SB279 Alabama 2022 Session

Under existing law, the Chief Justice and eight associate justices of the Alabama Supreme Court are elected by popular vote from the state at large.

Under existing law, the judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Civil Appeals are elected by popular vote from the state at large.

Under existing law, the presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals is elected from the members of the court.

Under existing law, the presiding judge of the Court of Civil Appeals is the longest serving judge on the court.

This bill would provide that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the presiding judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals and Court of Civil Appeals be elected by popular vote from the state at large.

This bill would provide for the election of associate justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the appellate courts by district and would provide for the districts.

Under existing law, the seats on the Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeals have been given place names.

This bill would modify the place names for certain existing seats on the Courts of Appeals.

This bill would also repeal the existing law relating to the selection of the presiding judge of the Courts of Appeals.

Relating to courts; to amend Sections 12-2-1, 12-3-2, 12-3-3, 12-3-4, 17-6-48, and 17-6-48.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the election of justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the appellate courts; and to repeal Section 12-3-4, Code of Alabama 1975.