Unless the context clearly requires otherwise or unless different meanings are expressly specified in subsequent provisions of this article, wherever used in this article, in the singular or plural case, the following terms shall mean:
(1) PERSON.
a. A human being.
b. A public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, or other entity established by law.
c. A government or governmental instrumentality, including, but not limited to the State of Alabama or any political subdivision thereof.
(2) RESTITUTION. An amount of money ordered by a court to be paid to a clerk or other person by a defendant for the use and benefit of a victim of the defendant's criminal offense.
(3) DEFENDANT. A person, as defined, who has been ordered by a court to pay restitution.
(4) CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Conduct for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment, or the death penalty, or to a fine is provided by any law of this state or by any law, local law, or ordinance of a political subdivision of this state.
(5) EMPLOYMENT INCOME. Wages, salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, any and all money due or payable to which a defendant is or may be entitled based upon remuneration for employment, past, present or future, less deductions therefrom required to be withheld by law.
(6) OTHER INCOME.
a. Any money or any negotiable instruments or any portion thereof to which a defendant is or may be entitled from the sale, transfer, conveyance, or assignment of any real or personal property or other thing of value.
b. Any money or any negotiable instrument or any portion thereof to which the defendant is or may be entitled, directly or indirectly, as a result of profits, fees, rents, refunds, rebates, commissions, gifts, bequests, devises, annuities, dividends, royalties, money or property on deposit or in escrow or trust, interest, accounts receivable, choses in action or other transactions.
(7) ASSETS. Any money, legal tender, real or personal property or other thing of value to which the defendant is or may be entitled less and except any exemption established by law for a person other than a defendant.
(8) EMPLOYER. A person who owes or will owe any wages, salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, or money to defendant as remuneration for employment, past, present, or future, after deducting any amounts required to be withheld by law.
(9) COURT. Any circuit or district court of this state.
(10) CLERK OF THE COURT or CLERK. Any circuit court clerk, circuit court register, district court clerk, or their employees, with responsibility for docketing or otherwise carrying out the court's clerical duties, including the receipt and disbursement of restitution payments, or another person, other than the victim, designated by the court to receive or distribute the payment of restitution.
(11) VICTIM. A person designated by a court in a restitution order to receive restitution.
Last modified: May 3, 2021