Ala. Code § 12-22-193
Upon the filing of the petition with the clerk or the trial judge within the time prescribed in Section 12-22-92, the trial judge shall have the defendant or petitioner brought before him and shall examine the defendant or petitioner under oath concerning the required averment in the petition that the defendant or petitioner is without sufficient funds, and has no reasonable way to procure the same, to pay the court reporter all of his lawful fees for transcribing the evidence and other proceedings had at the trial or on the hearing of said case or the fees of the clerk which will accrue on appeal. The trial court, at such hearing, may issue subpoenas for witnesses as deemed necessary and may call upon the sheriff, the district attorney and other officers of the court to ascertain information relevant to the financial condition and ability of defendant or petitioner. The trial judge shall find from the court reporter or reporters who took stenographic notes at the trial or hearing a general estimate of the costs of transcribing the evidence and other proceedings occurring at the trial, or such part thereof as may be necessary to be transcribed to afford the appellate court with a record on appeal of sufficient completeness as a basis for a fair review of the points insisted upon by the defendant or petitioner and shall also ascertain from the clerk a general estimate of the amount of fees which will be due to said clerk incident to an appeal.
Ala. Code § 12-22-193 (1975)