The Alabama Supreme Court has upheld a decision to remove Talladega County's probate judge from office after he was accused of racist and sexually inappropriate behavior.
In 2021, the Court of the Judiciary forced Randy Jinks to step down as probate judge after evidence was presented confirming the allegations.
Jinks was accused of showing an employee a sexually explicit video and making racial comments after the death of George Floyd.
"The record indicates that Judge Jinks made multiple racist and racially insensitive comments, engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct, engaged in inappropriate acts of anger and use of profanity," the Supreme Court justices wrote.
The judiciary panel ruled there was clear and convincing evidence that Jinks had displayed inappropriate behavior, including asking an attorney if he knew of an acronym involving a racial slur and asking a black employee who had recently purchased a new car if he was selling drugs.
Jinks denied most of the claims and blamed workers for misinterpreting jokes. He appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, but the Court ruled the evidence called for his removal from office.
"Those acts were not isolated but occurred on a number of occasions while Judge Jinks was in the probate office acting in his capacity as the probate judge. Those acts were numerous enough to establish a pattern of objectionable behavior on the part of Judge Jinks," the Court wrote.
Jinks' attorney, Amanda Hardy, issued a statement saying they respect the Court's decision but "believe the judgement was inconsistent with the evidence adduced at trial."
"The system has been abused by a few individuals, and the Judicial Inquiry Commission's prosecution and the Court of the Judiciary's charging decisions now allows for great risks for all judges of all races and political parties in this state," Hardy wrote in an email.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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