Alabama § 6-5-149 - Precedence of Action Over Other Cases; Evidence; Dismissal of Action; Continuance; Costs; Judgment.

§ 6-5-149. Precedence of Action Over Other Cases; Evidence; Dismissal of Action; Continuance; Costs; Judgment.

(a) The action, when commenced, shall have precedence over all other cases except injunctions.

(b) In such action, evidence of the general reputation of the place or any admission or finding of guilt of any person under the original laws against prostitution, lewdness, or assignation at any such place shall be admissible for the purpose of proving the existence of said nuisance and shall be prima facie evidence of such nuisance, of knowledge of and acquiescence and participation therein on the part of the person, or persons, charged with maintaining such nuisance.

(c) If the complaint is filed for the state by a citizen of the county, it shall not be dismissed except upon a sworn statement of the plaintiff or his personal representative or agent, and his attorney or of the officer filing the complaint, setting forth the reasons why the action should be dismissed and the dismissal be approved by the attorney filing the complaint in writing or in open court. If the court or judge is of the opinion that the action ought not be dismissed, he may direct the district attorney to prosecute such action to judgment at the expense of the county, and if the action is continued more than once, any person who is a citizen of the county, the Attorney General, the district attorney may be substituted for the plaintiff and prosecute said action to judgment.

(d) If the action is commenced by a person who is a citizen of the county and the court finds that there were no reasonable grounds or cause for said action, the costs may be taxed against such person.

(e) If the existence of the nuisance is established upon the trial, a judgment shall be entered which shall perpetually enjoin the defendants and any other person or persons from further maintaining the nuisance at the place complained of and the defendants from maintaining such nuisance elsewhere in the county.