Alaska Court of Appeals

The Alaska Court of Appeals is the state’s intermediate appellate court for criminal matters. The legislature created it in 1980 to lessen the burden on the Alaska Supreme Court, and it has a chief judge and three associate judges.[1]

Purpose and history

The Alaska Legislature established the court in 1980 as an additional appellate court. It takes criminal and certain quasi-criminal matters from the Alaska Supreme Court so that the supreme court can focus on civil cases. Unlike the United States Supreme Court, the Alaska Supreme Court must hear civil appeals in the first instance.[1]

Jurisdiction

The court hears criminal cases and certain quasi-criminal cases, including juvenile delinquency, along with habeas corpus and post-conviction relief, and probation and parole decisions. It also provides discretionary review of superior court decisions on criminal appeals from district court. It does not hear civil matters.[1]

Judges and selection

Judges are chosen by the Missouri Plan. The governor appoints from a list submitted by the Alaska Judicial Council, and candidates must be United States citizens, Alaska residents for five years, licensed in Alaska and have practised law actively for eight years. Judges face retention elections every eight years, the first at the first statewide general election more than three years after appointment, and the chief judge, chosen by the supreme court’s chief justice, serves a two-year term.[1]

Locations

The court regularly hears oral arguments from lower trial courts in Anchorage, and clerk offices for its memorandum opinions are in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.[1]

FAQs

When was the Court of Appeals created? In 1980.

Does it hear civil cases? No, only criminal and certain quasi-criminal matters.

How many judges does it have? Four.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Alaska Court of Appeals

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue