Ala. Code § 15-10-8

Whenever any person arrested is charged with a capital felony and there is no court having jurisdiction thereof in session, it shall be the duty of the sheriff or the officer making the arrest or having the custody of such prisoner to notify the Governor or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at once of the arrest of such person. An officer failing to give such notice as soon as possible after the arrest of such prisoner is guilty of a misdemeanor.