Talladega County Probate Judge ordered removed from office

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Court of the Judiciary on Friday ordered Talladega County Probate Judge Randy Jinks removed from office.

On March 3, the Judicial Inquiry Commission filed a complaint with the Court, charging Jinks with violating the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics. During his trial, which began on Sept. 29 and was recessed from Oct. 1-27, the Commission presented testimony from 18 witnesses, and Judge Jinks presented testimony from nine witnesses including former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley.

The Court’s nine members unanimously concluded that Jinks violated multiple Canons by failing “to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary”; “to conduct himself at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary”; “to, at all times, maintain the decorum and temperance befitting his office and by failing to avoid conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute”; and “to be patient, dignified, and courteous to … lawyers, and others with whom he deals in his official capacity” as well as “allowing relationships to influence his judicial conduct, by lending the prestige of his office to advance the private interests of others”.

Jinks was also ordered to pay for the costs of the proceeding.

Jinks, now 65, took office as Probate Judge in January 2019 for a six-year term. A replacement will be appointed by the Governor.