AlabamaDistrict courts hear most protection order violation cases
Starting October 1, 2026, district courts hear most protection order violation cases, and covered cases already pending that day move there.
What it does
District courts have exclusive authority to hear most prosecutions for violating domestic violence protection orders. Juvenile cases and violations involving municipal court orders are excluded.
Covered cases still pending on October 1, 2026, move to district court, except juvenile cases and cases involving an order issued by a municipal court.
Argument forGiving district courts authority over most of these cases could make it clearer where prosecutions begin and where pending cases go.
Argument againstMoving covered cases to district court could create added travel or scheduling burdens for people involved, depending on where they must appear.
More detail
District courts have exclusive original authority over most prosecutions for violating domestic violence protection orders. This covers prosecutions for violations of domestic violence protection orders, except juvenile court cases and violations involving an order issued by a municipal court. Juvenile court cases are excluded. The exception in Section 12-12-32 remains. This rule does not apply to violations involving an order issued by a municipal court. This rule takes effect October 1, 2026.
Covered prosecutions pending on October 1, 2026, are transferred to district court. This applies to prosecutions pending on October 1, 2026, for a protection order violation or another action that would constitute one. Juvenile court cases are excluded. The transfer rule does not apply to violations involving an order issued by a municipal court. The transfer applies to covered prosecutions pending on October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 9EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 9Signature Requested
- Apr 8Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1259. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1324. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1325. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Judiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered (Judiciary)Minor
- Apr 8Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1324Major
- Apr 8Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1325Passed House
- Apr 8Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1259Major
- Apr 8Ready to Enroll
- Feb 25Reported Out of Committee Second House (Judiciary)
- Feb 25Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)Minor
- Feb 17Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Bell motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 443. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 444. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Judiciary 1st Amendment Offered (Judiciary)Minor
- Feb 17Bell motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 443Major
- Feb 17Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 444Passed Senate
- Feb 17Engrossed
- Feb 17Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 17Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)
- Feb 12Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)Minor
- Feb 11Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)
- Feb 11Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 20Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 20Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)Introduced
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