Ala. Code §§ 6-5-155 to 6-5-156.5 § 6-5-155.6
Issuance of Ex Parte Restraining Order; Service; Inventory of Property Relating to Nuisance; Violation of Order; Contempt of Court.
Operative Text
(a) The court, upon the application of the plaintiff, may issue an ex parte restraining order, restraining the defendant and all other persons from removing, or in any manner interfering with, the personal property and contents of the place where the drug-related nuisance is alleged to exist, until a decision of the court granting or refusing to grant a temporary injunction, or until further order of the court. (b) The restraining order may be served by handing it to and leaving a copy of the order with any person appearing to reside therein, or by posting a copy thereof in a conspicuous place at or upon one or more of the principal doors or entrances to the place, or by both delivery and posting. (c) The officer serving a restraining order shall forthwith attempt to make and return to the court an inventory of the personal property and contents situated in, and apparently used in, conducting or maintaining the drug-related nuisance. Any violation of the restraining order shall be a contempt of court, and where the order is posted, if it is removed or mutilated while it remains in force, is a contempt of court, provided that the posted order contains a notice to that effect.
Under Alabama Code § 6-5-155.6, a court handling a drug-related nuisance case may issue an emergency restraining order—without first notifying the opposing party—that freezes the personal property and contents at the location in question until the court rules on a temporary injunction or issues a further order. The order can be served by delivering a copy to anyone appearing to live there, by posting it prominently at the property's entrance, or by both methods. Once in place, any interference with the property covered by the order, or any removal or defacement of a posted copy, constitutes contempt of court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers should be aware that under Alabama Code § 6-5-155.6, a court can issue an ex parte order freezing all personal property at a location alleged to be a drug-related nuisance—potentially affecting an entire rental unit or building—before the owner has an opportunity to respond. A compliant operator generally ensures that any posted court order remains intact and undisturbed at the property, and refrains from moving or disposing of any contents covered by the order. Operators who receive or become aware of such an order typically consult legal counsel promptly to understand the scope of the freeze and their obligations during the pendency of the court proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Alabama Code § 6-5-155.6 gives courts the authority to issue an emergency order that prevents anyone—including residents—from removing or interfering with personal property at a location named in a drug-related nuisance action, even before a full hearing takes place. Tenants who find such an order posted at their home should understand that removing, defacing, or ignoring it can result in a contempt-of-court finding. Tenants in this situation may wish to contact a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how the order affects their belongings and what options may be available to them in the court proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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