Latest news with #CodeofAlabama
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith accuses district attorney of lying about severity of charges against him
WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — The embattled sheriff of Walker County is countering prosecutors' claims on the penalty of the crimes he is charged with, alleging they were purposefully misstated to sway the upcoming election next year. On Monday, Sheriff Nick Smith was indicted on charges related to hiring six men as deputies who weren't certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. Likewise, Chief Deputy Ralph Williams was charged with lying to the APOSTC about firing a deputy who was still on the force. Specifically, Smith is charged with six counts of violating article of standards for employing law enforcement officers. According to the Code of Alabama, the charge is a misdemeanor subject to fines of no more than $1,000. During a press conference announcing the charges against Smith, however, District Attorney Bill Adair claimed the charges could result in up to three months in jail and a $500 fine on each charge. 'That it is the belief of Sheriff Smith that the District Attorney has purposely misstated/overstated the penalty for the charges against the Sheriff for the express purpose of negatively influencing potential voters in the upcoming election,' wrote Thomas Carmichael, Smith's attorney. Following the indictment, which he called 'lawfare' and a 'political arrest,' Smith accused Adair of going after him to help J.C. Poe, chief of the Jasper Police Department who is running against him in an election to be held November 3, 2026. Responding to Smith's accusations, Adair said the sheriff was living in an 'alternate reality.' Carmichael has requested that the penalty for the charges against Smith be certified to reflect no jail time and no more than a $1,000 fine. The case is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Kay Ivey appoints Tiffany McCord to replace retiring judge
Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday appointed Montgomery County District Court Judge Tiffany McCord to fill the position of 15th Judicial Circuit judge. McCord will replace Judge Johnny Hardwick, who retired last week. "First of all, allow me to say that I am very thankful to Gov. Ivey for the trust and the confidence that she has placed in me by appointing me to serve on the 15th Judicial Circuit as a circuit court judge," McCord said in a statement. "I promise to her and to all of our citizens that I will work long and hard to uphold the rule of law under the Code of Alabama and to make certain that justice is served on behalf of all of our residents in a fair and impartial manner." More: Hardwick's Resignation Judge Johnny Hardwick resigns after 24 years on the bench in Montgomery County Before McCord served as district court judge, Montgomery County residents elected her to the position of circuit clerk. McCord is a member of the Alabama State University Board of Trustees. She received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University at Montgomery and her law degree from Faulkner University. McCord is married to Darris McCord and has a daughter, Kirstain. "I am very excited to serve in my new capacity as a circuit court judge but also am aware of the huge shoes that I must fill in being appointed to the seat left open by Judge Hardwick's resignation," McCord said. "He was a giant among judges, and I hope to make him, Gov. Ivey and the people of Montgomery County proud of how I administer justice in all of the cases that come before me on the bench." Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's education reporter. She can be reached at agladden@ or on Twitter @gladlyalex. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Gov. Kay Ivey names Judge Tiffany McCord to 15th Judicial Circuit
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mobile lake closure prompts state legislative action
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Alabama State Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle) has filed legislation prohibiting water boards and sewer commissions from banning or restricting recreational activities on lakes they own or control. List: The Social Security offices expected to close this year According to a news release from the Alabama State House of Representatives, the legislation was filed after the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System decided in February to permanently close Big Creek Lake to recreational activities, including fishing and vehicles. Escambia County deputies arrest man accused of pretending to be sheriff's office employee 'Suddenly declaring an entire lake off limits without offering specific reasons or justification is unfair and hurts the quality of life for everyone who lives in the area,' Stringer said. 'The residents of House District 102 are angry and upset at this bureaucratic nonsense, and I share their reaction, so if MAWSS refuses to reverse its decision, the Legislature can certainly step in and reverse it for them.' According to the release, House Bill 473 said water or sewer boards 'may not in any way restrict the public's recreational use of a body of water, or portion thereof, owned or controlled by the board, including for fishing and boating.' Mobile County residents who disagree with the lake's closure have already begun pushing for its reopening with a Facebook page. 'Public health departments, environmental agencies, and similar departments governed by other portions of the Code of Alabama would maintain their authority to declare health emergencies and take necessary actions to safeguard the public from contaminated bodies of water and other threats,' the Alabama House release said. Saraland High School receives donated aircraft for hands-on training Now that the bill has been filed, it has been sent to the House Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Committee, which is headed by State Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile). Kendra Day contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Decatur man out on bond for sexual assault charged with breaking into vehicle
Mar. 5—A Decatur man was charged with unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle Sunday after officers found him at the scene while speaking with the vehicle's owner, according to the Decatur Police Department. Decatur police responded to Riverwalk Marina at 3755 U.S. 31 N. and made contact with the victim who said they caught Olen Wade Murphy, 65, inside of their vehicle, according to police. Police said Murphy was detained by officers and they contacted a property crimes detective to continue investigating. After obtaining a witness statement and reviewing evidence, police said Murphy was arrested and transported to the Limestone County Jail and held in lieu of $2,500 bail. Court records state that Murphy was indicted for second-degree sexual assault on Dec. 4 and arrested on Feb. 25. According to the bill of indictment, Murphy, using the alias Tom Olen Murphy, "being at least 19 years or older, did subject (the victim), who was less than 16 years old but more than 12 years old, to sexual contact, in violation of Section 13A-6-67 of the Code of Alabama." Murphy was released on $5,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment in Morgan County District Judge Charles Elliott's courtroom on April 21. — or 256-340-2442.
