§6-5-151. Order of abatement; sale of property.

(a) If the existence of the nuisance is admitted or established in an action as provided in this division, or in a criminal proceeding in the circuit court, an order of abatement shall be entered as a part of the judgment in the case, which shall direct the removal from the place of all personal property and contents used in conducting the nuisance not already released under authority of the court as provided in Sections 6-5-143, 6-5-145 through 6-5-148, and 6-5-150 and shall direct the sale of such thereof as belonged to the defendants notified or appearing in the manner provided for the sale of chattels under execution.

(b) Such order shall also require the renewal for one year of any bond furnished by the owner of the real property as provided in Section 6-5-148 or, if not so furnished, shall continue for one year any closing order issued at the time of granting the preliminary injunction or, if no such closing order was then issued, shall include an order directing the effectual closing of the place against its use for any purpose, so keeping it closed for a period of one year unless sooner released; but the owner of the place so closed and not released under bond as provided in Section 6-5-148 may appear and obtain such release in the manner and upon fulfilling the requirements as provided in such section.

(c) The release of the property under the provisions of this section shall not release it from any judgment, lien, penalty or liability to which it may be subject by law.

(d) Owners of unsold property and contents so seized must appear and claim same within 10 days after such order of abatement is made and prove innocence to the satisfaction of the court of any knowledge of said use thereof and that with reasonable care and diligence they could not have known thereof. Every defendant in the action shall be presumed to have had knowledge of the general reputation of the place. If such innocence shall be so established, such unsold personal property and contents shall be delivered to the owner; otherwise, it shall be sold as provided in this section.

(e) If any person shall break and enter or use a place so directed to be closed, he shall be punished for contempt as provided in Section 6-5-154.

(Acts 1919, No. 53, p. 52; Code 1923, §§9293, 9294; Code 1940, T. 7, §§1104, 1105.)