A primary function of the Alabama Supreme Court is to review decisions of Trial Courts in the State of Alabama.  I practiced law for 19 years trying a broad range of civil and criminal jury and non-jury trials.  During my more than 11 years as a Circuit Court Judge I presided over numerous civil and criminal cases.  It is important to have real life trial experience in the kinds of cases which the Supreme Court will be called upon to review.  Because the Alabama Supreme Court is a 9 member body which seeks to reach consensus on issues which come before it, my 8 years on the 7 member Tuscaloosa City Council gave me valuable experience in the give and take required to reach a consensus. In addition, I have served on a number of organizations which have provided me a clearer understanding of the issues which face our judicial system.  Two such experiences were my service on the Third Citizens Conference on Alabama State Courts held in 1995 which was co-chaired by retired Justice Oscar Adams and Former Governor Albert Brewer, and my service on the Alabama Judicial System Study Copmmission's Committee to Study Sentencing which was conviened in March 1998 and was chaired by Retired Judge Joe Colquitt.

1.  Basic sense of fairness
2.  Good Listener
3.  Judicial temperament

My basic judicial philosophy is to do my best to be fair and impartial, to provid a level playing field and treat all parties who come before me with dignity and respect, to strictly interpret the law and to listen and consider all views and to make the best decision that I can based upon the law.

Judicial independence means that a Judge has the freedom to render a decision based on the law and facts of a particular case without fear of reprisals from other branches of government.  Judicial independence is crucial to preserve the rule of law and a true democracy.

The greatest area of need in the Alabama justice system is to reform the manner in which Judges are selected.  It is my belief that Judges should be elected in nonpartisan elections and that a process be established which ensures that only the most qualified and experienced attorneys be placed on trial and appeallate bench. In our criminal justice system the greatest need is sentencing reform to provide truth in sentencing and to elimate unwarranted disparities in sentencing.  In addition, our indigent defense system needs to be reformed to contain spiraling costs while at the same time providing competent counsel for indigent defendants.  The Supreme Court should be the leader in reforming these areas of critical need.

As would any other informed citizen a Judge should be aware of public opinion, but that public opinion should not prevent the Judge from basing his or her decision solely on the law and facts of the particular case before that Judge.

A judge should always base the decision on the law and the facts.  If a judge feels that his or her personal opinion regarding an issue will prevent him or her from basing the decision on the law and facts then the judge should recuse himself from further participation in that case.