Each state’s constitution and laws establish the state’s courts, which interpret state laws (and generally not federal laws). A court of last resort, often known as a supreme court, is usually the highest court in the state. Some states also have an intermediate court of appeals. Below these intermediate courts of appeal are the state trial courts, where most lawsuits begin. State trial courts are referred to differently in different states—often as district courts, circuit courts, or superior courts.

State courts are often courts of general jurisdiction—meaning they hear all types of cases—involving criminal law, family law, probate law, and general disputes involving money and property. But more populated counties often have courts of specific jurisdiction, such as family courts that only hear family law matters (divorce, child custody, child support); criminal courts that only hear criminal matters; and probate courts that only handle the probate of estates and related litigation.

In Alabama, the judicial system is structured with a Supreme Court as the court of last resort, which is the highest court in the state. Below the Supreme Court is the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals and the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, which serve as intermediate appellate courts. These courts review cases from the lower courts upon appeal. At the trial level, Alabama has Circuit Courts, which are courts of general jurisdiction and handle a wide range of cases including criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Additionally, there are District Courts in Alabama that handle less serious criminal offenses, small claims, and some civil cases. Larger counties may have specialized courts such as Family Courts for family law matters and Probate Courts for estate issues. The state's court system is established and governed by the Alabama Constitution and state laws, and it primarily interprets and applies state law, rather than federal law.