Code of Alabama
Ala. Code § 6-5-170 (2026)
Definition.
✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
False imprisonment consists in the unlawful detention of the person of another for any length of time whereby he is deprived of his personal liberty.
(Code 1907, §4238; Code 1923, §7967; Code 1940, T. 7, §962.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 58
cases (12 in the last 5 years), 1990–2026 · leading case: Walker v. City of Huntsville, 62 So. 3d 474 (Ala. 2010).
Walker v. City of Huntsville, 62 So. 3d 474 (Ala. 2010). “Section 6-5-170, Ala.Code 1975, defines false imprisonment as "the unlawful detention of the person of another for any length of time whereby he is deprived of his personal liberty.”
Ex parte Harris, 216 So. 3d 1201 (Ala. 2016). ““Section 6-5-170, Ala.Code 1975, defines false imprisonment as ‘the unlawful detention of the person of another for any length of time whereby he is deprived of his personal liberty.”
Dolgencorp, LLC v. Spence, 224 So. 3d 173 (Ala. 2016). “Welch had probable cause to detain Spence after believing she witnessed Spence conceal store merchandise in her purse. “False imprisonment consists in the unlawful detention of the person of another for any length of time whereby he is deprived of his personal liberty.”
Exford v. City of Montgomery, 887 F. Supp. 2d 1210 (M.D. Ala. 2012). “This leaves only the false imprisonment claim against Norgard (and potentially the City if vicarious liability attaches).”
Carr v. Int'l Refining & Mfg. Co., 13 So. 3d 947 (Ala. 2009). “" (citing § 6-5-170, Ala.Code 1975)), and Harper v.”
Johnson v. Fed. Express Corp., 147 F. Supp. 2d 1268 (M.D. Ala. 2001). “1993) (interpreting Ala. Code § 6-5-170 (1975)). At minimum, a plaintiff must request or attempt to leave the confined area.”
Hardy v. Town of Hayneville, 50 F. Supp. 2d 1176 (M.D. Ala. 1999). “” Ala.Code § 6-5-170 (1975). For there to be a false imprisonment, “there must be some direct restraint of the person; however, it is not necessary that there be confinement in a jail or a prison.”
Lightfoot v. Floyd, 667 So. 2d 56 (Ala. 1995). “" Ala.Code 1975, § 6-5-170. Mr. Lightfoot averred in the count alleging false imprisonment that "Investigator Floyd *69 .”
White v. City of Birmingham, 96 F. Supp. 3d 1260 (N.D. Ala. 2015). “” Ala.Code § 6-5-170. False imprisonment does not occur when an officer detains a party and probable cause exists for the detention.”
Fleming v. Dowdell, 434 F. Supp. 2d 1138 (M.D. Ala. 2005). “” Ala.Code § 6-5-170 (1993). To satisfy the statutory requirements for false imprisonment, one only need allege (1) a detention (2) which is unlawful.”
Strickland v. City of Dothan, AL, 399 F. Supp. 2d 1275 (M.D. Ala. 2005). “” 1975 Alabama Code § 6-5-170. Summers offers no evidence or argument that Strickland’s continuing detention should not be attributed to her actions (which include marking the IH4 box on the arrest report) or why those actions should be protected by discretionary-function…”
R.J.D. v. Vaughan Clinic, P.C., 572 So. 2d 1225 (Ala. 1990). “" Ala.Code 1975, § 6-5-170. It is undisputed that R.”
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