# Ala. R. Crim. P. 1.1: Rule 1.1. Scope

> Alabama · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R1_1

## Section

- **Citation:** Ala. R. Crim. P. 1.1
- **Heading:** Rule 1.1. Scope
- **Jurisdiction:** Alabama
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Alabama Rules of Court / Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure / Ala. R. Crim. P. 1.1

## Text

Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure

Rule 1. Scope; Purpose, Objectives, and Construction; Computation and
Enlargement of Time; Definitions; Effective Date.

Rule 1.1. Scope.

These rules shall govern the practice and procedure in all criminal
proceedings in all courts of the State of Alabama, and political subdivisions thereof,
except as otherwise provided by court rule.

Committee Comments

These rules are promulgated by the Supreme Court of Alabama pursuant to
its rule-making power, Section 6.11 of the Judicial Article (Amendment No. 328 to
the Alabama Constitution of 1901), and are intended to make uniform the practice
and procedure for the conduct of criminal proceedings in all Alabama courts,
including municipal courts, whether or not they elect to come within the district court
system, except as otherwise provided. These rules do not apply to civil cases and
impeachment proceedings.

The term “criminal proceeding” is used consistently herein to include the
terms “criminal actions,” “criminal matters,” and “criminal cases” [See Rule 1.4(h)].
These rules are drawn to govern only practice and procedure, and not to affect the
substantive rights of any party. Recognizing the inherently difficult task of
delineating between substance and procedure, the Advisory Committee has been
aided by the opinions of courts of other states. The general guidelines followed by
other courts have been succinctly set out by the Georgia Court of Criminal Appeals
in Gaspin v. State, 76 Ga.App. 375, 378, 45 S.E.2d 785, 788 (1947):

“As relates to crimes, ‘substantive law’ is that which declares what
acts are crimes and prescribes punishment therefor. As relates to crimes,
‘procedural law’ is that which provides or regulates steps by which one who
violates a criminal statute is punished.”

## Nearby sections

- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 1.1 Rule 1.1. Scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R1_1.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 1.2 Rule 1.2. Purpose, objectives, and construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R1_2.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 1.3 Rule 1.3. Computation and enlargement of time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R1_3.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 1.4 Rule 1.4. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R1_4.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 1.5 Rule 1.5. Applicability of rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R1_5.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 2.1 Rule 2.1. Commencement of criminal proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R2_1.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 2.2 Rule 2.2. Prosecution of criminal proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R2_2.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 2.3 Rule 2.3. Contents of a complaint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R2_3.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 2.4 Rule 2.4. Duty of judge or magistrate upon making of a complaint](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R2_4.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 3.1 Rule 3.1. Issuance of arrest warrant or summons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R3_1.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 3.2 Rule 3.2. Contents of arrest warrant or summons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R3_2.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 3.3 Rule 3.3. Execution and return of arrest warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R3_3.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 3.4 Rule 3.4. Service of summons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R3_4.md)
- [Ala. R. Crim. P. 3.5 Rule 3.5. Defective arrest warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R3_5.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_AL_ARCRP_R1_1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.