. App. 2005). “See §§ 15-14-56(a) ("Whenever a victim is unable to attend such trial .”
Harris v. State, 632 So. 2d 503 (Ala. Crim. App. 1992). “" Under § 15-14-56(a), "[w]henever a victim is unable to attend such trial or hearing or any portion thereof by reason of death.”
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