§ 13A-6-157 — Civil Action by Victims; Venue; Relief Awarded

Alabama § 13A-6-157

• Jurisdiction: Alabama
• Title 13A: Criminal Code
• Ch. 6: Offenses Involving Danger to the Person
• Art. 8: Human Trafficking

Text

(a) An individual who is a victim of human trafficking may bring a civil action in the appropriate state court.
(b) Venue for any action brought under this section shall be in the county in which the offense was committed or in any other county into or through which the person upon whom it was committed may have been carried in the commission of the offense. If venue is proper in more than one county, venue shall be in either county.
(c) The court may award actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, and any other appropriate relief. A prevailing plaintiff shall also be awarded attorney’s fees and costs. Treble damages shall be awarded on proof of actual damages where defendant’s acts were willful and malicious.
(d) The court shall award a prevailing plaintiff attorney’s fees and costs.
(e) Upon commencement of any action brought under this section, the clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the complaint or other initial pleading to the office of the Attorney General and, upon entry of any injunction, judgment, or decree in the action, shall mail a copy of the injunction, judgment, or decree to the office of the Attorney General.
(f) This section does not preclude any other remedy available to the victim under federal law or the laws of this state.

Legislative History

(Act 2010-705, p. 1708, §8; Act 2018-506, §1.)