Lauren Estes-Velez

Hartselle Enquirer

Hartselle resident Jacob Roberts recently announced he is running for circuit judge, place 2.

Roberts is a partner in Powell and Roberts law firm in Decatur and has many goals, if he is elected as circuit judge.

“One thing that is important to me is the Morgan County Drug Court Program,” Roberts said. “There are very few families that go untouched by drug use and addiction. We all have that one friend from high school, college or a family member who has struggled with drug addiction. If we can get these people help and help turn them into productive members of society, that’s the best benefit for the person, for their family and for the taxpayers of the county in breaking the chain of addiction.

“This process through the drug court program helps turn them into sober-minded citizens that do what the rest of us do,” Roberts said. “We pay rent or buy a house. We pay bills and help in the community. This helps the whole area function better when we have more people working to make it better, and that starts with ending the chain of addiction.”

Roberts said another focus is improve and speed up the case process.

“Many people have to take off work and then worry about the case, and the next available docket is months down the road,” Roberts said. “They need to be able to go on with their lives. I would like to cut down the time on that and get them to trial so they can put that behind them, regardless of how their case might turn out.”

Roberts said he decided in fall 2017 to run, after the announcement of Judge Thompson’s retirement.

“I’ve been in private practice, so I know how to run a business. I understand that time is money and money is time – and neither one need to be wasted,” Roberts said. “You have to make more money than what you’re spending to be able to make it with your own business. I want to take my knowledge of operating my own business to the courthouse.

“I was able to get a scholarship out of high school to Wallace and took an HVAC class to be able to work on air conditioning and started my own business. With that business I was able to make money and pay my way through college and law school,” Roberts said. “With the encouragement of people throughout the community and wanting to get involved further, I decided this was something I wanted to seek.”

Roberts resides in Hartselle with his 10-year-old son.