Ala. Code § 15-11-7: Appearance by Counsel for Defendant; Separation of Witnesses; Control of Hearing.

In a preliminary examination, the defendant may appear by counsel and, on application, the court may direct the witnesses for the prosecution or defense, or both, to be kept separate so that they cannot hear the evidence or converse with each other until examined. Such an examination is under the control of the court and should be so conducted as to elicit the facts of the case.