Code of Alabama

Ala. Code § 12-3-1 (2026)

Courts Created; Composition; Qualifications of Judges.

✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
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A Court of Criminal Appeals and a Court of Civil Appeals, each composed of five judges, possessing the qualifications of the Supreme Court justices, including, but not limited to, the qualifications provided in subsection (b) of Section 12-2-1, are hereby created and established.

(Acts 1969, No. 987, p. 1744, §1; Acts 1993, No. 93-346, p. 536, §4; Act 2009-562, p. 1632, §1.)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases, 1994–2018 · leading case: White v. State of Ala., 867 F. Supp. 1519 (M.D. Ala. 1994).
White v. State of Ala., 867 F. Supp. 1519 (M.D. Ala. 1994). · cites it 2× “Ala.Code § 12-3-1 (Supp.1994). Appellate judges are elected statewide for a term of six years.”
White v. State of Ala., 867 F. Supp. 1571 (M.D. Ala. 1994). · cites it 2× “Ala.Code § 12-3-1 (Supp.1994). Pursuant to an opinion issued today approving the proposed settlement, the courts of appeals will be expanded to seven judges each.”
White v. Alabama, 922 F. Supp. 552 (M.D. Ala. 1996). · cites it 4× “987 is codified at 1975 Ala.Code §§ 12-3-1 through 12-3-6, 12-3-8 through 12-3-13, 12-3-16 through 12-3-20, 12-3-23, and 12-3-25 through 12-3-33.”
Laurie v. Alabama Court of Crim. Appeals, 88 F. Supp. 2d 1334 (M.D. Ala. 2000). “The court finds that, pursuant to § 12-4A-1, the ACCA may create new positions and hire additional employees above and beyond those specifically designated in §§ 12-3-1 through 12-3-36. In other words, § 12-4A-1 is a general statute that expands and enlarges the number of…”
White v. State of Alabama, 74 F.3d 1058 (11th Cir. 1996). · cites it 2× “See Ala.Code § 12-3-1 6 The Alabama Constitution provides that, "The office of a judge shall be vacant if he dies, resigns, retires, or is removed.”
Beck v. Alabama Bd. of Pardons & Paroles, 907 So. 2d 1096 (Ala. Crim. App. 2005). “See § 12-3-1, Ala.Code 1975. The appellate jurisdiction of each of the newly created courts was established by statute.”
Laurie v. Alabama Court of Crim. Appeals, 88 F. Supp. 2d 1334 (M.D. Ala. 2000). “The court finds that, pursuant to § 12-4A-1, the ACCA may create new positions and hire additional employees above and beyond those specifically designated in §§ 12-3-1 through 12-3-36. In other words, § 12-4A-1 is a general statute that expands and enlarges the number of…”
C.B.W.N. v. K.P.R., 266 So. 3d 47 (Ala. Civ. App. 2018). “The stepfather filed his notice of appeal to this court on August 21, 2017.”
C.B.W.N. v. K.P.R., 266 So. 3d 47 (Ala. Civ. App. 2018). “The stepfather filed his notice of appeal to this court on August 21, 2017.”
White v. State of Alabama, 74 F.3d 1058 (11th Cir. 1996). “See Ala. Code § 12-3-1 (1995). The elections for appellate judges have continued to be partisan and held at large, and the Governor has continued to fill mid-term vacancies.”
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