Liberty Counsel announced Wednesday it has filed a reply to the Court of the Judiciary in Alabama, seeking to dismiss charges brought by the state’s Judicial Inquiry Commission against Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.
In a press release following the filing, Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver accused the JIC of “writing a story that does not exist.” The entire situation centers on Moore’s administrative order to lower courts in Alabama from January of this year.
“In the three-and-a-half-page order, Chief Justice Moore plainly states, ‘I am not at liberty to provide any guidance to Alabama probate judges on the effect of Obergefell on the existing orders of the Alabama Supreme Court. That issue remains before the entire Court which continues to deliberate on the matter,'” Staver said. “Moore never ordered the probate judges to disregard the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage opinion, but that is the slanderous narrative of the JIC.
“The JIC apparently wanted the Chief Justice to openly disobey the Alabama Supreme Court and to take matters into his own hands. The JIC’s position is astounding and clearly wrong. It is no wonder why the JIC has no jurisdiction to render legal decisions. When it veers into this forbidden realm, it makes no sense.
“We have asked that these baseless charges be dismissed.”
A hearing on Liberty Counsel’s motion to dismiss will be held on Monday, August 8. Moore is also represented by Judicial Action Group.
