MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A hearing set for Monday will determine the course of the judicial ethics case against suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, who could be removed from office for an order he issued about same-sex marriage.
The Alabama Court of the Judiciary is scheduled to consider a request by judicial investigators to convict Moore of violating canons of conduct without a trial. That could result in Moore’s immediate removal from office.
Moore opposes the request and instead wants the case thrown out, so lawyers will present arguments during a hearing in the very chamber where Moore presided as chief justice. The court has said Moore’s trial will begin Sept. 28 if the case continues.
Moore, a Republican, is suspended because the Judicial Inquiry Commission filed charges accusing him of violating judicial ethics with an order to state probate judges about same-sex marriage.
Supporters and opponents of the suspended judge plan noontime rallies outside the Supreme Court building before the hearing.