Alaska Statutes

Alaska R. Crim. P. 18 (2026)

Rule 18. Venue: Place of Trial

✓ current as of July 2026
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Rule 18. Venue: Place of Trial. (a) Venue Districts. The venue map promulgated by the supreme court establishes the district and superior court venue districts and the presumptive trial site for each district. The venue map includes a chart listing each community that appears on the map along with each community’s presumptive district court trial site and presumptive superior court trial site. (b) Determination of Trial Location. (1) Initial Assignment. A Criminal case must be initially assigned for trial at the presumptive trial site for the district or superior court venue district, as determined by reference to the venue map and community chart described in (a) of this rule, in which the crime is alleged to have occurred. (2) Transfer to Approved Additional Trial Site. As provided in (e) of this rule, the defendant may cause venue to be transferred to a trial site on the list of approved additional trial sites described in (d) of this rule. (3) Change of Venue. Either party may move to change venue as provided in (g) of this rule. (c) Additional Trial Site Standards. Subject to supreme court approval, the administrative director shall devise and promulgate an administrative bulletin establishing minimum standards for additional trial sites, including standards for courtroom needs and standards for transportation, housing, and feeding of all trial participants. (d) List of Approved Additional Trial Sites. The administrative director shall promulgate an administrative bulletin listing approved additional trial sites for six- and twelve-person juries meeting the standards established under (c) of this rule. Changes in the list may be made as follows: (1) A presiding judge, area court administrator, town council, or similar public representative group, or the attorney general, the public defender, or the public advocate may ask the administrative director for an investigation to determine whether a community should be added to or deleted from the list. (2) The administrative director will distribute the list of approved additional trial sites to the attorney general, the public defender, and the public advocate. (e) Motion to Transfer by Right. After assignment to the presumptive trial site, a defendant may move by right for the setting of venue in an approved additional trial site within the venue district where the crime charged is alleged to have occurred if such site is the trial site nearest the place where the crime charged is alleged to have occurred. This right is waived unless the defendant requests the transfer within ten days after the defendant enters a plea, absent good cause for an extension of this time limit. (f) Fair Cross-Section. If the trial location assignment under the above subsections will not provide a petit jury which is a representative cross-section of the appropriate community, the trial court on its own motion or that of a party may change the jury selection area as provided in Administrative Rule 15(h)(3). (g) Change of Venue. Any other motion for a change of venue shall be determined under the standards listed in AS 22.10.040. (h) Limitations of Rule. The presumptive trial sites established by this rule do not determine the court location where a criminal case must be filed or the court location where pretrial proceedings take place. (Adopted by SCO 4 effective October 4, 1959; amended by SCO 136 effective September 2, 1971; by SCO 157 effective February 15, 1973; by SCO 666 effective January 1, 1986; by SCO 670 effective March 15, 1986; by SCO 682 effective May 15, 1986; by SCO 1334 effective July 15, 1998; by SCO 1348 effective October 1, 1998; by SCO 1644 effective October 15, 2007; by SCO 1645 effective July 1, 2007; by SCO 1754 effective October 14, 2011; by SCO 1837 effective July 15, 2014; by SCO 1846 effective January 1, 2015; by SCO 1857 effective July 1, 2015; by SCO 1866 effective July 1, 2015; by SCO 1860 effective October 15, 2015; by SCO 1870(3) effective May 15, 2016; SCO 1916 effective January 1, 2018; and by SCO 1933(1) effective October 15, 2018) Note: Administrative Bulletin 28 establishes the minimum standards for additional trial site locations and is available on the court system’s website: [http://www. courts.alaska.gov/adbulls/ab28.pdf], in law libraries, and from the office of the court rules attorney, 820 W. 4th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 264-8231. Administrative Bulletin 27 lists approved additional trial site locations, and is included at the end of this rule. Note: The boundaries of the Anchorage venue district, the Seward venue district, and the Kenai venue district were changed by SCO 1348 effective October 1, 1998. A copy of this order is available in law libraries and from the court rules attorney. Note: The venue map promulgated by the supreme court and the community chart referenced in subsection (a) of this rule are available on the Alaska Court System website at: http://www.courts.alaska.gov/rules/index.htm#venue

RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Rule 18 Community Appearing on Venue Map Presumptive District Court Trial Site Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site Adak Unalaska Unalaska Afognak Kodiak Kodiak Akhiok Kodiak Kodiak Akiachak Bethel Bethel Akiak Bethel Bethel Akutan Unalaska Unalaska Alakanuk Emmonak Bethel Alatna Nenana Nenana Alcan Tok Tok Aleknagik Dillingham Dillingham Allakaket Nenana Nenana Ambler Kotzebue Kotzebue Anaktuvuk Pass Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Anchor Point Homer Homer Anchorage Anchorage Anchorage Anderson Nenana Nenana Angoon Angoon Sitka Aniak Aniak Bethel Anvik Aniak Bethel Arctic Village Fort Yukon Fairbanks Atka Unalaska Unalaska Atmautluak Bethel Bethel Atqasuk Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Attu Unalaska Unalaska Auke Bay Juneau Juneau Ayakulik Kodiak Kodiak Barrow Barrow Barrow Beaver Fort Yukon Fairbanks Belkofski Sand Point Anchorage Beluga Kenai Kenai Bethel Bethel Bethel Bettles Nenana Nenana Big Delta Delta Junction Delta Junction Big Lake Palmer Palmer Bill Moores Emmonak Bethel Birch Creek Fort Yukon Fairbanks Boundary Tok Tok Brevig Mission Nome Nome Buckland Kotzebue Kotzebue Candle Kotzebue Kotzebue Cantwell Nenana Nenana Central Fairbanks Fairbanks Chalkyitsik Fort Yukon Fairbanks Chase Palmer Palmer Chefornak Bethel Bethel Chena Hot Springs Fairbanks Fairbanks Chenega Seward Seward Chevak Bethel Bethel Chickaloon Palmer Palmer Chicken Tok Tok Chignik Naknek Naknek

Community Appearing on Venue Map Presumptive District Court Trial Site Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site Chignik Lagoon Naknek Naknek Chignik Lake Naknek Naknek Chiniak Kodiak Kodiak Chisana Tok Tok Chistochina Glennallen Glennallen Chitina Glennallen Glennallen Chuathbaluk Aniak Bethel Chugiak Anchorage Anchorage Chuloonawick Emmonak Bethel Circle Fairbanks Fairbanks Circle Hot Springs Fairbanks Fairbanks Clam Gulch Kenai Kenai Clarks Point Dillingham Dillingham Coffman Cove Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Cohoe Kenai Kenai Cold Bay Sand Point Anchorage Coldfoot Nenana Nenana Cooper Landing Seward Seward Copper Center Glennallen Glennallen Cordova Cordova Cordova Council Nome Nome Craig Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Crooked Creek Aniak Bethel Deadhorse Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Deering Kotzebue Kotzebue Delta Junction Delta Junction Delta Junction Dillingham Dillingham Dillingham Diomede Nome Nome Dot Lake Tok Tok Douglas Juneau Juneau Dry Creek Delta Junction Delta Junction Dutch Harbor Unalaska Unalaska Eagle Tok Tok Eagle River Anchorage Anchorage Eagle Village Tok Tok Edna Bay Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Eek Bethel Bethel Egegik Naknek Naknek Eklutna Anchorage Anchorage Ekuk Dillingham Dillingham Ekwok Dillingham Dillingham Elfin Cove Sitka Sitka Elim Nome Nome Emmonak Emmonak Bethel Ester Fairbanks Fairbanks Evansville Nenana Nenana Excursion Inlet Hoonah Juneau Eyak Cordova Cordova Fairbanks Fairbanks Fairbanks False Pass Sand Point Anchorage Ferry Nenana Nenana

RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Rule 18 Community Appearing on Venue Map Presumptive District Court Trial Site Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site Flat Aniak Bethel Fort Yukon Fort Yukon Fairbanks Fox Fairbanks Fairbanks Gakona Glennallen Glennallen Galena Galena Nenana Gambell Nome Nome Georgetown Aniak Bethel Girdwood Anchorage Anchorage Glennallen Glennallen Glennallen Golovin Nome Nome Goodnews Bay Bethel Bethel Grayling Aniak Bethel Gulkana Glennallen Glennallen Gustavus Hoonah Juneau Haines Haines Juneau Halibut Cove Homer Homer Hamilton Emmonak Bethel Happy Valley Homer Homer Harding-Birch Lakes Fairbanks Fairbanks Healy Nenana Nenana Healy Lake Delta Junction Delta Junction Hobart Bay Petersburg Petersburg Hollis Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Holy Cross Aniak Bethel Homer Homer Homer Hoonah Hoonah Juneau Hooper Bay Bethel Bethel Hope Anchorage Anchorage Houston Palmer Palmer Hughes Nenana Nenana Huslia Galena Nenana Hydaburg Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Hyder Ketchikan Ketchikan Iditarod Aniak Bethel Igiugig Naknek Naknek Iliamna Naknek Naknek Ivanof Bay Naknek Naknek Juneau Juneau Juneau Kachemak Homer Homer Kaguyak Kodiak Kodiak Kake Petersburg Petersburg Kaktovik Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Kalifornsky Kenai Kenai Kaltag Galena Nenana Karluk Kodiak Kodiak Kasaan Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Kasigluk Bethel Bethel Kasilof Kenai Kenai Kenai Kenai Kenai Kenny Lake Glennallen Glennallen Ketchikan Ketchikan Ketchikan

Community Appearing on Venue Map Presumptive District Court Trial Site Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site Kiana Kotzebue Kotzebue King Cove Sand Point Anchorage King Island Nome Nome King Salmon Naknek Naknek Kipnuk Bethel Bethel Kivalina Kotzebue Kotzebue Klawock Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Klukwan Haines Juneau Knik Palmer Palmer Kobuk Kotzebue Kotzebue Kodiak Kodiak Kodiak Kokhanok Naknek Naknek Koliganek Dillingham Dillingham Kongiganak Bethel Bethel Kotlik Emmonak Bethel Kotzebue Kotzebue Kotzebue Koyuk Unalakleet Nome Koyukuk Galena Nenana Kupreanof Petersburg Petersburg Kwethluk Bethel Bethel Kwigillingok Bethel Bethel Lake Louise Palmer Palmer Lake Minchumina Aniak Bethel Larsen Bay Kodiak Kodiak Levelock Naknek Naknek Lignite Nenana Nenana Lime Village Aniak Bethel Livengood Nenana Nenana Lower Kalskag Aniak Bethel Lower Tonsina Glennallen Glennallen Manley Hot Springs Nenana Nenana Manokotak Dillingham Dillingham Marshall Bethel Bethel Marys Igloo Nome Nome McCarthy Glennallen Glennallen McGrath Aniak Bethel McKinley Park Nenana Nenana Medfra Aniak Bethel Mekoryuk Bethel Bethel Mendeltna Glennallen Glennallen Mentasta Lake Glennallen Glennallen Metlakatla Ketchikan Ketchikan Meyers Chuck Ketchikan Ketchikan Minto Nenana Nenana Moose Creek Fairbanks Fairbanks Moose Pass Seward Seward Mountain Village Bethel Bethel Nabesna Glennallen Glennallen Naknek Naknek Naknek Nanwalek Homer Homer Napaimiut Aniak Bethel

RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Rule 18 Community Appearing on Venue Map Presumptive District Court Trial Site Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site Napakiak Bethel Bethel Napaskiak Bethel Bethel Naukati Bay Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Nelchina Glennallen Glennallen Nelson Lagoon Sand Point Anchorage Nenana Nenana Nenana New Stuyahok Dillingham Dillingham Newhalen Naknek Naknek Newtok Bethel Bethel Nightmute Bethel Bethel Nikiski Kenai Kenai Nikolaevsk Homer Homer Nikolai Aniak Bethel Nikolski Unalaska Unalaska Ninilchik Homer Homer Noatak Kotzebue Kotzebue Nome Nome Nome Nondalton Naknek Naknek Noorvik Kotzebue Kotzebue North Pole Fairbanks Fairbanks Northway Tok Tok Northway Junction Tok Tok Nuiqsut Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Nulato Galena Nenana Nunam Iqua Emmonak Bethel Nunapitchuk Bethel Bethel Ohogamiut Bethel Bethel Old Harbor Kodiak Kodiak Ophir Aniak Bethel Oscarville Bethel Bethel Ouzinkie Kodiak Kodiak Paimiut Bethel Bethel Palmer Palmer Palmer Pauloff Harbor Sand Point Anchorage Paxson Glennallen Glennallen Pedro Bay Naknek Naknek Pelican Sitka Sitka Perryville Naknek Naknek Petersburg Petersburg Petersburg Petersville Palmer Palmer Pilot Point Naknek Naknek Pilot Station Bethel Bethel Pitkas Point Bethel Bethel Platinum Bethel Bethel Pleasant Valley Fairbanks Fairbanks Point Baker Petersburg Petersburg Point Hope Kotzebue Kotzebue Point Lay Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Port Alexander Sitka Sitka Port Alsworth Naknek Naknek Port Clarence Nome Nome

Community Appearing on Venue Map Presumptive District Court Trial Site Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site Port Graham Homer Homer Port Heiden Naknek Naknek Port Lions Kodiak Kodiak Port Moller Sand Point Anchorage Port Protection Petersburg Petersburg Portage Creek Dillingham Dillingham Primrose Seward Seward Prudhoe Bay Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Quinhagak Bethel Bethel Rampart Nenana Nenana Red Devil Aniak Bethel Red Dog Mine Kotzebue Kotzebue Ruby Galena Nenana Russian Mission Bethel Bethel Saint George Saint Paul Anchorage Saint Marys Bethel Bethel Saint Michael Unalakleet Nome Saint Paul Saint Paul Anchorage Salamatof Kenai Kenai Salcha Fairbanks Fairbanks Sand Point Sand Point Anchorage Savoonga Nome Nome Saxman Ketchikan Ketchikan Scammon Bay Bethel Bethel Selawik Kotzebue Kotzebue Seldovia Homer Homer Seward Seward Seward Shageluk Aniak Bethel Shaktoolik Unalakleet Nome Shemya Station Unalaska Unalaska Shishmaref Nome Nome Shungnak Kotzebue Kotzebue Sitka Sitka Sitka Skagway Skagway Juneau Skwentna Palmer Palmer Slana Glennallen Glennallen Sleetmute Aniak Bethel Soldotna Kenai Kenai Solomon Nome Nome South Naknek Naknek Naknek Stebbins Unalakleet Nome Sterling Kenai Kenai Stevens Village Fort Yukon Fairbanks Stony River Aniak Bethel Summit Lake Glennallen Glennallen Susitna Palmer Palmer Sutton Palmer Palmer Takotna Aniak Bethel Talkeetna Palmer Palmer Tanacross Tok Tok Tanana Nenana Nenana

RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Rule 18 Community Appearing on Venue Map Presumptive District Court Trial Site Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site Tatitlek Valdez Valdez Tazlina Glennallen Glennallen Telida Aniak Bethel Teller Nome Nome Tenakee Springs Hoonah Juneau Tetlin Tok Tok Tetlin Junction Tok Tok Thorne Bay Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Tin City Nome Nome Togiak Dillingham Dillingham Tok Tok Tok Toksook Bay Bethel Bethel Tonsina Glennallen Glennallen Tuluksak Bethel Bethel Tuntutuliak Bethel Bethel Tununak Bethel Bethel Twin Hills Dillingham Dillingham Two Rivers Fairbanks Fairbanks Tyonek Kenai Kenai Uganik Kodiak Kodiak Ugashik Naknek Naknek Umkumiut Bethel Bethel Unalakleet Unalakleet Nome Unalaska Unalaska Unalaska Unga Sand Point Anchorage Upper Kalskag Utqiaġvik Aniak Utqiaġvik Bethel Utqiaġvik Uyak Kodiak Kodiak Valdez Valdez Valdez Venetie Fort Yukon Fairbanks Wainwright Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Wales Nome Nome Wasilla Palmer Palmer Waterfall Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) Whale Pass Prince of Wales (Klawock) Prince of Wales (Klawock) White Mountain Nome Nome Whittier Anchorage Anchorage Willow Palmer Palmer Willow Creek Glennallen Glennallen Wiseman Nenana Nenana Womens Bay Kodiak Kodiak Woody Island Kodiak Kodiak Wrangell Wrangell Wrangell Yakutat Yakutat Juneau Note: Utqiaġvik was formerly known as Barrow.

ALASKA COURT SYSTEM OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN NO. 27 (AMENDED EFFECTIVE November 16, 2023) TO: ALL HOLDERS OF ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN SETS All Justices All Magistrate Judges All Judges Senior Staff Area Court Administrators Clerk of the Appellate Courts Rural Court Administrators Central Services Supervisor All Clerks of Court Judicial Services APD Warrants Law Libraries at Anchorage, Fairbanks &, Juneau SUBJECT: List of Approved Additional Trial Site Locations The following sites are approved additional trial site locations under Criminal Rule 18(d): Add’l Trial Sites for Add’l Trial Sites for Six-Person Juries Twelve-Person Juries First District Angoon X Haines X Kake X Second District Pt. Hope X Unalakleet X Third District St. Paul X Sand Point X Date: November 16, 2023 /s/ Effective: November 16, 2023 Stacey Marz Administrative Director This bulletin applies to motions filed under Criminal Rule 18(e) on or after November 16, 2023. Original order in effect since July 23, 1986; amended August 17, 1987, effective January 15, 1988; amended January 19, 1988, effective July 15, 1988; amended June 6, 1988, effective January 15, 1989; amended October 18, 1988, effective January 15, 1989; amended December 13, 1993, effective July 15, 1997; amended October 15, 2002, effective October 15, 2002; amended February 19, 2004, effective April 15, 2004; amended November 8, 2004, effective November 8, 2004; amended August 17, 2005, effective October 15, 2005; amended March 8, 2007, effective March 8, 2007; amended June 29, 2007, effective July 1, 2007; amended July 25, 2008, effective October 15, 2008; amended April 2, 2009, effective April 15, 2009; amended April 15, 2010, effective May 1, 2010; amended July 28, 2014, effective October 15, 2014; amended January 5, 2015, effective January 1, 2015; amended August 7, 2018, effective October 15, 2018; revised November 16, 2023. cc: Attorney General Public Defender Public Advocate Alaska Bar Association

RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Rule 24