Ala. Code § 36-11-9
If such information shall be filed under Section 174 of Article 7 of the constitution, the Supreme Court, in term time, or a justice thereof, in vacation, shall make an order requiring the officer proceeded against to appear at a place and on a day, which may be either in term time or vacation, to be specified in the order and answer the information. The clerk of the court shall issue a summons, in which shall be set forth a copy of the order, directed to any sheriff of the State of Alabama, which, together with a copy of the information, shall be served on the defendant. If the summons is served 20 days before the day specified in the order, the defendant shall answer the information on the day specified; and, if the summons is served less than 20 days before the day so specified, the court, in term time, or a justice thereof, in vacation, shall on the day so specified make an order setting another day, not exceeding 20 days thereafter, on which the defendant shall answer the information. Another day may be set and another summons issued as often as may be necessary, and continuances may be granted in the discretion of the court, but the cases provided for in this section shall have precedence and priority over all other business in the court.
Ala. Code § 36-11-9 (1975)