SB123 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to criminal procedure; to amend Section 15-25-2, Code of Alabama 1975, as last amended by Act 2022-201, 2022 Regular Session, to authorize the taking of depositions by video equipment of victims and witnesses of human trafficking under certain conditions.

Summary

The bill allows video depositions for victims or witnesses of human trafficking outside the defendant’s presence, regardless of age, in certain criminal proceedings.

What This Bill Does

It amends the deposition rules to authorize video depositions of human trafficking victims/witnesses with good cause and notice to the defendant. It sets who must be in the deposition room, allows others at the court’s discretion, and requires cross-examination to proceed as if the witness were in court. It requires the state to provide the video to the defense before trial, imposes protective orders to protect privacy and prevent copying, and allows the deposition to be entered as evidence in place of live testimony unless it would unfairly prejudice the defendant; costs of recording are covered by the state, and the Supreme Court may adopt further rules.

Who It Affects

• Victims or witnesses of human trafficking, regardless of age, who may have their depositions taken by video outside the defendant’s presence.
• Criminal defendants and their attorneys, who must respond to and participate in the deposition process, view the video before trial, and are affected by how the deposition is questioned and introduced at trial.

Key Provisions

• Authorization for video depositions of human trafficking victims/witnesses (no age limit) in criminal cases on a good-cause motion with notice to the defendant.
• Procedures and protections for video depositions: required room participants, examination rules, pre-trial delivery of the video to the defense, protective orders to prevent copying, privacy protections, and state funding of recording costs; potential use as evidence in lieu of live testimony with safeguards.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal procedure, human trafficking victims, taking of depositions by video equipment, authorized