Courts in Alabama

Courts in Alabama include Alabama's state court system and three federal district courts.

Alabama's state court system is divided into three levels of jurisdiction. The appeals courts preside over appeals of decisions made by the lower courts. The general courts have jurisdiction over most legal matters in Alabama, and can be appealed to from the lower courts. The limited courts operate at the county and city level.

Appellate Courts

Alabama Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is Alabama's highest court and has the authority to review the decisions reached by the lower courts. The Supreme Court is also authorized to review matters of contention where the dollar amount in question exceeds $50,000 (if no other Alabama court has jurisdiction).

Alabama Court of Civil Appeals

This court considers civil matters, including those related to domestic situations such as divorce, adoptions, child custody, etc. They will rule on cases appealed from certain state administrative agencies, such as worker's compensation. The Court of Civil Appeals also has jurisdiction in civil appeals where the amount in controversy does not exceed $50,000.

Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals

The Court of Criminal Appeals considers appeals from felony and misdemeanor trials/convictions.

Trial Courts

Alabama Circuit Courts

There are 41 Circuit Courts in Alabama. These courts are where the majority of legal matters in Alabama can be addressed. The Circuit Courts have jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions and in proceedings where the disputed amount is more than $10,000. They may also exercise jurisdiction in juvenile courts, in proceedings where the disputed amount is more than $3,000, and in certain appeals from lower courts.

Courts of limited jurisdiction

The limited jurisdiction courts in Alabama oversee such matters as probate, juvenile justice, small claims court, municipal court and district courts. "Alabama's 67 counties are divided into 41 separate judicial circuits. While some of Alabama's judicial circuits may consist of more than one county, courts of limited jurisdiction are found in each county."

Municipal Court

Municipal courts preside over cases involving municipal violations and criminal misdemeanors that fall within a city's police jurisdiction. Most Alabama cities have a municipal court.

Each county has one of the following:

Probate Courts

Probate courts deal with estate issues like wills, real property, adoption and so on.

Juvenile Courts

Juvenile courts have jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases where parties involved are under the age of 18. Alone among Alabama court systems, the juvenile court proceedings are considered confidential.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court is where cases concerning matters of less than $3,000 are taken.

District Courts

District courts handle the cases where the dollar amount in question is more than $3,000 (small claims) but less than $10,000 (circuit court). District courts also have jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors and preliminary hearings in felony prosecutions.

Judges per court

• The Alabama Supreme Court, the state's court of last resort, has nine justices.
• The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. This court was established in 1969 and has five judges who are elected to six-year terms on the court in partisan elections.
• The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. This court was established in 1969 and has five judges who are elected to six-year terms on the court in partisan elections.
• The Alabama Circuit Courts. These are the trial courts in the state of general jurisdiction. There are 40 such courts in the state, and they are served by 131 judges.
• 68 Alabama Probate Courts.
• 67 Alabama District Courts, served by 98 judges.
• 256 Alabama Municipal Courts, served by 228 judges.

Federal courts

The federal district courts in Alabama are:

• United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama

Each of these courts has a corresponding bankruptcy court:

• United States bankruptcy court, Southern District of Alabama
• United States bankruptcy court, Northern District of Alabama
• United States bankruptcy court, Middle District of Alabama

Rulings by these courts can be appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Restorative justice

Circle peacemaking

• Judge Tracy S. McCooey was responsible for the launching of restorative justice programs in Montgomery, Alabama. The programs focus on personal interaction.

She emphasizes how important the judge’s role is in transforming lives and how there is a need for action and connection outside the courtroom.

References