Every state has different, yet similar court systems. Here is a simple, yet in-depth look at Alabama’s court structure and an example of its annual caseload.
Alabama Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in Alabama. The Alabama Supreme Court has nine justices (five sit in panel or en banc. The Alabama Supreme Court works from an Appellate Jurisdiction level. This court oversees all civil appeals that exceed $50,000, appeals from the Alabama Public Service Commission and all certiorari petitions from the Court of Civil and Criminal Appeals.
Alabama Court of Civil Appeals
Alabama’s Court of Civil Appeals has five judges who sit in panel, usually three sit and judge a case with a senior judge serving as a presiding judge. This court has a mandatory jurisdiction in appeal civil cases with monetary values of less then $50,000. This court also receives some cases from the Alabama Supreme Court, if a case comes across the Supreme Court that fits more into the appellate jurisdiction.
Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
Alabama’s Court of Criminal Appeals has five judges that sit en banc, which means all five judges sit in on the case and judge. Members of the court elect the presiding judge in this court. All appeals dealing with felonies and misdemeanors are heard here. This court also hears all conviction writs and remedial writs in criminal trial courts.
Alabama Circuit Courts (Trial Courts)
Alabama has 41 Circuit Courts, with 143 judges presiding. Circuit courts in Alabama handle juvenile and domestic cases, also all felonies that exceed $10,000, misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, torts, contract and property rights up to $3000. Civil court has exclusive jurisdiction over criminal and civil appeals. Alabama Circuits Courts work concurrently with district courts in civil matters with monetary values between $3,000 and $10,000.
Alabama Probate Court
There is a total 68 Probate Courts in Alabama court system and there are 68 judges to preside in these courts. Probate courts have zero jury trials and these courts have limited jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is limited to wills, estates, guardianship of minors and incompetents, adoption, mental health and name changes. This court also holds records of births, deaths, marriages and divorces.
Alabama Municipal Court
Alabama’s Municipal Courts have 273 courtrooms and 279 judges to preside over the cases heard here and like Probate Court, there is no jury trials held here. This jurisdiction is limited to offenses of municipal ordinances like misdemeanor DWI/DUI, traffic violations and so forth.
Alabama District Court
Alabama has 67 District Courts and 103 judges presiding in these courts. Limited jurisdiction, which is limited to small claims and misdemeanors. The District Courts shares caseloads with Circuit Courts within the juvenile and civil matters with values between $3000 and $10,000. Has exclusive jurisdiction over civil matter that does not exceed $3,000.
2002 Caseloads for Alabama
Discretionary Petitions
Supreme Court – 1,130 cases filed, 1,193 cases disposed, 126 cases for each of the nine judges.
Civil and Criminal Appeals Court – No jurisdiction in discretionary petitions.
Selected Caseload
Supreme Court – 1,254 cases filed, 1,334 cases were disposed, 139 cases for each of the nine judges.
Civil court of Appeals – 1,293 cases filed, 1,306 cases were disposed, 259 cases for each of the five judges.
Criminal Court of Appeals – 2,645 cases filed, 2,746 cases were disposed, 530 cases for each of the five judges.
Statewide total Caseload for 2002 – 5,195 cases filed, 5,388 cases were disposed. Each of the 19 judges in the above-mentioned courts had an average of 273 cases each.
Juvenile Caseload
Circuit Court – 22, 906 juvenile cases were filed in 2002 and 22, 895 cases were disposed.
District Court – 33, 921 cases were filed and 32, 557 were disposed.
State Total – 56, 827 cases were filed and 55, 452 were disposed.
Trial Court Caseload – Civil
Circuit Court – 114, 814 cases were filed and 111, 440 were disposed.
District Court – 173, 772 cases were filed and 167, 794
Trial Court Caseload– Criminal
Circuit Court – 70, 849 cases filed and 70, 516 were disposed
District Court – 187, 512 cases were filed and 186, 468 were disposed.
Municipal Court – 152, 096 cases filed and 127, 799 cases disposed.
State Total – 410, 457 cases were filed and 384, 783 cases were disposed.
Source:
Alabama Unified Judicial System Structure Alabama Unified Judicial System Structure.
UJS Court Structure. Retrieved from http://www.alacourt.gov/CourtStructure.aspx
