Collins Pettaway Jr. has announced his candidacy for the office of Circuit Judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Alabama covering Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox counties.

Pettway said he made the decision to run after lots of thought.

“It was after prayerful consideration and much thought that I decided, with the support of my family, colleagues and friends, to offer myself as a candidate,” he said. “It is a monumental step and challenging task, but I believe that ‘They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mt. Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. With your help, the race is already won.”

Pettaway said he has practiced law in almost every courthouse in the state of Alabama, before every appellate court and every U.S. District Court.

As judge, Pettaway said “I will never forget that I was a litigator in and out of court and will work with each party and attorney to ensure that everyone has his or her day in court and a fair opportunity to be heard.”

If elected, Pettaway pledges to have staggered dockets so a party does not wait all day to hear their case; develop a system to reward those who appear early and on-time to hear their case, utilize technology we now have to handle preliminary matters to avoid long trips; work with parties and attorneys on scheduling conflicts; seek strong action for perjury; be innovative to help victims, children and the less-fortunate to be made whole.