Video: Age Limitation Bills for Alabama Judges

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PICKENS COUNTY, Al. (WCBI)- Alabama state law doesn’t allow anyone over the age of 70 to run for a judgeship.

However, two pieces of legislation could change that law.

One of the bills is specifically for the Pickens County’s Probate Judge.

“I always thought this would be something I’d like to do,” said Pickens County Probate Judge John Paluzzi.
But an Alabama law would prevent Paluzzi from running for another term.

No one over the age of 70 can run for a judgeship, including a probate judge, and Paluzzi is 71 years old.

“Well it is age discrimination, there’s no reason for the bill,” Paluzzi said. “These laws are old, they’ve been on the books a long time, so I doubt any legislature or legislator is Alabama had anything to do with those, they’re just still around, so I think it’s time to change that.”

Paluzzi has been in office for nine years.

He said just because someone is older than 70 years old doesn’t mean they’re not capable of doing their job.

“We ought to have the chance and I think if the sheriff’s, the district attorney’s, the circuit clerks, county comminsioners, mayors, city councilman, if those people can run for office after age 70, and serve after age 70 then judges ought to have that same opportunity,” said Paluzzi.

Right now, there are two bills in the Alabama legislature that could change the requirement.

One bill would allow all judges to run for office, regardless of age. The other is specific to Pickens County and would put an age limitation of 75 on judgeship offices.

Paluzzi said if the law isn’t changed, he could take the state to court.

“If both of them fail to pass, then we’ll have no other option than to file a federal law suit in federal court that would be available to the probate judges that wants to run, or any judges not just the probate judge,” said Paluzzi.

The Pickens County attorney is optimistic lawmakers will take away the age limitation.

“I’m in good health right now and I’m 71 and I love my work, I love working with people and I love the courtroom and the type of work that we have to do, so I hope I have the opportunity to continue doing it,” said Paluzzi.

Lawmakers are in session now, and he believes a decision could come as early as next week.

If the bills are approved by the legislature, they’ll be on the November general election ballot for voters to decide.