Rules of Evidence

Rule 101. Scope

These rules govern proceedings in the courts of the State of Alabama to the extent and with the exceptions stated in Rule 1101.

Rule 803. Hearsay Exceptions; Availability. of Declarant Immaterial

The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available as a witness:

(5) Recorded recollection. A memorandum or record concerning a matter about which a witness once had knowledge but now has insufficient recollection to enable the witness to testify fully and accurately, shown to have been made or adopted by the witness when the matter was fresh in the witness's memory and to reflect that knowledge correctly. If admitted, the memorandum or record may be read into evidence but may not itself be received as an exhibit unless offered by an adverse party.

(6) Records of regularly conducted activity. A memorandum, report, record, or data compilation, in any form, of acts, events, conditions, opinions, or diagnoses, made at or near the time by, or from information transmitted by, a person with knowledge, if kept in the course of a regularly conducted business activity, and if it was the regular practice of that business activity to make the memorandum, report, record, or data compilation, all as shown by the testimony of the custodian or other qualified witness, unless the source of information or the method or circumstances of preparation indicate lack of trustworthiness. The term "business" as used in this paragraph includes business, institution, association, profession, occupation, and calling of every kind, whether or not conducted for profit.

(7) Absence of entry. in records kept in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (6). Evidence that a matter is not included in the memoranda, reports, records, or data compilations, in any form, kept in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (6), to prove the nonoccurrence or nonexistence of the matter, if the matter was of a kind of which a memorandum, report, record, or data compilation was regularly made and preserved, unless the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness.

(8) Public records and reports. Records, reports, statements, or data compilations, in any form, of public offices or agencies, setting forth (A) the activities of the office or agency, or (B) marten observed pursuant to duty imposed by law as to which matters there was a duty to report, excluding, however, when offered against the defendant in criminal cases, matters observed by police officers and other law enforcement personnel. or (C) in civil actions and proceedings and against the state or governmental authority in criminal cases, factual findings resulting from an investigation made pursuant to authority granted by law, unless the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness.

(9) Records of vital statistics. Records or data compilations, in any form, of vital statistics such as those relating to births, fetal deaths, deaths, or marriages, if the report thereof was made to a public office pursuant to requirements of law.

(I0) Absence of public record or entry. To prove the absence of a record, report. statement or data compilation, in any form, or the nonoccurrence or nonexistence of a matter of which a record, report, statement, or dam compilation, in any form, was regularly made and preserved by a public office or agency, evidence in the form of a certification in accordance with Rule 902, or testimony, that diligent search failed to disclose the record, report, statement, or data compilation, or entry.

(14) Records of documents affecting an interest in property. The record of a document purporting to establish or affect an interest in property, as proof of the content of the original recorded document and its execution and delivery by each person by whom it purports to have been executed, if the record is a record of a public office and an applicable statute authorizes the recording of documents of that kind in that office.

(15) Statements in documents affecting an interest in property.. A statement contained in a document purporting to establish or affect an interest in property if the matter stated was relevant to the purpose of the document, unless dealings with the property since the document was made have been inconsistent with the truth of the statement or the purport of the document.

(16) Statements in ancient documents. Statements in a document in existence thirty years or more the authenticity of which is established.

(17) Market reports, commercial publications. Market quotations, tabulations, lists, directories, or other published compilations, generally used and relied upon by the public or by persons in particular occupations.

(18) Learned treatises. To the extent called to the attention of an expert witness upon cross-examination or relied upon by the expert witness in direct examination, statements contained in published treatises, periodicals, or pamphlets on a subject of history, medicine, or other science or art, established as a reliable authority by the testimony or admission of the witness or by other expert testimony or by judicial notice. If admired, the statements may be read into evidence but may not be received as exhibits.

Rule 901. Requirement of Authentication or Identification

(a) General provision. The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims.

(b) Illustrations. By way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation, the following are examples of authentication or identification conforming with the requirements of this rule:

(7) Public records or reports. Evidence that a writing authorized by law to be recorded or filed and in fact recorded or filed in a public office, or a purported public record, report, statement, or data compilation, in any form, is from the public office where items of this nature are kept.

(8) Ancient documents or data compilation. Evidence that a document or data compilation, in any form, (A) is in such condition as to create no suspicion concerning its authenticity (B) was in a place where it, if authentic, would likely be, and (C) has been in existence thirty years or more at the time it is offered.

(9) Process or system. Evidence describing a process or system used to produce a result and showing that the process or system produces an accurate result.

(10) Methods provided by statute or rule. Any method of authentication or identification provided by statute or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court of Alabama.

Rule 902. Self-Authentication

Extrinsic evidence of authenticity as a condition precedent to admissibility is not required with respect to the following:

(1) Domestic public documents under seal. A document bearing a seal purporting to be that of the United States, or of any State, district, Commonwealth, territory, or insular possession thereof, or the Panama Canal Zone, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or of a political subdivision, department, officer, or agency thereof, and a signature purporting to be an attestation or execution.

(2) Domestic public documents not under seal. A document purporting to bear the signature in the official capacity of an officer or employee of any entity included in paragraph (1) hereof. having no seal, if a public officer having a seal and having official duties in the district or political subdivision of the officer or employee certifies under seal that the signer has the official capacity and that the signature is genuine.

(3) Foreign public documents. A document purporting to be executed or attested in an official capacity by a person authorized by the laws of a foreign country to make the execution or attestation, and accompanied by a final certification as to the genuineness of the signature and official position (A) of the executing or attesting person, or (B) of any foreign official whose certificate of genuineness of signature and official position relates to the execution or attestation or is in a chain of certificates of genuineness of signature and official position relating to the execution or attestation. A final certification may be made by a secretary of an embassy or legation, consul general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent of the United States, or a diplomatic or consular official of the foreign country assigned or accredited to the United States. If reasonable opportunity has been given to all parties to investigate the authenticity and accuracy of official documents, the court may, for good cause shown, order that they be treated as presumptively authentic without final certification or permit them to be evidenced by an attested summary with or without final certification.

(4) Certified copies of public records. A copy of an official record or report or entry therein, or of a document authorized by law to be recorded or filed and actually recorded or filed in a public office, including data compilations in any form, certified as correct by the custodian or other person authorized to make the certification, by certificate complying with paragraph (1), (2), or (:3) of this rule or complying with any applicable statute' or other rule of court

(5) Official publications. Books, pamphlets, or other publications purporting to be issued by public authority.

(6) Newspapers and periodicals. Printed materials purporting to be newspapers or periodicals.

(7) Trade inscriptions and the like. Inscriptions, signs, tags, or labels purporting to have been affixed in the course of business and indicating ownership, control, or origin.

(8) Acknowledged documents. Documents accompanied by a certificate of acknowledgment executed in the manner provided by law by a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments.

(9) Commercial paper and related documents. Commercial paper, signatures thereon, and documents relating thereto to the extent provided by general commercial law.

(10) Self-authentication under statutes and rules of court. Any signature. document, or other matter declared by any statute, state or federal, or any rule promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court to be presumptively or prima facie genuine or authentic.

Rule 903. Subscribing Witness's Testimony Unnecessary

The testimony of a subscribing witness is not necessary to authenticate a writing unless required by the laws of the jurisdiction whose laws govern the validity of the writing.

Rule 1001. Definitions

For purposes of this article the following definitions are applicable:

(1) Writings. "Writings" consist of letters, words, or numbers, or their equivalent set down by handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, or other form of data compilation.

(2) Original. An "original" of a writing is the writing itself or any counterpart intended to have the same effect by a person executing or issuing it. If data are stored in a computer or similar device, any printout or other output readable by sight, shown to reflect the data accurately, is an "original."

(3) Duplicate. A "duplicate" is a counterpart produced by the same impression as the original, or from the same matrix, or by means of photography.

Rule 1002. Requirement of Original

To prove the content of a writing, the original writing is required, except as otherwise provided by statute,

these rules, or by other rules applicable in the courts of this state.

Rule 1003. Admissibility of Duplicates

A duplicate is admissible to the same extent as an original unless (1) a genuine question is raised as to the authenticity of the original or (2) in the circumstances it would be unfair to admit the duplicate in lieu of the original.

Rule 1004. Admissibility of Other Evidence of Contents

The original is not required, and other evidence of the contents of a writing is admissible, should there be no duplicate readily available to the proponent or witness, if:

(1) Originals lost or destroyed. All originals are lost or have been destroyed, unless the proponent lost or destroyed them in bad faith; or

(2) Original not obtainable. No original can be obtained by any available judicial process or procedure; or

(3) Original in possession of opponent. At a time when an original was under the control of the party against whom offered, that party was put on notice, by the pleadings or otherwise, that the contents would be a subject of proof at the hearing, and that party does not produce the original at the hearing; or

(4) Collateral matters. The writing is not closely related to a controlling issue.

Rule 1005. Public Records

The contents of an official record, or of a document authorized to be recorded or filed and actually recorded or filed, including data compilations in any form, if otherwise admissible, may be proved by copy, certified as correct in accordance with Rule 902 or testified to be correct by a witness who has compared it with the original. If a copy which complies with the foregoing cannot be obtained by the exercise of reasonable diligence, then other evidence of the contents may be given.

Rule 1006. Summaries

The contents of voluminous writings which cannot conveniently be examined in court may be presented in the form of a chart, summary, or calculation. The originals, or duplicates, shall be made available for examination or copying, or both, by other parties at a reasonable time and place. The court may order that they be produced in court.

Rule 1007. Testimony or Written Admission of Party

Contents of writings may be proved by the testimony or deposition of the party against whom offered or by

that party's written admission, without accounting for the nonproduction of the original.

Rule 1101. Rules Applicable

(a) General applicability. Except as otherwise provided by Constitutional provision, statute, this rule, or other rules of the Supreme Court of Alabama, these rules of evidence apply in all proceedings in the courts of Alabama, including proceedings before referees and masters.

(b) Rules inapplicable. These rules, other than those with respect to privileges, do not apply in the following situations:

(I) Preliminary questions of fact. The determination of questions of fact preliminary. to admissibility of evidence when the issue is to be determined by the court under Rule 104.

(2) Grand jury. Proceedings before grand juries.

(3) Miscellaneous proceedings. Proceedings for extradition or rendition; preliminary hearings in criminal cases: sentencing, or granting or revoking probation; issuance of warrants for arrest, criminal summonses, and search warrants: and proceedings with respect to release on bail or otherwise.

(4) Contempt proceedings. Contempt proceedings in which the court may act summarily.

Rule 1102. Title

These rules shall be known as the Alabama Rules of Evidence and may be cited as Ala. R. Evid.

§ 12-21-44. Copies of written memorandum of transactions

(a) Any writing or record, whether in the form of an entry in a book or otherwise, made as a memorandum or record of any act, transaction, occurrence or event, if it was made in the regular course of any business and it was in the regular course of the business to make such memorandum or record at the time of such act transaction, occurrence or event, or within a reasonable time thereafter, may be photostated, or it may be photographed or microphotographed on plate or film; and such photostat, photographic or microphotographic plate or film, or print thereof, whether enlarged or not, shall be deemed to be an original record and shall be admissible in evidence in proof of said act, transaction, occurrence or event in all instances that the original record might have been admissible and shall be presumed to be a true and correct reproduction of the original record it purports to represent. All other circumstances of the making of such writing or record, or of such photostat, photographic or microphotographic plate or film or print thereof, whether enlarged or not, including lack of personal knowledge by the entrant or maker, may be shown to affect its weight, but they shall not affect its admissibility.

(b) Whenever any writing or record, whether in the form of an entry in a book or otherwise, made as a memorandum or record of any act, transaction, occurrence or event has been photostated, photographed or microphotographed on plate or film, any party having the right to have the original record preserved or to an inspection of the original writing or record, or other rights in connection therewith, shall have the same rights as to the photostat, photographic or microphotographic plate or film, or prints made therefrom, in the event the original is not available. The custodian of such plate or film shall provide for the ready location of particular records so reproduced on plate or film and shall provide a projector or other convenient means for viewing the records so reproduced by those entitled thereto, and said custodian shall furnish a legible print or copy of such plate or film to such persons as are entitled to a copy of the original record. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to allow the destruction or other disposition of original records which by statutory. Enactment now are, or hereafter may be, required to be preserved for inspection or for other purposes.

(c) For the purposes of this section, the term "business" shall mean and include any private business. industry, profession occupation or calling of any kind. The term "record" or "records" as used in this section shall mean and include any writing or record as described in subsection (a) of this section, heretofore made or which may be made after May 217 1951.

§ 5-4A-1. Generally

(c) Any bank may cause any or all books and records at any time in its custody and books and records relating to trusts, estates and other fiduciary, accounts, to be reproduced by photostatic, photographic, or microphotographic process, or by any other generally recognized reproduction process, and reproduction so made, whether enlarged or not, shall have the same force and effect as the original thereof and be admired in evidence equally with the original.

§ 5-19-24. Licensees; examination and investigation

(d) A licensee's books and records may be maintained, produced, and reproduced for examination by photostatic, photographic, microphotographic, optical imaging, or by any other generally recognized process for data storage and reproduction.

§ 12-21-6. Hospital records; subpoena duces tecum

(a) A certified copy of said hospital records may be procured by any litigant in any court of competent jurisdiction in the state by subpoena duces tecum, and when any such subpoena duces tecum is issued for said hospital records, the custodian of said hospital records shall prepare a copy of said hospital records as provided in this subsection and securely seal the same in an envelope or other container and date and fill out and sign a certificate in substantially the form provided in Section 12-21-7 and place on, or securely fasten said certificate to the outside of, said envelope or container in which said copy of said hospital records are placed and deliver the same to the clerk or register of the court hearing or to hear or to try, the case or proceeding in which the records are sought, and he shall not otherwise be required to appear in court unless thereafter ordered to do so by the court. The copy of the hospital records shall not be open to inspection or copy by other persons than the parties to the case or proceeding and their attorneys until ordered published by the court trying the case at the time of the trial. When so prepared and certified, the copy of said hospital records shall be admissible in evidence in any court in the stale, if and when admissible, in prima facie proof of the facts therein shown just as if otherwise verified and just as if the copy were the original. The copy of the hospital records may bc photostated, photographed or made by microphotographic plate or film, or otherwise made, so long as clear and easily legible. All the circumstances of the making of such hospital records, including lack of personal knowledge of the entrant or maker of such hospital records, may otherwise be shown to affect the weight of such hospital records, but this shall not affect their admissibility.

§ 12-21-43. Written memorandum of transactions

Any writing or record, whether in the form of an entry. in a book or otherwise, made as a memorandum or record of any act, transaction, occurrence or event, shall be admissible in evidence in proof of said act, transaction or event if it was made in the regular course of any business and it was the regular course of the business to make such memorandum or record at the time of such act, transaction, occurrence or event, or within a reasonable time thereafter. All other circumstances of the making of such writing or record, including lack of personal knowledge by the entrant or maker, may be shown to affect its weight, but they shall not affect its admissibility. The term, "Business" shall include a business, profession, occupation and calling of every kind.

Rule 44. Proof of Documents

(a) Authentication

(I) Domestic. An official record kept within the United States. or any state, district, commonwealth. territory, or insular possession thereof, or within a territory subject to the administrative or judicial jurisdiction of the United States or an entry. therein, when admissible for any purpose, may be evidenced by an official publication thereof or by a copy attested by a person purporting to be the officer having the legal custody of the record, or by the officer's deputy. If the official record is kept without the state, the copy shall be accompanied by a certificate under oath of such person that such person is the legal custodian of such record and that the laws of the state require the record to be kept.

(2) Foreign. A foreign official record, or an entry therein, when admissible for any purpose, may be evidenced by an official publication thereof; or a copy thereof, attested by a person authorized to make the attestation, and accompanied by a final certification as to the genuineness of the signature and official position (i) of the attesting person, or (ii) of any foreign official whose certificate of genuineness of signature and official position relates to the attestation or is in a chain of certificates of genuineness of signature and official position relating to the attestation. A final certification may be made by a secretary of embassy or legation, consul general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent of the United States, or a diplomatic or consular official of the foreign country assigned or accredited to the United States. If reasonable opportunity has been given to all parties to investigate the authenticity and accuracy of the documents, the court may, for good cause shown, (i) admit an attested copy without final certification or (ii) permit the foreign official record to be evidenced by an attested summary, with or without a final certification. The final certification is unnecessary if the record and the attestation are certified as provided in a treaty or convention to which the United States and the foreign country in which the official record is located are parties.

(b) Lack of record. A written statement that after diligent search no record or entry. of a specified tenor is found to exist in the records designated by the statement, authenticated as provided in subdivision (a)(l) of this rule in the case of a domestic record, or complying with the requirements of subdivision (a)(2) of this rule for a summary, in the case of a foreign record, is admissible as evidence that the records contain no such record or entry.

(c) Other proof. This rule does not prevent the proof of records or of entry or lack of entry therein by any method authorized by any applicable statute or by the rules of evidence at common law.

 (d) Original documents. Documents of any class, no matter where kept, may be proven by the original, authenticated as provided in this rule. If a document has been altered, or appears to have been altered, after its execution, in a right material to the question in dispute, the party producing the document as genuine must account for the appearance or alteration. Such party may show that the alteration was made by another, without that party's concurrence, or was made with the consent of the parties affected by it, or otherwise properly or innocently made. or that the alteration did not change the meaning of the language of the instrument. If the party, producing the document makes such showing, such party, may give the document in evidence. If the party, producing the document is unable to make such showing, the document may be received in evidence with any objections as to the alterations affecting the weight to which the document is entitled, but not the admissibility of the document

(e) Documents recorded under recording act. Every instrument permitted or required by law to be recorded in the office of the judge of probate, and which has been proved or acknowledged in the manner provided by law in force at the time of its execution, may be read in evidence without further proof and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated. The record of any such instrument or a certified copy of the record may also be read in evidence with like effect as the original. The official entry of the proper officer on a paper shall be sufficient evidence of its registry. If the original of any paper, properly registered, is lost or destroyed, a certified copy from the registry shall be deemed good secondary evidence. If the original is found to have been recorded, and it does not appear whether it was done on proper probate, the court Shall presume, until the contrary appears, that the same was done on proper probate.

(f) Judgments. A judgment is admissible between an>' parties to show the fact of the rendition thereof; between parties and privies thereto it is conclusive as to the matter directly in issue, until reversed or set aside.

(g) Books, maps, etc., as evidence. Historical works. books of science or art and published maps or charts, when made by persons indifferent between the parties. are prima facie evidence of facts of general notoriety and interest.

(h) Business entries. Any writing or record, whether in the form of an entry. in a book or otherwise, made as a memorandum or record of any act, transaction, occurrence, or event, shall be admissible in evidence as proof of said act, transaction, occurrence or event, if it was made in the regular course of any business, profession, occupation, or calling of any kind. and it was the regular course of the business, profession, occupation or calling to make such memorandum or record at the time of such act, transaction, occurrence or event, or within a reasonable time thereafter. Such a writing may be photostated, or it may be photographed or microphotographed on plate or film, and such photostat, photographic or microphotographic plate or film, or prints thereof, whether enlarged or not, shall be deemed to be an original record and shall be presumed to be a true and correct reproduction of the original record it purports to represent. The circumstances of the making of such writing or record, including lack of personal knowledge by the entrant or maker, and the circumstances of making such photostat or other photographic copy thereof, may be shown to affect its weight but they shall not affect its admissibility. Any person having a right to have an original record preserved or to inspect the original writing or record or other rights in connection therewith shall have the same rights as to any photostat, photographic or microphotographic plate or film or prints made therefrom, in the event the original is not available. the custodian of such plate and film shall provide for the ready location of particular records so reproduced and shall provide a projector or other convenient means for viewing the records so reproduced by those entitled thereto and said custodian shall furnish a legible print or copy of such plate or film to such persons as are entitled to a copy of the original record.

(i) Proof of private documents. The execution of any instrument of writing attested by witnesses may be

proved by the testimony of the maker thereof, without producing or accounting for the absence of attesting witnesses. In all other cases the subscribing witness must be produced, if possible, to prove execution of private documents, unless the document is an ancient writing which proves itself, or is self-proving or properly acknowledged. or is an official bond required by law to be approved or tested by a particular functionary, or is only incidentally or collaterally material to the case. Whenever the subscribing witnesses are dead, insane, incompetent, or are without the state, or their residence is unknown, or, being produced, they do not recollect the transaction, then proof of the actual signing by, or of the handwriting of, the alleged maker or subscribing witness, shall be received as primary evidence of the fact of execution; and if such evidence be not attainable, the court may admit evidence of the handwriting of the subscribing witness, or other secondary evidence, to establish such fact of execution.

(j) Proof of handwriting. Whenever the genuineness of the handwriting of any person may be involved, any admitted or proved handwriting of such person shall be competent evidence as a basis for comparison to prove or disprove such genuineness. Comparison of a disputed writing with any writing admitted or proven to the reasonable satisfaction of the court to be genuine shall be permitted to be made by witnesses who are qualified as experts, or who are familiar with the handwriting of the person whose handwriting is in question.

(dc) District court rule. Rule 44 applies in the district courts.

§ 7-9403. Duration; recordation; fees

(1) Presentation for filing of a financing statement and tender of the filing fee or acceptance of the statement by the filing officer constitutes filing under this article.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (6), a filed financing statement is effective for a period of five years

from the date of filing, or, where both (i) the collateral described consists only of consumer goods and (ii) the secured obligation is originally $2000 or less, then until the 30th day following any maturity date if specified in the financing statement. The effectiveness of a filed financing statement lapses on the expiration of the effective period unless a continuation statement is filed prior to the lapse. If a security interest perfected by filing exists at the time insolvency proceedings are commenced by or against the debtor, the security interest remains perfected until termination of the insolvency proceedings and thereafter for a period of 60 days or until expiration of the effective period, whichever occurs later: but when the effective period expires before the expiration of the 60-day period, the security interest remains continuously perfected beyond the 60-day period only if a continuation statement is filed before expiration of the effective period or a new financing statement is filed between the time of expiration of the effective period and expiration of the 60-day period. Upon lapse the security interest becomes unperfected, unless it is perfected without filing. If the security interest becomes unperfected upon lapse, it is deemed to have been unperfected as against a person who became a purchaser or lien creditor before lapse.

(3) A continuation statement may be filed by the secured party within six months prior to the expiration of the effective period specified in subsection (2). Any such continuation statement must be signed by the secured party, identify. the original statement by file number and state that the original statement is still effective, and, may where both (i) the collateral described consists only of consumer goods and (ii) the secured obligation is originally $2000 or less, specify. the maturity date. A continuation statement signed by a person other than the secured party. of record must be accompanied by a separate written statement of assignment signed by the secured party. of record and complying with subsection (2) of Section 7-9-405. including payment of the required fee. Upon timely filing of the continuation statement, the effectiveness of the original statement is continued for five years after the last date to which the filing was effective or until the 30th day following any maturity date specified in the continuation statement, whichever is earlier, whereupon it lapses in the same manner as provided in subsection (2) unless another continuation statement is filed prior to such lapse. Succeeding continuation statements may be filed in the same manner to continue the effectiveness of the original statement. Unless a statute on disposition of public records provides otherwise, the filing officer may remove a lapsed statement from the files and destroy it. Microfilm or other photographic records may be removed and destroyed after five years after the lapse. The filing officer shall so arrange matters by physical annexation of financing statements to continuation statements or other related filings, or by other means, that if he physically destroys the financing statements of a period more than five years past, those which have been continued by a continuation statement or which are still effective under subsection (6) shall be retained.

 (4) The filing officer shall mark each statement with a file number and with the date and hour of filing and shall hold the statement or a microfilm or other photographic copy thereof for public inspection. in addition the filing officer shall index the statements according to the name of the debtor and such trade names as are shown (subsection (7) of Section 7-9-402) and shall note in the index the file number and the address of the debtor given in the statement.

§ 7-9-404. Termination statement

(1) Whenever there is no outstanding secured obligation and no commitment to make advances, incur obligations or otherwise give value, the secured party must on written demand by the debtor send the debtor, for each filing officer with whom the financing statement was filed, a termination statement to the effect that he no longer claims a security interest under the financing statement, which shall be identified by the file number. A termination statement signed by a person other than the secured party of record must be accompanied by a separate written statement of assignment signed by the secured party of record complying with subsection (2) of Section 7-9-405, including payment of the required fee. If the affected secured party falls to send such termination statement within 10 days after proper demand therefor he shall be liable to the debtor for $100, and in addition for any loss caused to the debtor by such failure.

(2) On presentation to the filing officer of such a termination statement he must index it with the financing statement. If he has received the termination statement in duplicate. he shall return one copy of the termination statement to the secured party stamped to show the time of receipt thereof. If the filing officer has a microfilm or other photographic record of the financing statement. and of an), related continuation statement statement of assignment, statement of release and termination statement, he may remove the originals from the files at any time after receipt of the termination statement. or if he has no such record, he may remove them from the files at any time after the financing statement would have lapsed under subsection (2) of Section 7-9--403(2). Microfilm or other photographic records may be removed and destroyed after five years after the financing statement would have lapsed under Section 7-9-403(2).

§ 16-25-27. Certified copies admissible as evidence

Official copies of records or documents maintained on microfilm, microfiche or other photo reproductive material of archival quality by the Teachers' Retirement System shall be admissible as primary evidence in any legal, judicial or administrative proceeding or action for the purpose of proving the truth of the contents of the photo-reproduced copies of such records or documents, regardless of any rule of evidence or law relating to the proof of such matters; provided, that the Secretary-Treasurer of the retirement system of Alabama shall certify on such copies offered into evidence that the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama is not in possession of the original and that the copy is a true and correct representation of the original.

§ 22-9A-20. Reproductions of certificates

The State Registrar, to preserve vital records, may prepare typewritten, photographic, microfilm, digital, electronic, or other reproductions of certificates or reports in the Office of Vital Statistics. The reproductions, when certified by the State Registrar, shall be accepted for all legal purposes as the original records. The documents from which permanent reproductions have been made and verified may be disposed of as provided by the State Records Commission.

§ 22-9A-21. Inspection of records

(f) When 125 years have elapsed after the date of birth or 25 years have elapsed after the date of death. The records of these events in the custody of the State Registrar shall become nonrestricted public records and any person may obtain copies of the records upon submission of an application containing sufficient information to locate the record and payment of the required fee. The records may be made available for viewing in photographic, digital, electronic, or other suitable format as provided for by rules of the board.

§ 22-9A-22. Certified copies

(a) In accordance with Section 22-9A-21 and any rules adopted pursuant to that section:

(1) The State Registrar and other custodians of vital records authorized by the State Registrar to issue certified copies shall upon receipt of an application issue a certified copy of vital records in his or her custody or a part of the record. The vital records may be in the form of originals, photographic, microfilm, digital, electronic, or other reproductions, or data filed by digital or electronic means. Each copy issued shall show the date of registration and copies issued from records marked "DELAYED REGISTRATION" or "AMENDED" shall be similarly marked and show the effective date. All forms and procedures used in the issuance of certified copies of vital records in this state shall be provided or approved by the State Registrar.

(2) A certified copy of a vital record or any part of the record, issued in accordance with this section, shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the copy, provided that the evidentiary value of a certificate or record filed more than one year after the event, or a record which has been amended, shall be determined by the judicial or administrative body or official before whom the certificate is offered as evidence.

§ 22-304. Regulatory authority- Powers of director

(c) The director, or any employee of the department designated by the director, may administer oaths to witnesses and may conduct hearings and investigations, and the director may sign and issue subpoenas requiring persons to appear before him, the department or any employee of the department designated by the director to give testimony or produce papers, books, accounts, payrolls, documents (including writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, electronic readings and other data compilations from which information can be obtained, translated, if necessary, by the person subpoenaed, through detection devices into reasonably usable form), records or tangible things and the department through its designated employees, shall have the power to serve said subpoenas upon such person either personally or by sending a copy of such subpoena through the United States mall, postage prepaid, which said mall shall be registered or certified with return receipt attached, such service being complete when said registered or certified mail shall be delivered to said person and such receipt returned to the department, or its designated employee, signed by the person sought to be subpoenaed. Obedience to a subpoena issued by the director may be enforced by application to any judge of the circuit court of the county. in which said subpoena was issued or to the judge of any circuit court in which such person subpoenaed resides in the same manner as is provided by law for the grand jury of a county to enforce its subpoenas and with the same penalty as provided therefor for the failure of any person failing or refusing to comply with such subpoena. The fees of witnesses for attendance and travel shall be the same as fees of witnesses before courts of record and shall be paid from the funds of he board.

§ 36-17-16. Destruction of cancelled state warrants and journals relating thereto

The state treasurer, may, in his discretion, destroy, or cause to be destroyed, any cancelled state warrants at any time after the expiration of one year after the close of the fiscal year in which the warrants were issued; provided. such warrants have been photographed or microphotographed as authorized by law. He shall likewise have the power and authority, to destroy, or cause to be destroyed, the journals pertaining to or covering such warrants. The state treasurer shall not be required to obtain the permission, approval or consent of any state officer, agency or commission to destroy such records, the provisions of any other law to the contrary notwithstanding.

§36-18-2. Duties

The duties of the director shall be to make such investigations, including any necessary autopsy, to be performed by physicians licensed to practice medicine in Alabama and recognized and trained in forensic medicine and pathology; provided, however, that the director may waive this requirement temporarily whenever a medical examiner vacancy exists which he is seeking to fill Said investigations of unlawful, suspicious or unnatural deaths and crimes as are ordered by the governor, the attorney general, any circuit judge, or any district attorney in the state of Alabama, and the director and his staff shall cooperate with the coroners, sheriffs and other police officers in Alabama in their investigations of crimes and deaths from unlawful, suspicious or unnatural causes. The director shall within his discretion visit the scene of any crime in the state for the purpose of securing evidence for the state. The director shall furnish a certified copy of his report of any investigation that the department conducts to the person or persons who ordered the investigation conducted. The director shall keep the original reports of all investigations that he conducts in his office; provided, that the director shall be authorized to photograph or microphotograph any record, document or photograph two years old or older currently maintained or acquired, received or produced in the future as a result of his duties as prescribed by law. Such photographs, microfilms or prints made there from. when duly authenticated, shall have the same force and effect at law as the original record or of a record made by any other legally authorized means and may be offered in like manner and shall be received in evidence in any court where such original record or record made by other legally authorized means could have been so introduced and received. In like manner, reproductions made from such records by photographic or like process, when otherwise in compliance with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, shall be received and treated in any court of this state as fully as would a transcription or reproduction of such records made by any other means or process. All original records, documents, and photographs two years old or older currently maintained and acquired in the future may be destroyed at the discretion of the director, provided photographed or microphotographed reproductions of the destroyed material are maintained. The director shall furnish a certified copy in the form of reproductions from the photographed or microphotographed reports of an>' investigation that he conducts to the person or persons who ordered the investigation conducted. The director shall keep photographed or microphotographed reproductions of original reports of all investigations that he conducts in his office. Reproductions of such materials shall be public records and shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times. Any person desiring reproductions of original reports shall be furnished same upon payment of the fee now prescribed by law.

§36-27-29. Copies of records as evidence

Official copies of records or documents maintained on microfilm, microfiche or other photo-reproductive material of archival quality by the employees' retirement system shall be admissible as primary evidence in any legal, judicial or administrative proceeding or action for the purpose of proving the truth of the contents of the photo-reproduced copies of such records or documents, regardless of any rule of evidence or law relating to the proof of such matters, provided the secretary-treasurer of the employees' retirement system of Alabama certifies on such copies offered into evidence that the employees' retirement system of Alabama is not in possession of the original and that the copy is a true and correct representation of the original.

§38-2-11. Reproductions of records

(a) Commissioner authorized to make reproductions and destroy originals

The Commissioner of Human Resources of the State of Alabama is authorized to make or to have made microfilm copies, photostatic copies or other similar photographic reproductions of all books, records, papers or other documents required to be maintained or kept by the department of human resources or any agency, division or employee thereof. The Commissioner of Human Resources is authorized to destroy or cause to be disposed of any books, records, papers or other documents which have been microfilmed, photostated or otherwise photographed. Such microfilms, photostats or other photographs shall be retained and kept in lieu of such books, records, papers or documents required to be kept or maintained.

Effect of reproductions; certification; admission in evidence

(b) Such microfilm copies, photostatic copies or other similar photographic reproductions of such above named documents shall for all purposes be deemed to be and have the force and effect of such documents themselves photostatic copy, photographic reproduction or other similar photographed typewritten copies or other copies of such original microfilm copy, photostatic copy or other similar photographic reproduction of such documents shall be duly certified to by the officer having custody of such original microfilm copy, photostatic copy or other similar photographic reproduction in the department of human resources, and must be received as evidence in all courts in the same manner and to the same extent as would be the duly certified copy of such documents themselves.

(c) Legislative intent

It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent to permit the commissioner to dispose of any books, records, papers or any other documents required by law to be kept or maintained by the department of human resources in the event that photographic reproductions of such books, records, papers or other documents are made or caused to be made by such commissioner, and to give such photographic reproduction the same force and effect as the book, record, paper or other document which has been so photographed and disposed of.

§40-2-12. Reproduction of records

The Commissioner of Revenue of the State of Alabama is authorized to make or to have made microfilm copies, photostatic copies, or other similar photographic reproductions of, or electronic reproduction or computer output microfilm of the data from, any books, records, returns, files, minutes, letters, correspondence, motor vehicle registration cards. reports, petitions, permits, applications, receipts, assessments, notices, and any other document required to be maintained or kept by the Department of Revenue or any agency, division, or employee thereof. The Commissioner of Revenue is authorized to destroy 6r cause to be disposed of, at any time after validation of the reproduction, any of the above named documents which have been microfilmed. photostated, or otherwise photographed or the data from which have been electronically or photographically recorded. Such microfilm, photostat, other photograph, computer output microfilm, or electronically recorded data shall be retained and kept in lieu of such documents required to be kept or maintained. The Revenue Department, in the disposition of its records, shall comply with the provisions of Title 41, Chapter 13.

§40-2-13. Evidentiary effect of reproductions

Such microfilm copies, photostatic copies, other similar photographic reproductions, computer output microfilm, or electronically recorded data of such above named documents shall for all purposes be deemed to be and have the force and effect of such documents themselves. A photostatic copy, photographic reproduction, or other similar photograph, or typewritten copy or other copy of such original microfilm copy, photostatic copy, other similar photographic reproduction of such documents, computer output microfilm., or electronically reproduced data, which has been duly certified to by the officer having custody of such original microfilm copy, photostatic copy, other similar photographic reproduction, computer output microfilm, or electronically recorded data in the Department of Revenue must be received as evidence in all courts in the same manner and to the same extent as would be a duly certified copy of such document itself.

§40-2-14. Disposal of original documents

It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent to permit the Commissioner of Revenue to dispose of any documents required by law to be kept or maintained by the Department of Revenue in the event that photographic reproductions of such documents, computer output microfilm, or electronically reproduced data are made or caused to be made by such commissioner and to give such photographic reproduction, computer output microfilm, or electronically reproduced data the same force and effect as the document which has been so photographed, electronically recorded, or recorded on computer output microfilm and disposed of. The Revenue Department, in the disposition of its records, shall comply with the provisions of Title 41, Chapter 13.