Alabama judicial news

From Judgepedia

News about or affecting the judiciary in Alabama.

Alabama court ends halt on casino raids

Montgomery, Alabama: The Alabama Supreme Court, on Thursday, February 4, removed a court order from a lower court that has been staying a raid on the state's largest casino, Victoryland. The court ruled that the court order, put in place by a Macon County judge, was beyond his jurisdiction and that the raid to be carried out by Governor Bob Riley's gambling task force could take place. The ruling does not, however, wiegh in the legality or illegality on the machines within the casino.^[1]

Newest Alabama federal judge sworn in

Birmingham, Alabama: Abdul Kallon has been sworn in as the newest judge to the Northern District of Alabama. He now occupies the seat left empty by the retirement of U. W. Clemon.^[1]

Alabama court rules that electronic bingo is illegal

Alabama: The Alabama Supreme Court ruled on Friday, January 29, that electronic bingo is illegal in the town of Ashville, Alabama. Electronic bingo has been the source of much controversy in Alabama and even with this ruling the town still wonders why other counties are allowed to have it.^[1]

Alabama Supreme Court overturns ruling that halted casino raid

Alabama: The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that Circuit Court Judge P.B. McLauchlin, Jr. did not have the authority to issue a restraining order that stopped Alabama Governor Robert Riley's Task Force on Illegal Gambling from raiding the newly opened County Crossings casino. There are many critics of the governor's plans saying that he accepted donation from the Choctaw Indian Tribe who has casinos mere hours away in the state of Mississippi.^{[1] [2]}

On January 13, David Barber, head of the governor's task force, submitted his resignation letter after winning a $2,300 jackpot at Choctaw Indian Tribe casino in Mississippi.^{[1] [2]}

Alabama man loses appeal on child porn charges

Alabama: On Friday, January 15, the Alabama Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal by David Lawrence Poole, a former skate rink owner, who was convicted of making pornographic tapes of underage boys. Poole was arrested in 1989 and charged after he allegedly installed video cameras int he boys bathroom at the skate rink he owned.^[1]

Veteran Judge of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court Dies

Montgomery, Alabama: John Cooper Godbold, a judge on the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, died on December 22, 2009.

Judge Godbold had served as a federal circuit judge since 1966, when he was first nominated by Lyndon Johnson to the 5th Circuit Court. He was reassigned to the 11th Circuit Court in 1981 and served as that court's chief judge from 1981 to 1986. In 1987, he assumed senior status.^[1][2]

First candidate of the 2010 Alabama Supreme Court race begins campaign

Alabama: The first candidate to announce for the 2010 Alabama Supreme Court race is Chief Judge of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Kelli Wise. She is a Republican, and has the endorsement of the Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee. She kicked off her campaign at the state GOP headquarters in Montgomery.^[1]

Wise was initially elected to the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2000 and re-elected in 2006. Prior to her election to the judiciary, Wise served as staff attorney to Justice Jean Brown on the Alabama Supreme Court, legal counsel for ProStaff HRM, Inc., and was associated with the law firms of John Taber & Associates and Pittman, Pittman, Carwie & Fuquay. She received her law degree from Jones School of Law in 1994.^[2]

Wise is running for the seat vacated by Patricia Smith, who is not seeking another term on the court. ^[3]

Criminal Appeals judge to enter race for Alabama Supreme Court

Alabama: Chief Judge of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Kelli Wise, is seeking election to the Alabama Supreme Court. She is running for the seat the Patricia Smith will be vacating in 2010. ^[1]

Wise was elected to the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2006, over Democratic candidate Claude Patton. Wise won with 56% of the vote. ^[2] Prior to her election to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Wise served as staff attorney to Justice Jean Brown on the Alabama Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals. ^[3]

Her candidacy has been endorsed by the Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee, a statewide coalition of business groups.^[4]

Nominees to replace Suttle announced

Florence, Alabama: Governor Bob Riley is expected to make an announcement regarding the replacement of retired Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Mike Suttle. Suttle has served as circuit judge for more than 24 years. He is now an attorney in Florence.

The Lauderdale County Judicial Commission has submitted three nominees for the vacancy created by Suttle's retirement: James E. Hall II, R. Wilson Jenkins Jr. and Gilbert P. Self, all Florence lawyers.

This is the first time a committee has been part of the decision making process when it comes to judicial nomination in Lauderdale County. In the past, the Governor has been solely responsible for making an appointment.

Riley has 30 days to select one of the nominees to serve the remainder of Suttle's term, which will expire in 2010. ^[1]

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