District Court Jurisdiction

Alabama's District Courts, generally have original jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors, hold preliminary hearings in felony prosecutions, and can receive guilty pleas in felony cases not punishable by death. In the 19th Circuit, the District Judges also have original jurisdiction in Juvenile Court actions. The District Judges exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Courts in civil actions where the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000; furthermore, the District Judges have exclusive jurisdiction over all civil actions where the amount in controversy, exclusive of interest and costs, does not exceed $6,000.00.