Braxton L. Kittrell, Jr.
Braxton Kittrell was born in Mobile, Alabama on March 5, 1943. He attended public schools in Mobile and graduated from Murphy High School in 1961. He attended the University of Alabama for undergraduate and law school, graduating in January, 1967 with a J.D. degree. He began his public career by running for circuit judge in Mobile County in 1976, was elected and began serving in January, 1977. He ran unopposed and was re-elected for three additional terms of office in 1982, 1988 and 1994. He retired as a circuit judge in April, 1999.
Kittrell became presiding circuit judge in January, 1989 and served in that capacity until his retirement. He still serves as an active/retired judge in cases around the State of Alabama by appointment of the Chief Justice, and served by joint appointment of the Chief Justice and the Governor as Special Supreme Court Justice in 2004 in the case of Roy S. Moore vs. The Judicial Inquiry Commission of the State of Alabama.
As a circuit judge, Judge Kittrell is credited with the creation and implementation of many programs, services and policy changes which have resulted in tremendous benefit to the judiciary and the community of Mobile. Through his efforts, the Mobile County Community Corrections Center opened in 1991. The Corrections Center operates eight supervision programs that provide the courts with appropriate supervised alternatives to incarceration. Since its inception, the staff has supervised thousands of individuals.
In 1993, Kittrell, with the backing of the City Council, the County Commission and a number of other local officials, established the Mobile Drug Court Program. This program was the first of its kind in the State of Alabama and the third such program in the country and serves as a model for others around the country. The purpose of this program is to identify alcohol and substance abusing offenders at the earliest point possible after arrest and guide them into a program that offers a combination of treatment and the teaching of basic life skills such as budgeting, priority setting, job skills and the like. Kittrell was also a founding member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals located in Washington, D.C.
In 1987, in an effort to deal with a burgeoning civil trial caseload he, along with several other circuit court judges, implemented an expedited case management system for civil cases in Mobile County. This system has helped establish the Mobile County Circuit Court as the most efficient and productive in the state.
PROFESSIONAL EMPOYMENT
1967-1969
Employed with Texaco, Inc. in New Orleans, LA
1969-77
Engaged in the private practice of law in Mobile, AL with emphasis on commercial litigation
1977-99
Circuit Judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit of Alabama handling civil and criminal cases, and serving as Chief Judge from 1989-1999
1999-Present
An emphasis on arbitration and mediation, and serving on an ad hoc basis as circuit judge in the State of Alabama by appointment from the Chief Justice.
ACTIVITIES AND HONORS
1975-1976
PRESIDENT - Young Lawyers Section, Mobile Bar Association
1982-1983
PRESIDENT - International Academy of State Trial Judges
1980-1983
CHAIRMAN - Regional Planning and Advisory for Region Six, Alabama Law Enforcement Planning Agency (appointed by Governor)
1980-1983
MEMBER - Executive Committee of State Supervisory Board of Alabama Law Enforcement Planning Agency
1987-1999
MEMBER - Judicial Inquiry Commission of the State of Alabama
1995-1999
CHAIRMAN - Judicial Inquiry Commission of the State of Alabama
1993-1997
CHAIRMAN - Sentencing and Corrections Committee, American Bar Association Judicial Administration Division
1995-1998
MEMBER - Executive Committee, National Conference of State Trial Judges, American Bar Association
1996-1997
PRESIDENT - Alabama Association of Circuit Judges
1999
RECIPIENT - University of Cincinnati Award in Corrections
1997-1999
MEMBER - Alabama Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Criminal Procedure
2007-2008
MEMBER - Alabama State Bar Judicial Liaison Committee
2008-Present
MEMBER - Alabama State Ethics Commission
MEMBERSHIPS
American, Alabama and Mobile Bar Associations
Alabama Association of Circuit Judges
International Academy of State Trial Judges
American Judicure Society