In Alabama, which court is appellate review for criminal cases at the highest level?

• A. Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
• B. Alabama Supreme Court
• C. United States Supreme Court
• D. District Court

Answer: (B)

In Alabama, the highest appellate authority for criminal cases is the Alabama Supreme Court. It sits above the Court of Criminal Appeals and is the final court of appeal for state criminal matters; decisions of the Court of Criminal Appeals can be reviewed or overturned by the Supreme Court, establishing it as the ultimate arbiter in the state. The United States Supreme Court handles federal questions and issues that cross state lines or involve federal law, not as the general appellate court for Alabama criminal cases. A District Court isn’t part of Alabama’s state appellate hierarchy, and typically refers to a federal trial-level court, not a state-level appellate body.