Opinion ID: 1705013
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Challenges to a Statute on Constitutional Grounds

Text: In Rice v. English, 835 So.2d 157, 162 (Ala.2002), this Court, citing Ex parte Selma & Gulf R.R., 45 Ala. 696 (1871), reiterated the settled principle that the people have forbidden the Legislature from conducting itself in a manner inconsistent with their constitution and when it does, it is incumbent upon the judiciary to nullify a legislative enactment contrary to the constitution. We there stated that the authority of this Court to review challenges to acts of the, Legislature on constitutional grounds is a bedrock principle of our State's legal heritage. 835 So.2d at 163. However, in Ex parte Selma & Gulf R.R., this Court cautioned:  No power of this grave nature [i.e., judicial review of legislative acts] is expressly given. Considering its importance, it is a little strange that it has been wholly omitted. But, grant that it exists. It can not be permitted to rest upon mere inference and argument; because, if the inference is a mistake, or the argument is false, its exercise is an usurpation by one branch of the government against the authority of another. Did the people mean to grant such a power, unless some express clause of the constitution was clearly disregarded? I think not.  45 Ala. at 728 (emphasis added).