Shelby County Probate Judge

Joe Starnes

Party: Republican

Age: 64

Residence: Sterrett

Political experience: None

Professional experience: Accounting consultant, Warren Averett Consulting, January 2017-present; chief financial officer, Drinkard Development LLC, January-December 2016; accounting consultant, Warren Averett Consulting, February-December 2015; accounting instructor, Central Alabama Community College, June 2012-December 2014; accounting instructor, Virginia College, October 2012-March 2013; ProAssurance Corporation director internal audit, November 2006-January 2011; HealthSouth Corporation director partnership controls and reporting; November 2004-November 2006; Callaway Partners LLC, consultant, June 2004-November 2004; Joseph W. Starnes, P.C., Attorney at Law, January 2001-June 2004; Ogden Projects Inc., controller/business manager, July 1991-December 2000; Waste Management Inc., controller, 1988-1991; HAWCO  Manufacturing. Inc., controller, 1985-1988; auditor, State of Louisiana, 1980-1985.

Civic experience: Board of directors of Junior Achievement of North Alabama (Volunteer of the Year, 1999); pro bono work for Hope Place, 2001-2003.

Main issues: Starnes pledged to keep property records secure and ensure that private property rights are protected, and he promised fairness and impartiality in elections and other issues before the court.

He pointed out that probate judges hear eminent domain cases. “These are the cases where the government seeks to take individual’s land for the public use. As the judge hearing eminent domain cases, I will pledge the landowner’s rights are protected in accordance with our constitution,” he said.

“The probate judge is the one to determine if someone is in need of commitment when other, less restrictive means of treatment are not suitable for someone who is a danger to themselves or others,” he said. “This is one of the few times an individual’s freedom is taken by the state, other than due to a criminal conviction.”
Starns also said that, as an accountant, he would ensure election results are accurate.

Education: LLM – Tax (Master of Laws), University of Alabama School of Law, 2007; juris doctor, Birmingham School of Law, 2000; bachelor’s in business administration, San Jose State University, 1980; pursuing master’s in theological studies, Liberty University.

Top contributors: Joseph Starnes, $2,500; Brooks Wall, $2,000;Jeffrey Groover, $200.

Campaign: facebook.com/JoeStarnesforProbateJudge