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AL HB261
Bill
Status
2/16/2017
Primary Sponsor
Lynn Greer
Click for details
AI Summary
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Defense attorneys in criminal proceedings must provide notice to the prosecutor before contacting a crime victim or their immediate family members for purposes of investigating or developing case issues.
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Prosecutors may consent to contact or request the court prohibit the attorney from contacting the victim or immediate family members within 48 hours of receiving notice.
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If prosecutors do not respond within 48 hours, defense attorneys may proceed with contact unless the prosecutor obtains a court order prohibiting it.
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Unauthorized contact in violation of these requirements constitutes criminal harassment or a harassing communication under Section 13A-11-8.
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State Treasury funds, including Fair Trial Tax Fund money, are prohibited from being used for Defense Initiated Victims Outreach initiatives or for funding professional service providers to serve crime victims through such initiatives.
Legislative Description
Criminal witnesses, contact with by criminal defendant prohibited without notice to prosecutor, penalties for violations, Defense Initiated Victims Outreach initiative, funding of by public funds prohibited, Sec. 15-23-73 am'd.
Crimes and Offenses
Last Action
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary
2/16/2017