Special Alabama Supreme Court agrees to expedite Roy Moore appeal

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Chief justice roy moore
Last month, suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore asked the asked the special Alabama Supreme Court assigned to hear his appeal to expedite the process.
The special Alabama Supreme Court, made up of retired judges, last week agreed to Moore’s request and has since set oral arguments for April 26.

Moore was suspended from the bench for the remainder of his term in September for encouraging probate judges to defy federal order and refuse marriage licenses to gay couples.

The nine-member Alabama Court of the Judiciary (COJ) unanimously found Moore guilty on six charges relating to violations of the canon of judicial ethics, and issued his suspension, leaving him without income or benefits since September 30, 2016.

“The injustice and the illegality of the penalty imposed cry out for an early resolution of this matter,” read Moore’s motion to expedite the appeal.

“Chief Justice Moore did nothing wrong and should have never been charged. To allow a precedent that punishes Alabama judges based on political whims will completely undermine our system of justice,” said Mat Staver, Moore’s attorney and Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “In this case, the Judicial Inquiry Commission violated the rule of law and the Court of the Judiciary also violated clear law by imposing a suspension for life when it lacked a unanimous vote to remove. We are seeking justice for both wrongs. Chief Justice Moore deserves justice, and a favorable resolution in his case will benefit all Alabama judges.”