Alabama is divided into two federal judicial districts: the Northern District of Alabama and the Southern District of Alabama. Both districts were established on March 10, 1824, when the state was divided into northern and southern districts.
Key Facts
- The United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (N.D. Ala.) is a federal court in the Eleventh Circuit. It was established on March 10, 1824, with the division of the state into a Northern and Southern district.
- The United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama (S.D. Ala.) is also a federal court in the Eleventh Circuit. It was established on March 10, 1824, along with the Northern District.
- The Northern District of Alabama holds court in Anniston, Birmingham, Decatur, Florence, Gadsden, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa.
- The Southern District of Alabama holds court in Mobile and Selma.
- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court.
- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court.
United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (N.D. Ala.) is a federal court in the Eleventh Circuit. It has jurisdiction over the following counties:
- Calhoun
- Clay
- Cleburne
- Colbert
- Cullman
- DeKalb
- Etowah
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Lamar
- Lauderdale
- Lawrence
- Limestone
- Madison
- Marion
- Marshall
- Morgan
- Pickens
- Shelby
- St. Clair
- Sumter
- Talladega
- Tuscaloosa
- Walker
- Winston
The court holds sessions in the following cities:
- Anniston
- Birmingham
- Decatur
- Florence
- Gadsden
- Huntsville
- Tuscaloosa
United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama (S.D. Ala.) is also a federal court in the Eleventh Circuit. It has jurisdiction over the following counties:
- Baldwin
- Choctaw
- Clarke
- Conecuh
- Dallas
- Escambia
- Hale
- Marengo
- Mobile
- Monroe
- Perry
- Washington
- Wilcox
The court holds sessions in the following cities:
- Mobile
- Selma
United States Attorney’s Offices
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court. The current United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama is Prim F. Escalona.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court. The current United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama is Sean P. Costello.
Sources
- 28 U.S. Code § 81 – Alabama
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
FAQs
What federal district is Alabama in?
Alabama is divided into two federal judicial districts: the Northern District of Alabama and the Southern District of Alabama.
What is the jurisdiction of the Northern District of Alabama?
The Northern District of Alabama has jurisdiction over the following counties:
- Calhoun
- Clay
- Cleburne
- Colbert
- Cullman
- DeKalb
- Etowah
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Lamar
- Lauderdale
- Lawrence
- Limestone
- Madison
- Marion
- Marshall
- Morgan
- Pickens
- Shelby
- St. Clair
- Sumter
- Talladega
- Tuscaloosa
- Walker
- Winston
What is the jurisdiction of the Southern District of Alabama?
The Southern District of Alabama has jurisdiction over the following counties:
- Baldwin
- Choctaw
- Clarke
- Conecuh
- Dallas
- Escambia
- Hale
- Marengo
- Mobile
- Monroe
- Perry
- Washington
- Wilcox
What is the difference between the Northern and Southern Districts of Alabama?
The Northern and Southern Districts of Alabama are two separate federal judicial districts with different jurisdictions. The Northern District has jurisdiction over the northern part of the state, while the Southern District has jurisdiction over the southern part of the state.
What is the United States Attorney’s Office?
The United States Attorney’s Office is the federal prosecutor’s office for a particular judicial district. The United States Attorney’s Office represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in federal court.
Who is the current United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama?
The current United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama is Prim F. Escalona.
Who is the current United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama?
The current United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama is Sean P. Costello.