Judicial selection in Alabama
| Judicial selection in Alabama | |
 | |
| Alabama Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Alabama Court of Civil Appeals | |
| Method: | Partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals | |
| Method: | Partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Alabama Circuit Courts | |
| Method: | Partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Alabama District Courts | |
| Method: | Partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Alabama Probate Courts | |
| Method: | Partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
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Judicial selection in Alabama is largely a process of partisan elections.
Supreme Court
- See also: State Supreme Court justices and Alabama Supreme Court elections
The nine justices of the Alabama Supreme Court are elected in partisan elections to six-year terms on the court.
Should a vacancy occur between regularly scheduled elections, which take place in November of even-numbered years, an interim justice is appointed via gubernatorial appointment. Any justice appointed in this fashion must then stand for election in the next general election that occurs one year or more after beginning the interim appointment.
Justices of the Supreme Court are elected statewide and may reside anywhere in the state.
All justices must be licensed to practice law in the state of Alabama.
Civil and Criminal Appeals courts
The judges on the Court of Civil Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals are elected in partisan elections to six-year terms. Judges must stand for re-election every six years.[1]
Judges of the Civil Appeals and Criminal Appeals courts are elected statewide and may reside anywhere in the state.
Municipal courts
Municipal court judges are not elected to office. They are appointed by the governing body of the municipality. Full-time municipal court judges are appointed for four-year terms, while part-time municipal judges are appointed for two-year terms.
Vacancies in municipal court positions are filled by appointments made by the municipal governing bodies.[2]
Nominating commissions
Judicial nominating commissions are used to fill vacancies in Baldwin, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile, Talladega, and Tuscaloosa counties. Each county determines the size, composition, and procedures for its nominating commission.[3]
Changes in selection
1819
In 1819, all judges in the stated were elected for life (contingent on "good behavior") by votes of the state legislature.[4]
1830
In 1830, while judges were still chosen by the state legislature, they were now elected for six-year terms rather than for life.[4]
1850
Starting in 1850, the state went to a system of electing circuit court judges in popular elections.[4]
1867
In 1867, the law changed so that judges at all levels in the state were elected by popular vote.[4]
See also
External links
References
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