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Alaska Judicial Info
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The judicial branch in Alaska is a tiny branch, making up less than 1% of state government. It consists of three separate entities: the Alaska Court System, the Alaska Judicial Council and the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct, although the terms "judicial branch" and "court system" are often used interchangeably. Notwithstanding its small size, the judicial branch has more private citizens walk through its doors each day than virtually any agency in the executive branch.
Alaska has a unified, centrally administered, and totally state funded judicial system. Municipal governments do not maintain separate court systems. There are four levels of courts in the Alaska Court System, each with different powers, duties and responsibilities. The supreme court and court of appeals are appellate courts, which review and decide appeals from decisions made by the trial courts. The superior court and district court are trial courts, which initially hear and decide court cases. Jurisdiction and responsibilities of each level of court are set out in Title 22 of the Alaska Statutes and briefly described in this profile. The supreme court and the superior court were established in the Alaska Constitution. In 1959, the legislature created a district court for each judicial district and granted power to the supreme court to increase or decrease the number of district court judges. In 1980, the legislature created the court of appeals. The chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court is the administrative head of the Alaska Court System. An administrative director is appointed by the chief justice with concurrence of the supreme court. The director supervises the administration of all courts in the state. Rules governing the administration of all courts and the rules of practice and procedure for civil and criminal cases are promulgated by the supreme court.
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Added: Tue Jan 01 2002
Last Modified: Tue Jan 10 2012
