Alabama § 17-5-16 - Fraudulent Misrepresentation as Acting for Candidate, Etc., Prohibited; Automated or Pre-recorded Communications.
Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 17-5-16 — Fraudulent Misrepresentation as Acting for Candidate, Etc., Prohibited; Automated or Pre-recorded Communications., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-5-16. Fraudulent Misrepresentation as Acting for Candidate, Etc., Prohibited; Automated or Pre-recorded Communications.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person fraudulently to misrepresent himself or herself, or any other person or organization with which he or she is affiliated, as speaking or writing or otherwise acting for or on behalf of any candidate, principal campaign committee, political action committee, or political party, or agent or employee thereof, in a manner which is damaging or is intended to be damaging to such other candidate, principal campaign committee, political action committee, or political party.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any automated or pre-recorded communication initiated, conducted, or transmitted through an automated telephone dialing service to be conducted without providing clear notice at the ending of the phone call that the communication was a paid political advertisement and clearly identifying the person, nonprofit corporation, entity, principal campaign committee, or political action committee that paid for such communication.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to knowingly misrepresent, in any automated or pre-recorded communication that is a political advertisement and that is initiated via an automated telephone dialing service, the identification of the person, nonprofit corporation, entity, principal campaign committee, or political action committee that paid for such communication.
(d) The Attorney General of the State of Alabama shall have full power to investigate and enforce violations of this section and any owner, employer, agent, or representative of any automated dialing service found to be in violation of this section shall be guilty upon conviction of a Class A misdemeanor as provided in Section 17-5-19.
Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 17-5-16
What does Code of Alabama § 17-5-16 cover?
Section 17-5-16 ("Fraudulent Misrepresentation as Acting for Candidate, Etc., Prohibited; Automated or Pre-recorded Communications.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alabama § 17-5-16?
A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 17-5-16" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alabama law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.
How does Alabama § 17-5-16 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.