Code of Alabama
Ala. Code § 12-16-55 (2026)
Declaration of Policy.
✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
It is the policy of this state that all persons selected for jury service be selected at random from a fair cross section of the population of the area served by the court, and that all qualified citizens have the opportunity, in accordance with this article, to be considered for jury service in this state and an obligation to serve as jurors when summoned for that purpose.
(Acts 1978, No. 594, p. 712, §1.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 29
cases, 1979–2011 · leading case: Ex Parte Branch, 526 So. 2d 609 (Ala. 1987).
Ex Parte Branch, 526 So. 2d 609 (Ala. 1987). “"It is the policy of this state that all persons selected for jury service be selected at random from a fair cross section of the population of the area served by the court, and that all qualified citizens have the opportunity, in accordance with this article, to be considered…”
Gen. Motors Corp. v. Hopper, 681 So. 2d 1373 (Ala. 1996). “Acts 1978, codified at Ala.Code 1975, §§ 12-16-55 through 12-16-64; (4) The public policy of this State relating to jury service contemplates a uniform system throughout each county of the State, as evidenced by § 12-16-57, which specifically provides that the jury commissions…”
Ex Parte Bird, 594 So. 2d 676 (Ala. 1991). “712 (codified at Ala. Code 1975, § 12-16-55) (emphasis added).”
Ex Parte Bruner, 681 So. 2d 173 (Ala. 1996). “We then emphasized: "The trial court, in exercising the duties imposed upon it, must give effect to the state policy expressed in Sections 1, 6, and 22 of the Alabama Constitution and Code 1975, § 12-16-55 and § 12-16-56." 526 So.2d at 624 (emphasis in original).”
Beck v. State, 396 So. 2d 645 (Ala. 1981). “" Code 1975, § 12-16-55. Discrimination in jury selection is specifically prohibited.”
Pierce v. State, 576 So. 2d 236 (Ala. Crim. App. 1990). “The State responded that the jury venire list "was compiled from Montgomery in a random selection by a computer of people that hold a driver's license that live in Geneva County or an identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety." (R. 899) The trial judge denied…”
Lemley v. State, 599 So. 2d 64 (Ala. Crim. App. 1992). “" Ala.Code 1975, § 12-16-55. The next section of Article 2A, § 12-16-56, provides: " A citizen shall not be excluded from jury service in this state on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status.”
Moore v. Mobile Infirmary Ass'n, 592 So. 2d 156 (Ala. 1991). “" [18] The policy of this State, as expressed by the legislature in Ala.Code 1975, § 12-16-55, is that "all persons selected for jury service be selected at random from a fair cross section of the population of the area served by the court, and that all qualified citizens have…”
Thomas v. Diversified Contractors, Inc., 551 So. 2d 343 (Ala. 1989). “" Ala.Code 1975, § 12-16-55. The Legislature has wisely provided that a citizen shall not be excluded from participation or consideration for jury service "on account of race, color, religion, sex, national original or economic status.”
Clark v. Container Corp. of Am., Inc., 589 So. 2d 184 (Ala. 1991). “Code 1975, § 12-16-57); and no citizen can be excluded from jury service on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status (Ala.Code 1975, § 12-16-56). All persons selected for jury service must be selected at random from a fair cross section of the…”
Wood v. Woodham, 561 So. 2d 224 (Ala. 1989). “Ala.Code 1975, § 12-16-55, states: "It is the policy of this state that all persons selected for jury service be selected at random from a fair cross section of the population of the area served by the court, and that all qualified citizens have the opportunity, in accordance…”
Gordon v. State, 587 So. 2d 427 (Ala. Crim. App. 1990). “" Ala.Code 1975, § 12-16-55, states: "It is the policy of this state that all persons selected for jury service be selected at random from a fair cross section of the population of the area served by the court, and that all qualified citizens have the opportunity, in accordance…”
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