Judge Tim Riley Opts Out of Re-election Bid: At the close of his current term, Marshall County Circuit Judge Tim Riley will wrap up an impressive 32-year tenure on the bench. Riley, the longest-serving trial judge in Alabama, announced this week that he won’t be seeking another term.
“I won’t be running again,” he affirmed. “After winning six elections, I’ll be moving on to something else. It’ll be 32 years in the end, and I’ll embark on a new journey, whatever that may be.”
Matt Elliot, a Republican attorney from Wilmer & Lee in Arab, has qualified to succeed Riley. As of press time on Wednesday, no other contenders had stepped up for the position.
Riley’s judicial journey began in 1992 when he was elected as a district judge, having served as an assistant district attorney for two years prior. Initially running as a Democrat, Riley navigated a landscape where few Republicans contested local elections in Marshall County. Despite facing three Democratic rivals, he secured the nomination and went on to defeat former judge Byron Waldrop in the runoff. Riley sailed through the general election unopposed.
His electoral success continued with re-elections in 1998 and 2004. In 2006, Riley switched to the Republican party, taking on Democrat Howard Hawk of Arab for a newly-established circuit judgeship in Marshall County. While Hawk emerged victorious, Riley retained his role as a district judge.
Subsequently, Riley ran unopposed for a newly-created circuit judgeship in Marshall County, currently serving his second six-year term. He also held the position of presiding circuit judge in Marshall County for one term.
In 2012, Riley’s quick thinking and training as a lieutenant colonel in the Alabama National Guard came to the fore when he saved a county jail inmate’s life during a courtroom appearance. The inmate, facing a drug charge, suffered a heart attack, and Riley’s immediate response, along with the efforts of others, revived him until medical professionals took over.
Beyond the courtroom, Riley co-founded Camp Choices, a juvenile boot camp, and played pivotal roles in the Marshall County Community Corrections board and the development of the Court Appointed Juvenile Advocate program. His contributions extend to the founding of Marshall County Hospice and Shepherd’s Cove, endeavors that have grown beyond his initial expectations.
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Riley’s career also includes serving as Marshall County’s first drug court judge and as the inaugural director of the Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit. Before the bench, he practiced law, handling numerous cases across Northeast Alabama, the appellate courts, and federal district and circuit courts.
A decorated military veteran, Riley joined the U.S. Navy at 17, becoming its youngest submarine sailor. His service in the Alabama National Guard included roles at the U.S. Fifth Army Headquarters, focusing on operations law for counter-terrorism and task force U.S. Border. Riley retired as a full-bird colonel, adorned with various commendations and badges.
A graduate of Albertville High School, Snead State Community College, and The University of Alabama Law School, Riley’s academic achievements include receiving the university’s Alumni Academic Honors scholarship and International Studies scholarship for advanced studies at Oxford University. In 2005, he was honored as Snead State’s alumnus of the year.
Riley’s commitment to legal education is underscored by his graduation from the Judge Advocate General school of the Army, and he has received numerous continuing legal education awards from the Alabama State Bar and Alabama Judicial College. As he concludes his long and impactful judicial career, Riley looks forward to new endeavors beyond the courtroom.