James W. Woodroof, Jr.
James W. Woodroof Jr. was a judge of 39th Circuit Court in Alabama.[1] He was first appointed to the court in 1996. He was subsequently elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2004 and 2010. His last term expired in 2016.[2][3]
Education
Woodroof received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in 1977. In 1980, he received his J.D. from the University of Alabama, School of Law.[2]
Career
- 1996-2016: Judge, 39th Circuit Court
- 1987-1996: Judge, Athens Municipal Court
- 1980-1996: Partner, Woodroof & Woodroof[2]
Elections
2010
Woodroof was re-elected to the circuit court after running unopposed.[3]
- Main article: Alabama judicial elections, 2010
Noteworthy cases
Rapist sentenced twice to probation despite prosecutor's request for jail time
Austin Clem, who was convicted of three counts of rape against his former neighbor, Courtney Andrews, was again sentenced to probation in a second round of sentencing by Judge Woodroof. The initial sentence required Clem to spend four years in a community corrections program and serve six years of probation. If the terms of probation were violated, Clem would be sent to jail for 30 years.
The sentence was appealed by District Attorney Brian C. T. Jones, who argued that the sentence was too light and that Clem should be required to serve time in prison. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals ordered that the trial court issue a new sentence for Clem. So, on December 23, 2013, Clem was sentenced to 15 years in prison for first-degree rape, but the sentence was again suspended. Clem would only be required to go to prison if he violates the terms of the supervised probation he's required to serve for five years. The new sentence did not include jail time or community service.[4]
The first incident of rape occurred in 2007, when Ms. Andrews was 13 years old. In response to the second sentencing, she stated,
| “ | I’m so disappointed in the judge and the judicial system. This is my life that you’re talking about that’s been messed up immensely through this, and he just gets to go home.[5][6] | ” |
Jones filed a petition challenging the sentence again.[7] However, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the sentence issued in December. Jones planned to consult with the family of the victim before making a decision on whether to file an additional appeal.[4]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Alabama State Bar: Circuit 39 officials and contact information
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Limestone County judge profiles
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 TimesDaily.com, "Election 2010 Runoff Results
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 WHNT 19 News, "Criminal Appeals Court Upholds Lighter Sentence for Convicted Rapist Austin Clem," February 28, 2014
- ↑ The New York Times, "Alabama Prosecutor Asking Again for Tougher Rape Sentence," December 24, 2013
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ WAAY TV, "Limestone DA protests Austin Clem's second sentence for rape," January 1, 2014
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Alabama, Middle District of Alabama, Southern District of Alabama • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Alabama, Middle District of Alabama, Southern District of Alabama
State courts:
Alabama Supreme Court • Alabama Court of Civil Appeals • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals • Alabama Circuit Courts • Alabama District Courts • Alabama Juvenile Courts • Alabama Municipal Courts • Alabama Probate Courts • Alabama Small Claims Courts
State resources:
Courts in Alabama • Alabama judicial elections • Judicial selection in Alabama
