Alabama. Circuit Court.

Source:

Alabama Government Manual, 1990.

Circuit courts were established in Alabama by the Constitution of 1819. The courts operate as general trial courts with appellate jurisdiction over inferior courts within the circuit. Circuit courts hear cases at law and in equity.

Each circuit court judge is selected by popular election from the appropriate judicial circuit. A judge must have all the qualifications required under the Constitution and must have resided in the circuit for at least one year preceding election. Circuit judges serve six year terms.

Circuit courts exercise jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. As of 1990, the state was divided into 40 judicial circuits ranging in size between one and five counties. The circuit court is required by law to hold court in each county regardless of the number of counties which comprise the circuit.

Under Article VI of Amendment No. 328 to the Constitution, circuit courts began in 1977 to exercise appellate jurisdiction over civil, criminal and juvenile cases in district courts and prosecutions for ordinance violations in municipal courts.

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145408226