Colbert County Judge's Race

quote:

Originally posted by Kyle:
Polly Ruggles and Nathan Johnson have both been prosecutors. Ruggles has also been an Associate District Attorney for the past 14 years, and a Municipal Judge for the past 16 years. (In all fairness to Mr. Coker, he has been a Municipal Judge for 4 years).

To my knowledge, none of the other candidates in this race have any experience as prosecutors or judges.

Since when does "experience" qualify someone for public office? I'm just sayin'. . .

If you were having surgery, would you prefer an experienced doctor, or one who was performing the operation for the first time?

Experience does not guarantee a person will be good at a job, but I would rather have an experienced judge (or any other public official) than someone who has never done the job before.

quote:

Originally posted by Kyle:

quote:

Originally posted by Infomercial:

quote:

Originally posted by Kyle:
What I know about Chad Coker is that the time he has spent in our county he has used to defend far too many wife beaters, thieves, and sexual abusers. If we want a judge who will be tough on crime, then Chad Coker ain't the guy!

Attorneys take the cases they're assigned. They can't pick and choose if they expect to ever be assigned another case by a judge. Now if they don't take public cases and choose rapists, etc., they you have every right to complain.

While Mr. Coker has been appointed to defend some of these people, he has chosen to represent others. I don't have a problem with defense attorneys, or with defense attorneys getting into politics. I just don't think that they should be judges. When you've spent a lot of time defending bad people (even when you are appointed to do so) it begins to affect your judgment. That's all I'm saying. I'm sure Mr. Coker is a fine man. I just don't want him to be our judge.

I think it's pretty narrow-minded to say that defense attorneys shouldn't be judges. Former prosecutors become judges all the time. What about lawyers who defend big bad insurance companies? What about lawyers who defend or work for big bad corporations that sell cheap Chinese goods and put our citizens out of work? What about lawyers who represent people driving up the cost of insurance and health care by bringing those silly multi-million dollar lawsuits? What about the lawyers representing the suits in the financial industry that caused our economy to crash with all their fraud and deceit?

I think you get my point. Lawyers are advocates for their clients. Judges are not intended to be advocates, they are to be impartial decision-makers and interpreters of the law. Any decent lawyer from any background knows the difference.

If you make money defending bad people, then I don't think you should be a judge. It says something about a person's character. You can tell a lot about a person by the friends they keep. You can also tell a lot about a lawyer by the clients that they choose. That's all I'm saying.

It's not about being biased against people accused of committing crimes. I don't want a judge who might be inclined to go light on a criminal, only to have that criminal go out commit more or worse crimes. It's just common sense.

quote:

Originally posted by Kyle:
If you were having surgery, would you prefer an experienced doctor, or one who was performing the operation for the first time?

Experience does not guarantee a person will be good at a job, but I would rather have an experienced judge (or any other public official) than someone who has never done the job before.

Comparing doctors with public officials is not an accurate comparison. Regardless, everyone who has ever done anything long enough to be experienced had to start somewhere. Also, in response to your question, an inexperienced doctor "might" pay more attention to detail than one who had performed the operation a thousand times. Sometimes experience begets complacency.

quote:

Originally posted by Kyle:
If you make money defending bad people, then I don't think you should be a judge. It says something about a person's character. You can tell a lot about a person by the friends they keep. You can also tell a lot about a lawyer by the clients that they choose. That's all I'm saying.

It's not about being biased against people accused of committing crimes. I don't want a judge who might be inclined to go light on a criminal, only to have that criminal go out commit more or worse crimes. It's just common sense.

I'm trying to figure out who is qualified to be a judge in your view? Prosecutors because they would be "tough on crime?" And by the way, I defend a lot of good people too. Sometimes even good people do bad or stupid things. And believe it or not, some people actually are accused of crimes they didn't commit! Good thing there's some of us slimy defense lawyers around. And our clients are not our friends. I despise many of the things my clients do. I wouldn't want to hang out with them or associate with them in any way. I am obligated to defend them because they are my clients. And many of them can't even pay me. Anyway, if you want to exclude people who "make money defending bad people" you make the pool of potential candidates very small. I know you're thinking of criminals, but I put a lot of bankers and insurance companies in the same boat.....

quote:

Originally posted by Kyle:
If you make money defending bad people, then I don't think you should be a judge. It says something about a person's character. You can tell a lot about a person by the friends they keep. You can also tell a lot about a lawyer by the clients that they choose. That's all I'm saying.

It's not about being biased against people accused of committing crimes. I don't want a judge who might be inclined to go light on a criminal, only to have that criminal go out commit more or worse crimes. It's just common sense.

So we should have another DA on the bench? Defense lawyers serve a vital purpose in defending people accused of crimes against the power of the state. Some of our founding fathers served as counsel to accused criminals. Men like Patrick Henry, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. Sounds like pretty good company to me.

Who is the judge filling in for Carpenter? Is that Pride Thompkins?

Kyle, let's hope you're never in trouble. We all know in order to get a defendant a ten year sentence, the DAs will charge him with something that brings 30 yrs. They plea, they deal. Suppose some poor smuck is deserving of 10 yrs, but doesn't have any defense attorney at all. Do you want him to do the 30 yrs. If you don't care it says something about you. You support Polly Ruggles, don't you. Does she feel that way?

Yes, there are the Jack Sprats of the world (if you've seen that pair in action, you know who they are) and the former Prince Valient (what was that all about), but most defense attorneys make very little for their time. They can't all be muni judges like Ruggles with her gavel in hand. Wonder if she uses that at home?

I just don't want to see another Amy Bishop or Maurice Clemmons (the guy Huckabee pardoned). There are too many criminals that get cut loose and then go out and commit more or worse crimes. Do innocent people sometimes get accused of crimes? Sure. But they rarely get convicted or sentenced. That is why Alabama has a conviction rate that is higher than 95% (last I checked). It's not because we automatically assume those who are charged are guilty. It's because our law enforcement officers do an excellent job of catching the right person and building their cases. We need judges, district attorneys and governors who will keep dangerous people off of the streets.

As for my choice for district judge, I haven't made a final decision. I'm not here to argue for anybody. But my qualifications for a judge are, as I've stated, experienced and tough on crime. Only two candidates in this race have experience: Chad Coker and Polly Ruggles. But Mr. Coker has represented some pretty bad people. I don't know how Judge Ruggles feels about being "tough on crime," but I do know that she has never represented any rapists or wife beaters.

I don't personally know Mrs. Ruggles, and I certainly don't claim to speak for her or her campaign. But from what I have seen, she seems to be the most capable and, by far, the most qualified and experienced candidate in the race.

I don't have any interest in this particular race, but you're putting way too much emphasis on keeping dangerous criminals in jail. The district judge doesn't do any sentencing in felony cases. In fact, all they do in felony cases is preliminary hearings to find probable cause to go forward to the grand jury. Otherwise, the job is mostly misdemeanor criminal, traffic, small claims/civil, and in Colbert County, juvenile. A tough on crime stance isn't going to matter a whole lot for a district judge.

Lawguy, I'm sorry to take issue with your post. I have talked to some of my friends who work as secretaries in law offices and asked them what the responsibilities of the district court judge are. You should know that in Colbert County, Alabama, if a person is stopped while drunk or high, that not only begins, but ends in district court. The exception to this may be where enough drugs are found in a search that would make it a felony. The district judge hears all misdemeanors. So for example, if there is domestic assault, stealing, bad checks given to businesses, drunk driving, etc., are all handled through the district court judge.

So back to what Kyle was saying, he is exactly right. The district court judge needs to be darn tough on crime and to minimize that is many of the problems we are seeing in the judicial system today. I for one want a tough judge on crime. One who does not cave and one who understands that the highways need to be safe and homes and businesses need to be safe as well.

The question that was posted several days ago that is still at issue is should someone with strong Lamar County ties and no family in Colbert County be the family court judge in Colbert County in a district court setting?

quote:

Originally posted by deshlertigermom:
Lawguy, I'm sorry to take issue with your post. I have talked to some of my friends who work as secretaries in law offices and asked them what the responsibilities of the district court judge are. You should know that in Colbert County, Alabama, if a person is stopped while drunk or high, that not only begins, but ends in district court. The exception to this may be where enough drugs are found in a search that would make it a felony. The district judge hears all misdemeanors. So for example, if there is domestic assault, stealing, bad checks given to businesses, drunk driving, etc., are all handled through the district court judge.

So back to what Kyle was saying, he is exactly right. The district court judge needs to be darn tough on crime and to minimize that is many of the problems we are seeing in the judicial system today. I for one want a tough judge on crime. One who does not cave and one who understands that the highways need to be safe and homes and businesses need to be safe as well.

The question that was posted several days ago that is still at issue is should someone with strong Lamar County ties and no family in Colbert County be the family court judge in Colbert County in a district court setting?

You really should be fired from the campaign. The same basic logical argument of, "his family is not from Colbert County; therefore, he couldn't understand Colbert County families; therefore, he shouldn't be the Colbert County family court judge," is essentially the same logic as, "he/she has no children; therefore he/she couldn't fully understand Colbert County families; therefore, he/she shouldn't be the Colbert County family court judge."

Just to be clear, I think both arguments are stupid, but don't make one argument and get your panties in a bunch over the other.

Honestly, DTM, you make Milam's argument look good. Laws are laws in all counties. BTW, if it takes place in a city, it will usually be in court there. Have you been complaining about Coker being a municipal judge? Over here in Lauderdale, we have Florence lawyers as judges in Rogersville and Lexington. They seem to get the job done.

To say a defense attorney can't be a fair judge is inane. How many lawyers ever work for a DA's office to start with. A mighty few I'd say. You could use the same argument that they shouldn't be judges since they would automatically think everyone was guilty.

I don't think you have to talk to legal secretaries to find out the duties of a district judge. I'm sure you could Google it. There's an old saying that the rejects work in gov't, while the cream of the crop work in the private world. I think that often is the case in the legal world.

Big Dawg, what I get from your response is that you are ok with the fact that Chad Coker only moved to Colbert County within the last few years and that a bunch of Tuscumbia bluebloods are pushing him to be judge and that the rest of us should be ok with that too. Good luck with trying to sell that message.

I live in Lauderdale County honey. I really don't care who wins. I'd just like to know when, in your mind, someone obtains an adequate interest to serve as a judge? 5 years? 10 years? 30 years?

Maybe the test isn't in years. Is the person required to have attended HS in Colbert County? Elementaty school? Born in C.C.? Conceived there?!?!?!?

quote:

Originally posted by deshlertigermom:
Lawguy, I'm sorry to take issue with your post. I have talked to some of my friends who work as secretaries in law offices and asked them what the responsibilities of the district court judge are. You should know that in Colbert County, Alabama, if a person is stopped while drunk or high, that not only begins, but ends in district court. The exception to this may be where enough drugs are found in a search that would make it a felony. The district judge hears all misdemeanors. So for example, if there is domestic assault, stealing, bad checks given to businesses, drunk driving, etc., are all handled through the district court judge.

So back to what Kyle was saying, he is exactly right. The district court judge needs to be darn tough on crime and to minimize that is many of the problems we are seeing in the judicial system today. I for one want a tough judge on crime. One who does not cave and one who understands that the highways need to be safe and homes and businesses need to be safe as well.

The question that was posted several days ago that is still at issue is should someone with strong Lamar County ties and no family in Colbert County be the family court judge in Colbert County in a district court setting?

I don't mind you taking issue with my post. I appreciate that this is an open forum for discussion and intelligent debate. As an attorney, I am well aware of the district judge's responsibilities. And they are, believe it or not, essentially the same in Colbert County as in the rest of the state. I said previously that they don't handle felony cases. Then you responded with "being drunk or high." That's basically DUI (traffic). And other than marijuana, possession of ANY amount of illegal drugs or drugs you don't have a prescription for is a felony. It won't be decided in district court. I understand the district judge will hear a lot of theft (under $500) cases, domestic violence, minor assault, DUI cases. I thought the discussion was about major crime. Misdemeanors within the cities are handled in city court. So basically the district judge over there hears misdemeanor cases from out in the county. About the only difference between Colbert and Lauderdale and a lot of counties is who hears the juvenile cases. In some counties like Lauderdale, they are in circuit court. Others like Colbert they are in district court. It can be either. Anyway, I don't take anything away from your opinion. But a misdemeanor can only carry up to a year in the county jail, worst case. So I think you're expecting a lot to think whoever is elected is going to be a "hanging judge."

Good post, lawguy07, here's more:

http://shoalandaspeaks.blogspo...-colbert-county.html

So which candidate is the idiot who believes in the flying spaghetti monster? Is That coker?

Logic demands its universe be balanced so with that in mind here goes:
May a District Court Candidate hailing from Lamar County be voted by the citizens of Colbert as
Judge……? Of Course…….

Now Logic loves the term pastafarianism and the idea there may be spaghetti gods. The spaghetti taste even better with a bit of sauce on the noodles. You wouldn’t want just dry noodles, no you would want some substance on your spaghetti. Makes it taste much better to have the whole meal. Doesn’t matter where the spaghetti is from does it? It taste like spaghetti in Muscle Shoals or Tuscany. Your Mother always made you the best spaghetti at home, didn’t she? But the truth was ladies from all over the state make spaghetti just as well as your momma, right? Well, maybe not quite as good, after all, it is Momma’s cooking. Besides home cooking should never matter on the football field or in politics; but it sure does make me feel better to know who is cooking in the kitchen.

Well, that was enlightening. Oh, did I fall asleeep?

still sittin round watchin the 3rd quarter
of bama v texas...we still winning! Roll Tide!
Hey these fellers posting bout rich folks
in some fraternity tellin us folks how to vote
is posting like its some surprise....
thats gone on for years....
jugflier you right boy! makes me sleepy but
dang i worry bout the hangover from another
bad dream....ain't no sense muscle shoals folks
worrying bout what a tuscumbia fraternity is saying.....we got a double portion of votes..
but we still a sleeping giant.

The practice of law is not just a matter of what is written in the law books. If it were, there would be no reason for judges or for lawyers (if the law were simply black and white, there would be no point in making legal arguments).

The fact is, we have judges because the law has to be interpreted. And that is why we elect judges: because we want judges that reflect our values and our culture. Right or wrong, that is the reality of the situation.

So the questions of what experience a judicial candidate has, how tough they would be on crime, or even how involved in the community have they been are all relevant. Ajudge, like any other elected official is supposed to be a reflection of the people. So if a candidate has not lived in a community for very long, and has spent most of his or her time building relationships with rich, future campaign contributors rather than getting involved with the community, then yes, I think that is relevant.

The question at the root of this is how devoted to this community and it's people are each of the candidates? If a person has only lived here for a few years and has spent most of that time laying the ground work for their political aspiration, then there is something funny there. Not to put words in another person's mouth, but I think that is what DTM is getting at. Is Mr. Coker really devoted to our community? His actions, both in and out of the court room, make me wonder.

I don't buy the judge being the reflection of the people. I don't live in Colbert, but if I did, I wouldn't vote for Coker. OK?

Now, what has he done that makes you think he has problems in Colbert County? Besides not being born here.

Look at Polly (Martin Supply) Ruggles. Shouldn't she be running under her maiden name, whatever that is, if it's all about being a native, etc.?

Why does Extra 260 post as Jugflier in politics?

Kyle:

You are exactly right! A judge has to bring
his experiences to the bench in order to
judge. If a person has experience with the
families and individuals of Colbert County
then they can bring experience to the bench
that is excellent. However, without a point
of reference, for a candidate that has spent
his entire career bolstering and posturing his
candidacy one has to wonder if he has the kind
of practical experience one needs to accompany
his legal experience. I too wonder if he is
really devoted to Colbert County?

quote:

Originally posted by Captain Obvious:
Why does Extra 260 post as Jugflier in politics?

So how would a newcomer with 26 posts know anything about the personalities here? Could it be you are one of the banned?

Good grief, you'd think the judge has to make a lifelong commitment to the Colbert County bench. Any one of these folks, after being elected, could then decide to set their sights on a better and more prestigious judgeship. They may not be around forever. And whatever else a judge is supposed to be, they should be impartial interpreters of the law and triers of fact when there is no jury. What better way for a judge to be impartial than to be a stranger? They don't have any preconceived ideas and they aren't cozied up to anyone. Just my $.02. Again, I don't have a dog in this hunt.

Excellent post Lawguy.
The problem is we have a rude form of politics involved.
You just just have to cut thru the haze and shine a light for others to see.

Well said Kyle....the intent of this post was to question Chad Coker's commitment to the real interests of the citizens of Colbert County. It is my understanding that every other candidate has family in Colbert County, but Chad Coker does not have only single relative in Colbert County. Rather, Chad Coker has forged relationships based on political alliances and political gain.

You mean he's an Episcopalian?

Seriously, I have no idea. Did he move here to be the law partner of Judge Carpenter's son? Is or was that a bad thing?

BTW, I've seen judges rule against someone who was connected to their husband, etc. It cuts both ways.

Gotta say this, if I wanted to move up the ladder of whatever, I wouldn't choose Colbert County to do it. Apologies to whoever I offended, but wouldn't it make more sense to move to Shelby or some other rich county?

For the record, Chad Coker is a Presyterian. His facebook page states so, and a good friend of mine is friends with his wife and she confirmed it today.

So I wonder what was the purpose of raising the flying spaghetti monster junk and Chad Coker in the same article.

quote:

Originally posted by deshlertigermom:
Big Dawg, . . . you are ok with the fact that Chad Coker only moved to Colbert County within the last few years and that a bunch of Tuscumbia bluebloods are pushing him to be judge . . . .

Best I remember the Coker family has been here about 10 years - Tigermom is against a good ole boy system but seems to want someone who by definition would be a part of that. Maybe she is a blueblood wannabe and wants to act like people who arrived in Tuscumbia in horse drawn carriages are still considered "new" to Tuscumbia. This is the silliest argument I have ever seen on here. She doesn't want old Colbert County folks and she doesn't want new Colbert County folks. She must want herself.

quote:

This is the silliest argument I have ever seen on here. She doesn't want old Colbert County folks and she doesn't want new Colbert County folks. She must want herself.

She wants the Lauderdale county folk.

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Originally posted by Jugflier:

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Originally posted by bubbaluck:

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Originally posted by Jugflier:
I get it now, this is a schill for TP. You had me fooled tigermom, I thought you was legit at first, in spite of the fact this was your first post.

Looks like we would be accustomed to this and catch on more quickly - fooled me too.

You have to read between the lines. TP is the only candidate who wouldn't be part of the good ole' boy club but still have Colbert County ties.

The problem is she is part of the good ole' boy club in Florence. Now, after all the circus's going on over there, is that what you want here? I'm not promising that will be the case, but she definitely has some nut cases for friends.

Looks like I'm a nut case......good to know.

bubba deleted a post?

Any comments or opinions on Tim Milim. I never once heard anyone mention him.

When is this election?

Primary is first tues. in June. As usual.