Frequently Asked Questions

How can I access appellate opinions?: At the present time, the appellate opinions (and other legal information) is provided through Alalinc, which is a subscription service made available through the Supreme Court and State Law Library. Subscriptions currently run $200 per year and include access to: Alabama Supreme Court Decisions beginning October 1994, with full-text search; Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Decisions beginning October 1994, with full-text search; Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Decisions beginning October 1994, with full-text search; Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Decisions (Emory University website); U.S. Supreme Court Decisions (Cornell Law University website); Electronic Mail; and, access to the Internet. You may wish to read Alalinc's FAQ page.
How do I contact a particular justice or judge on the appellate courts?: Please direct your inquiry to the appropriate court of service. The Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals all reside at 300 Dexter Avenue, Montomgery, Alabama 36104. Email access is not provided. Here are the telephone numbers:
I need legal help and my resources are limited. What do I do?: By law, the appellate and library staff cannot provide legal advice; you may email questions to the Supreme Court and State Law Library's Reference Librarian or call them at 1.800.236.4069 or 334.229.0578 for assistance in other matters or to find the law library nearest you. If you have questions which can be answered by checking the Code of Alabama, go the the Alabama Legislature's website to conduct a search on the Code, Constitution, or pending legislation. If you need an attorney, the Alabama State Bar has a Lawyer Referral Service for a fee [or call 334.269.1515. or 1.800.392.5660 / email lrs@alabar.org]. If you are unable to afford an attorney, contact Legal Services Alabama, through their website, http://www.alabamalegalservices.org/, or by email at info@alsp.org Their website lists local contact phone numbers, including toll-free numbers. They are located at Suite 1200, 207 Montgomery Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104; phone: 334.832.4570.
I have a school report due, where can I find information on Alabama's legal system?: Look on our Appellate Overview page. Also, there are some state symbols to use for your report in the KidStuff! section. For more general historical information, please visit the student/teacher section of the Alabama Department of Archives and History's site at http://www.archives.state.al.us/ts.html. There are also some neat things at the Secretary of State's kids site, http://www.sos.state.al.us/kidsplace/.
I have questions concerning child support. Where do I go?: The Alabama Department of Human Resources handles child support matters. Their website is http://www.dhr.state.al.us, and their main telephone number is 334.242.9300. There is also a specific website solely for child support issues at http://childsupport.state.al.us/, including how to sign up for child support payment direct deposit. You may find other child support information, including forms, online at the Administrative Office of Courts website, http://www.alacourt.gov/Forms/CS_Series/.
Where can I find the child support guidelines (Rule 32)?: On AOC's website at rule32.pdf [PDF File]. They also have the schedule of basic child support obligations at obligations.htm.
I'm looking for legal resources for a family law problem, where do I find help?: The Adminstrative Office of Courts website has a division for family law at http://familycourt.alacourt.org/.