Alabama
Alabama state laws, regulations, court decisions, and active legislation
Overview
Alabama's legal system is rooted in English common law with a constitution that is the longest in the world, containing over 900 amendments. The state's legal framework tends to be conservative, with strong protections for property rights and individual liberties as defined by the state's political traditions.
Alabama is an at-will employment state with right-to-work protections. Criminal law enforcement is robust, with the state maintaining the death penalty and relatively strict drug laws. The state has modernized some aspects of its legal system in recent years, including updates to its landlord-tenant law and adoption of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Court Structure
Alabama's court system has four levels: municipal courts for city ordinance violations, district courts for misdemeanors and small civil cases, circuit courts as the general trial courts with unlimited jurisdiction, and two appellate courts — the Court of Civil Appeals and the Court of Criminal Appeals — with the Supreme Court of Alabama as the court of last resort. Alabama is one of few states that elects all its judges through partisan elections.
Unique Laws & Facts
- •Alabama's constitution is the longest in the world with over 900 amendments, many applying only to specific counties
- •The state allows permitless carry of firearms for anyone 19 or older
- •Alabama is one of the few states that does not have a state lottery
- •The state has a unique system where many constitutional amendments apply to individual counties rather than statewide
Legal Landscape
Alabama's legal landscape is characterized by a conservative approach to governance with minimal state regulation of business, strong property rights, limited tenant protections, and a criminal justice system that includes the death penalty. The state generally follows federal minimums for employment and labor law, with few additional state-level worker protections.
Key Alabama Laws (4)
Driving Under the Influence
Alabama sets the DUI limit at 0.08% BAC with aggravated DUI at 0.15%. First offenders face fines up to $2,100, up to one year in jail, and a 90-day license suspension. Ignition interlock devices are mandatory for repeat offenders and high-BAC first offenders.
Permitless Carry of Firearms (HB 272)
Alabama enacted permitless concealed carry in 2023 for those 19+ (18+ military). No assault weapon bans, magazine limits, or waiting periods. Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground protections. Local gun regulations preempted. No universal background checks for private sales.
Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
Alabama limits security deposits to one month's rent and requires return within 60 days. Landlords must give 30 days' notice for termination and 7 days for non-payment. The state has no rent control or just cause eviction requirements.
At-Will Employment and Right-to-Work
Alabama is an at-will, right-to-work state with no state minimum wage (federal $7.25 applies). Local minimum wage ordinances are preempted. No mandated paid leave. Limited state anti-discrimination protections. Workers' compensation required for employers with 5+ employees.