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What is the definition of a “victim” under Alabama domestic violence laws?

A domestic violence crime means a criminal act has allegedly occurred against an individual who, under Alabama law, has (or had) a specific relationship with the person who committed the crime. To be a “domestic violence victim” the person who was wronged by the criminal act must fall into one of seven categories.

Under  Alabama law, a “domestic violence victim” includes anyone in the following seven categories:

  1. Someone related by marriage (including common-law marriage) to the person committed the crime;
  2. Someone who was previously related by marriage (or common-law marriage) to the person who committed the crime;
  3. Anyone who has a child with the person who committed the crime. It does not matter whether or not they were ever married or have ever lived together;
  4. Anyone who has had a dating relationship with a person who committed the crime;
  5. Anyone who is a current or former household member; this instance there had to of been a living arrangement where they were engaged in either a romantic or sexual relationship;
  6. A relative of a current or former household member-as described in paragraph five above.
  7. Either a parent, stepparent child or stepchild who is presently in or has maintained a living arrangement the person who committed the criminal offense.

Alabama law casts a very broad net in defining who is a domestic violence victim.

I've tried to simplify the actual laws with the hope of clarifying things but. if you want to read the actual statute, it is reprinted here:

VICTIM. An individual who is related to the person who commits an act of domestic violence in any of the following ways:

a. Is related by marriage to the defendant, including a common law marriage.
b. Had a former marriage or common law marriage with the defendant.
c. Has a child in common with the defendant regardless of whether the victim and defendant have ever been married and regardless of whether they are currently residing or have in the past resided together in the same household.
d. Has or had a dating relationship with the defendant.
e. Is a current or former household member. A household member is a person maintaining or having maintained a living arrangement with the defendant where he or she is in, or was engaged in, a romantic or sexual relationship.
f. A relative of a current or former household member as defined in paragraph e. who also lived with the defendant.
g. An individual who is a parent, stepparent, child, or stepchild and who is in or has maintained a living arrangement with the defendant.
Section 13A-6- 139.1 (3) Code of Alabama, (1975)

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