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Rule 1.1 Scope.

RULE 1. SCOPE; PURPOSE, OBJECTIVES, AND CONSTRUCTION; COMPUTATION AND ENLARGEMENT OF TIME; DEFINITIONS; EFFECTIVE DATE.

Next → Rule 1.2: Purpose, objectives, and construction.

Rule Text

These rules shall govern the practice and procedure in all criminal proceedings in all courts of the State of Alabama, and political subdivisions thereof, except as otherwise provided by court rule.

Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)

This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.

These rules cover how criminal cases are handled in every court across Alabama, including local courts run by cities and counties. If you're involved in a criminal case anywhere in the state, these are the rules that guide how the process works, from arrest through trial and beyond.

There's one exception to keep in mind. If another court rule specifically says something different applies in a certain situation, that other rule takes priority instead. But in general, these rules are the main guide for how criminal cases move through Alabama's court system.

Committee Notes

Committee Comments

These rules are promulgated by the Supreme Court of Alabama pursuant to its rule-making power, Section 6.11 of the Judicial Article (Amendment No. 328 to the Alabama Constitution of 1901), and are intended to make uniform the practice and procedure for the conduct of criminal proceedings in all Alabama courts, including municipal courts, whether or not they elect to come within the district court system, except as otherwise provided. These rules do not apply to civil cases and impeachment proceedings.

The term “criminal proceeding” is used consistently herein to include the terms “criminal actions,” “criminal matters,” and “criminal cases” [See Rule 1.4(h)]. These rules are drawn to govern only practice and procedure, and not to affect the substantive rights of any party. Recognizing the inherently difficult task of delineating between substance and procedure, the Advisory Committee has been aided by the opinions of courts of other states. The general guidelines followed by other courts have been succinctly set out by the Georgia Court of Criminal Appeals in Gaspin v. State, 76 Ga.App. 375, 378, 45 S.E.2d 785, 788 (1947):

“As relates to crimes, ‘substantive law’ is that which declares what acts are crimes and prescribes punishment therefor. As relates to crimes, ‘procedural law’ is that which provides or regulates steps by which one who violates a criminal statute is punished.”