Section 13A-11-222 Unlawfully refusing to yield party line. - Alabama Statutes

Section 13A-11-222

Unlawfully refusing to yield party line.

(a) A person commits the crime of refusing to yield a party line if he intentionally refuses immediately to yield a party line after he is informed that it is needed for an emergency call.

(b) The term "party line" means a subscriber's line telephone circuit consisting of two or more main telephone stations connected therewith, each having a distinctive ring or telephone number.

(c) The term "emergency call" means a telephone call to a police or fire department, or for medical aid or ambulance service, necessitated by a situation in which human life or property is in jeopardy and prompt summoning of aid is essential.

(d) It shall be a defense to a prosecution under this section that at the time of the request the line was being used for another emergency call. The burden of injecting this defense shall be upon the defendant, but this does not shift the burden of proof.

(e) Unlawfully refusing to yield a party line is a Class B misdemeanor.

(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §5810.)