§6-6-253. Interpleader by defendant of adverse claimant of property; force and effect of bonds given.

(a) If the defendant in a detinue action interpleads a claimant of the property and the defendant is discharged as provided in the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure and if the defendant has retained possession of the chattels, giving bond, the court may order the chattels to be delivered to such claimant on his giving bond with sufficient surety, to be approved by the clerk, payable to the plaintiff in the penalty of the bond of the defendant with condition that if he is not successful in the action he will, within 20 days thereafter, deliver the chattels and pay all such damages as may be assessed for the detention thereof and all costs adjudged against him. If such person refuses or neglects to give such bond for three days after service of his first pleading or motion in the action, the chattels must be delivered to the plaintiff on his giving bond with sufficient surety, to be approved by the clerk, payable to such claimant in the penalty of the bond of the defendant and with like condition. On the execution and approval of either bond, the bond of the defendant is discharged and must be cancelled.

(b) The bonds taken under this section, on breach of the condition thereof and on return of the sheriff as in the case of bonds taken from plaintiff or defendant in other actions for the recovery of chattels in specie, have the force and effect of judgments on which execution or other process may issue against all, or any, of the obligors. If such person, on notice, does not come in and defend, the judgment entered in the action bars him from commencing any action against the plaintiff or defendant for the chattels or the taking, conversion or detention thereof. If the plaintiff fails to give bond as provided in this section, the chattels must be delivered to the defendant.

(Code 1886, §2611; Code 1896, §2634; Code 1907, §6051; Code 1923, §10387; Code 1940, T. 7, §933.)