Alabama Court of the Judiciary

The Alabama Court of the Judiciary is a court within the judicial branch of the United States state of Alabama. It has the power to try judicial officers in other state courts and punish them for violation of judicial ethics, misconduct, dereliction of duty, or incapacitation.

The Court is convoked to hear complaints of the state Judicial Inquiry Commission.

The Court is composed of the following:

• An appellate judge selected by the Supreme Court from a court other than the Supreme Court — Ex officio Chief Judge of the Court
• Two circuit judges selection by the "District Judges' Association"
• One district judge selected by the same.
• Two members of the Alabama State Bar and chosen by them.
• Three nonlegal professionals picked by the Governor of Alabama and agreed to by the Alabama Senate.

Prior to 2005, the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama was able to pick one of the three nonlegal members.

Following the results of a trial, the judge(s) in question may, if they wish, appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.

Relationship with impeachment

As is typical with most state legislatures, supreme court judges in Alabama can be impeached. However, Amendment 580 of the state constitution places the Court of the Judiciary at a higher priority than legislative action. E.g., a judge cannot be impeached while being tried by the Court, and should a prosecution in the Court fail, the legislature may not prefer an impeachment for the same reasons.

Sources

• Alabama Judicial System Online - Court of the Judiciary