Supreme Court Associate Justice-Place 3 Choose 1
Biographical Information
Campaign Mailing Address
P.O. Box 11022
Montgomery, AL 36111
Montgomery, AL 36111
Website
http://willsellers.com
How have your education, training, and legal experience prepared you to serve as Associate Justice?
I majored in history and political economy at Hillsdale College, graduated from University of Alabama School of law and received a masters in tax law from New York University. After practicing law for 28 years Gov. Kay Ivey appointed me to the Alabama Supreme Court. All of these experiences having given me both the education and practical experience to serve on Alabama's highest court.
How would you balance the realities of being an elected official - whose continued service is subject to public opinion - with the standard of judicial impartiality called for by the office you seek?
We take an oath to be impartial and we run for office based on our record. After writing close to 200 opinions, I think the general public can determine my impartiality and my commitment to the rule of law and my commitment to be fair and impartial to everyone, regardless of station or circumstance.
What, in your opinion, are the two greatest areas of need in the Alabama justice system, and how should the Supreme Court respond to them?
Administratively, the Supreme Court can do little to increase funding; that comes from the legislature. But, much like Chief Justice Heflin did 50 years ago, we need a top to bottom review of the judicial system to see if we actually need 41 judicial circuits, which counties need more judges and which can do with less and bringing a comprehensive review of the physical and technological needs of county court houses throughout Alabama.
What, if any, do you see as the Supreme Court’s role in addressing issues of prison overcrowding and prison reform?
Deciding any cases that come before us.
In your opinion, is the amount of court fines and fees a factor in the fair and equitable administration of justice in our state? What, if anything, can the Alabama Supreme Court do to make the court fines and fees standard across all counties?
We are a court of law and don't make policy.