OZARK—Alabama Chief Justice Chuck Malone and a representative for one of his opponents in the state Chief Justice race participated in a forum Monday before the Dale County Republican Party.
Malone was appointed chief justice in August and is seeking the six-year-term. He was twice elected a presiding circuit judge in Tuscaloosa County.
A campaign consultant for chief justice candidate Charlie Graddick stood in for Graddick due to an illness. Graddick has served as a Mobile County circuit judge since 2004. He announced in November a plan to save $3 million in the court system, according to his website.
Former Chief Justice Roy Moore spoke in a similar forum in Ozark last month and will compete against Graddick and Malone in the March 13 primary election.
The candidate who wins will progress to the November general election to compete against Democrat Harry Lyon.
Malone said funding for the courts is his main goal and has a direct impact on the state’s economy.
According to the National Center for State Courts website, circuit clerks’ offices were staffed at around 45 percent, a number equivalent to what the courts had in 1996, after layoffs in staff positions in order to maintain the same number of judges. The Alabama trial courts’ appropriation was reduced from $152 million in FY11 to $138.9 million in FY12, according to the center.
Malone said he has already made personal decisions in the chief justice’s office designed to save money, including driving his own personal car instead of a state vehicle in order to sell the state vehicle and put more money toward the courts.
Malone said he’s also chosen not to have a state-funded security guard.
Dale County operates with 47 percent manpower, according to circuit clerk Delores Woodham.
“I understand what it’s like to practice business the hard way. … Right now we’re in some lean times. … As chief justice, your plant sites are your courthouses around the state. Right now you’re trying to connect those office sites with 50-percent manpower,” Malone said.
“The statute said adequate funding for the courts. I can’t say what adequate funding is, but I know it’s not dealing with that old equipment (in the courts), and it’s not operating with 40-percent manpower. … The job of the legislators is to be responsible with your tax-paid dollars. And no matter what your local vote, we must have a change in the presidency.”
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