If you need help understanding a legal issue in Alabama, Go To Court provides free general legal information 24/7. Jen is an AI assistant, not a lawyer, and the information is not personal legal advice. You may separately request a one-hour consultation with an appropriately licensed Alabama attorney for a fixed $195 fee, subject to availability, conflicts checks, and the attorney accepting the matter. Any advice, representation, or other work beyond that consultation requires a separate agreement with the attorney. Call 1-844-482-0277 to get information or request a consultation. Go To Court is building its US attorney network, so an attorney may not be available in every location or for every matter.
Practice Areas in Alabama
Counties in Alabama
Browse 67 county legal-information pages
The Court System in Alabama
Alabama operates a four-tier court system designed to handle everything from minor infractions to major felonies and complex civil matters. At the foundation are the District Courts and Municipal Courts, which serve as the entry point for most legal matters. District Courts handle misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims up to $6,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. Municipal Courts deal with city ordinance violations and some traffic matters within city limits. The next level consists of Circuit Courts, which are Alabama general jurisdiction trial courts. These courts handle felony criminal cases, civil cases over $6,000, divorce and family law matters, and appeals from lower courts. Circuit Courts are organized into 41 judicial circuits across Alabama 67 counties. Above the trial courts sits the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals and the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. These intermediate appellate courts review decisions from lower courts - the Court of Civil Appeals handles civil matters while the Court of Criminal Appeals focuses on criminal cases. At the apex is the Alabama Supreme Court, the state highest court, which has discretionary jurisdiction over most cases and mandatory jurisdiction in certain matters like death penalty appeals. What makes Alabama distinctive is its specialized appellate structure with separate courts for civil and criminal appeals, unlike many states with a single intermediate appellate court. For official information, visit alacourt.gov.
Major Courts in Alabama
The Jefferson County Circuit Court in Birmingham is one of Alabama most significant courts, handling the largest volume of cases in the state including major felony prosecutions, complex civil litigation, and family law matters for the Birmingham metropolitan area. The Mobile County Circuit Court serves Alabama Gulf Coast region and handles significant criminal and civil cases for the Mobile area, including major federal drug trafficking cases that often originate in this port city. In the state capital, the Montgomery County Circuit Court deals with important state-level civil matters, criminal cases, and often handles cases involving state government entities and officials. The Madison County Circuit Court in Huntsville serves the rapidly growing Tennessee Valley region and handles a significant caseload including technology-related crimes and intellectual property disputes reflecting the area aerospace and tech industries. The Alabama Supreme Court in Montgomery serves as the state highest judicial authority, hearing appeals in civil cases and making final determinations on matters of state constitutional law. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, also located in Montgomery, serves as the final appellate court for criminal matters and handles all death penalty appeals in the state. These courts represent the backbone of Alabama judicial system, processing thousands of cases annually and establishing legal precedents that affect all Alabama residents, from routine traffic matters to life-changing criminal cases and complex business disputes.
Free — available now
Have a legal question about Alabama?
Call our free hotline right now — available 24/7, no obligation.