§12-3-4. Presiding judges.

(a) The presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals shall be elected by the members of such court for a term to be set by such court, in no event for a longer time than the term for which such judge is chosen.

(b) The presiding judge of the Court of Civil Appeals shall be the judge of such court who has served the longest period of time as judge of such court. In cases of equal seniority, the presiding judge shall be chosen as follows:

(1) If more than one judge was elected at the same election, the presiding judge shall be elected by lot from the judges who are so situated, and shall serve as presiding judge for the term which he is then filling as a judge of such court.

(2) If more than one judge was appointed by the Governor at the same time, their seniority shall be governed by the order in which their names appear on the list of appointees submitted by the Governor to the Secretary of State.

(Acts 1969, No. 987, p. 1744, §§21, 22; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 75, p. 4283.)