(a) Arrest is the restraint of a person by an order, not imposed as a punishment for an offense, directing him or her to remain within certain specified limits. Confinement is the physical restraint of a person.
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Terms Used In Alabama Code 31-2A-9

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b) An enlisted member may be ordered into arrest or confinement by any commissioned officer by an order, oral or written, delivered in person or through other persons subject to this code. A commanding officer may authorize warrant officers, petty officers, or noncommissioned officers to order enlisted members of the commanding officer’s command or subject to the commanding officer’s authority into arrest or confinement.
(c) A commissioned officer, a warrant officer, or a civilian subject to this code or to trial thereunder may be ordered into arrest or confinement only by a commanding officer to whose authority the person is subject, by an order, oral or written, delivered in person or by another commissioned officer. The authority to order such persons into arrest or confinement may not be delegated.
(d) No person may be ordered into arrest or confinement except for probable cause.
(e) This article does not limit the authority of persons authorized to apprehend offenders to secure the custody of an alleged offender until proper authority may be notified.
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