By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Chilton County District Judge Chris Speaks has moved into his office and taken on the roles and duties of previous District Judge Rhonda Hardesty.

Speaks was elected on Nov. 8 to serve a six-year term. He ran unopposed and took office on Jan. 15.

“[The transition] has been great. I’m blessed to have the JPO [Juvenile Probation Office] staff … they’re very experienced, very knowledgeable. That’s been very helpful,” Speaks said. “I hired Karen Parker as my judicial assistant. She has roughly 30 years experience in the court system. That’s invaluable in the transition.”

Speaks thanked the city clerk, the county commission, and the Sheriff’s Office for helping make the transition smooth.

“It’s very important for any person in this position and/or in any position up here in the system to have good communication and a good working relationship with everybody up here,” Speaks said.

Hardesty, his predecessor, recently retired after serving in the position for 18 years.

“I practiced in her court for roughly the whole eighteen years she was here,” Speaks said.

Speaks ran against her 18 years ago and was not elected. He said he had planned on running in 2016 before he knew she would retire.

Speaks has wanted to run for the position for quite some time. He has 26 years of experience practicing law in Clanton at the firm he founded with his father Francis and brother Bill.

“I’ve kind of felt like it’s a path I wanted to take since law school,” Speaks said. “The main reason I’ve wanted this office: I have always liked working with children. The children are the future, and I think this job allows me to help protect the children of this county and community.”