ALABAMA - STATE COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE

• NCJ Number: 58061
• Author(s): E S GURNY
• Editor(s): V S CASHMAN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 92 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-DF-99-0026; 76-DF-99-0052; 77-DF-99-0052; 78-DF-AX-0149
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: National Ctr for State Courts
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: STATE COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE SERIES

Annotation

THIS REPORT, ONE OF A SERIES DEALING WITH STATE COURT SYSTEMS, PROFILES THE ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE COURT SYSTEM IN ALABAMA.

Abstract

THE JUDICIAL POWER OF THE ALABAMA COURT SYSTEM IS VESTED EXCLUSIVELY IN A UNIFIED SYSTEM THAT CONSISTS OF A SUPREME COURT, A COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, A COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS, A TRIAL COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION KNOWN AS THE CIRCUIT COURT, A TRIAL COURT OF LIMITED JURISDICTION KNOWN AS THE DISTRICT COURT, A PROBATE COURT, AND MUNICIPAL COURTS. THE DEPARTMENT OF COURT MANAGEMENT, ESTABLISHED IN 1971, FUNCTIONS AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARM OF THE SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE. THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS HAS EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER MISDEMEANORS, INCLUDING ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS AND HABEAS CORPUS, AND FELONIES. THE COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS HAS EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE JURISDICTION IN CIVIL CASES WHERE THE AMOUNT INVOLVED DOES NOT EXCEED $10,000. THE CIRCUIT COURT HAS APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER CIVIL, CRIMINAL, AND JUVENILE CASES ORIGINATING IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND PROSECUTIONS FOR ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS ORIGINATING IN MUNICIPAL COURTS, EXCEPT IN CASES WHERE AN APPEAL GOES DIRECTLY TO A COURT OF APPEALS. THE CIRCUIT COURT, IN ADDITION TO ITS APPELLATE JURISDICTION, HAS EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OVER CIVIL ACTIONS INVOLVING $5,000 OR MORE AND ORIGINAL JURISDICTION CONCURRENT WITH THE DISTRICT COURT IN MATTERS INVOLVING MORE THAN $500. THE JUDICIARY IS EXAMINED IN RELATION TO QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, AND TERM OF JUDGES; DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDGES; COMPENSATION; RETIREMENT AGE AND ACTIVE SERVICE; CONTINUING EDUCATION; AND USE OF PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS. THE DETAILED PROFILE OF THE COURT SYSTEM CONCERNS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT, INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURTS, COURTS OF GENERAL AND LIMITED JURISDICTION, JUDGES, PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS, NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL, JUDICIAL POLICYMAKING-ADVISORY BODIES, COURT ADMINISTRATION, COURT FINANCING, AND COURT RECORDS AND STATISTICS. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE COURT SYSTEM, A LIST OF SOURCES CONSULTED IN PREPARING THE PROFILE, AND A CHART SHOWING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ALABAMA COURT SYSTEM AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS ON COURT ORGANIZATION ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)