Rule 52 Anonymity in appellate proceedings, opinions, and case styles.

Committee Comments

This rule is to be observed in both criminal and non-criminal cases. This rule has particular application in cases involving juveniles charged with offenses that would be criminal except for the party’s status as a juvenile; proceedings to transfer a juvenile for trial as an adult; proceedings to terminate parental rights; proceedings involving children alleged to be dependent; adoption proceedings; criminal cases involving victims of sex offenses or child abuse or neglect; and appeals involving persons granted youthful offender status.

This rule contemplates that anonymity will be observed in the styling of cases by the use of such devices as styling cases sequentially as “Anonymous 1 v. State,” “Anonymous 2 v. State,” etc.; or styling cases with anonymous sequential initials, such as “A.A. v. State,” “A.B. v. State,” etc.; or styling cases with the parties’ initials, such as “R.G. v. State,” or “S.W. v. Department of Human Resources.” It contemplates that anonymity will be observed in the body of an opinion by such references as “the juvenile”; “A.R.”; “the child”; “the 14year-old”; “the victim,” etc. It also contemplates that the parties will use such references in their briefs, motions, and other papers filed with the appellate court when the court has so directed. Note from the reporter of decisions: The order amending, effective June 1, 2010, Rule 28(d)(8), Rule 32(a), and Rule 52, Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure, and adopting Rule 56 and the Court Comment to Rule 56, Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure, is published in that volume of Alabama Reporter that contains Alabama cases from ___ So. 3d.