Opinion ID: 1711241
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Rollo's Medical Records

Text: Finally, Key argues that the Court of Criminal Appeals erred when it affirmed the trial court's ruling admitting into evidence Rollo's medical records during the testimony of Dr. Charles Wiggins. Key argues that the State failed to lay a proper predicate for the admission of the records, and that the records contain numerous inadmissible statements, such as, Rollo was trapped under the car and dragged for approximately 30 feet. The State argues that the records are properly admitted under §§ 12-21-5 through 12-21-7, Ala.Code 1975. There is a specialized business records statute in Alabama which renders admissible certified copies of hospital records that are kept in the regular course of the particular hospital's business. Copies of these hospital records, when properly certified, may be introduced into evidence without the production of the original and without the custodian of these records being present to lay a predicate. Charles Gamble, McElroy's Alabama Evidence § 254.01(9) (5th ed.1996)(footnotes omitted). The State also argues that at trial the prosecutor offered to allow Key to examine the records and find any portions he believed were inadmissible. Key declined the invitation. The Court of Criminal Appeals found that the trial Court did not err when it admitted the medical records. We agree, and we note that Key waived any objection to the admission of the medical records when he declined to review them for any objectionable material.