Carver Announces Plans to Seek Re-Election as District Judge of Cherokee County

Sheri Carver 1

Desiring to continue public service, Judge Sheri W. Carver will seek re-election to the District Judge position in Cherokee County. Judge Carver stated, “Cherokee county is a wonderful place and I am humbled and blessed to have grown up here, be educated here, raise my family here and serve here.” As a lifelong resident of Cherokee County, Judge Carver is aware of the issues facing our community. Her passion is to provide the best environment for the county’s future through continued involvement in community, fair and strict enforcement of the law, and the pursuit of new information and services to help Cherokee County be a safe place to raise our children and grandchildren. She and her husband, James have been married 24 years and reside in Sand Rock. They have three sons, Austin, 19, Bradon, 15 and Carson, 13. Judge Carver and her family are active members of Sand Rock United Methodist Church where she serves as Treasurer, musician, and teaches youth ages kindergarten through sixth grade.

 

Judge Carver was elected in 2003 and has been on the bench now for eleven years. While on the bench, she has served as the President and Treasurer of the Alabama Juvenile Judges Association. She has served three different Supreme Court Justices who have appointed her to several state-wide committees including the Drug Court Task Force, Circuit and District Judges’ Education Committee, Juvenile Judges Executive Committee and New Judges Education and Training. She has traveled throughout North Alabama to hear specially assigned cases involving circuit, district and juvenile cases. She has also provided mentoring and training for new judges through continuing education courses and training presentations and has completed over 400 hours of continuing judicial education.

 

Judge Carver serves as the designated District Judge and presiding Juvenile Judge for Cherokee County. District Court involves hearing cases ranging from small claims and district civil matters to traffic and misdemeanor cases to juvenile delinquency and dependency cases. District Court also has a role in felony cases, setting bonds and conducting preliminary hearings. Judge Carver has also been assigned as a special Circuit Judge to hear child support cases, take Grand Jury reports and serve as Drug Court Judge. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Cherokee County Drug Court which is the only Drug Court in the Southeast to receive its initial financing from the community. The Drug Court has been expanded under her leadership to include Alternative Sentencing Court, Family Dependency Court and the monitoring of Community Corrections. These programs have been recognized throughout the State and used as a model for other counties. Acting as Drug Court Judge is performed on a voluntary basis and is not part of her assigned duties as District Judge. While serving on the Drug Court Task Force she assisted in the drafting of the Alabama Model Drug Court Code. Cherokee County Drug Court continues to have success and has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the State of Alabama. Judge Carver is an active member of the State Association of Drug Court Professionals and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

 

Judge Carver has been active in the collection of fines and assessments throughout her tenure as District Judge. The Cherokee County District Court has collected over five million dollars in the last several years, which is almost five times more than collections at the Circuit Court level. Judge Carver has also implemented a contract lawyer system at the Juvenile Court level which has resulted in a savings of over $150,000 in the last three (3) years. This is the only level of court in the Ninth Judicial Circuit currently using this contract lawyer program.

 

Under Judge Carver’s leadership over the last three years the juvenile court obtained grants exceeding $500,000 to establish the STAR (Saving Teens At Risk) program within Cherokee County. This program employs four staff members and the grant has been renewed for successful performance, not only due to student success, but financial savings to the State for delinquency programs. Further, she helped to establish the Family Resource Center of Cherokee County to provide families with resources and services that assist families in need. As Juvenile Judge, she is the Chairperson of the Children’s Policy Council of Cherokee County which has received state-wide recognition for its programs and participation and been used as a model for other programs. The Council was the first to implement a Youth Advisory Board. She is also a Board member of the Coosa Valley Detention Center and a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. She is presently working with Judges from the State of Georgia and Alabama to improve the Juvenile Court Interstate Compact System to allow children to remain in the homes of relatives when possible.

 

Prior to taking the bench Judge Carver practiced law for twelve years in all areas of the law and has extensive courtroom experience. She was active in the State Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyer Program and Indigent Defense. She also served as the local Bar President and Treasurer.

 

Judge Carver is a committed community volunteer. She served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and continues to serve on the Board. She previously served as President of the Children’s Advocacy Center Board of Directors. She served as Chairman of the Cherokee County Red Cross Board. She is the past President of the Cherokee County Alabama Alumni Association. She is a member of the Kiwanis and serves on its Board of Directors. She presently serves on the School Advisory Counsel for the Board of Education and is a member of the Partnership for a Drug Free Cherokee. She has also volunteered with the Spirit of Cherokee and the Board of Education Quality Assurance Council.

 

Upon qualifying for the office Judge Carver stated, “Being District Judge has allowed me the opportunity to concentrate my efforts along with other volunteers in improving the lives of children and families in our community. Shaping the lives of children at an early age helps deter them from entering the court system. When called upon to make decisions, I have always tried to decide cases fairly, honestly and quickly while treating everyone who comes before the court with dignity, respect and compassion. As your District Judge, I will continue to bring changes and new ideas to the court system in Cherokee County. As Juvenile Judge, I will seek services to provide the best guidance for our youth and the community. I am dedicated to continuing to serve the people of Cherokee County.”

 

 

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print