On Monday, Dallas County Circuit Court Judge Don McMillan ruled that ousted city treasurer Ronita Wade should be reinstated “to the full performance of her duties as Treasurer of the City of Selma.”

“This is big,” said Montgomery attorney Julian McPhillips, who has represented Wade throughout the proceedings. “I’m really excited about this.”

The three-page ruling left a few unanswered questions that will have to be taken up during a final hearing next month, but denied a motion to dismiss from Selma Mayor Darrio Melton, whom the ruling says “failed to adhere to the requirements” of the Alabama Code, which defines “the relationship between the mayor and the city council relative to removing certain officers of the city.”

The ruling stated that the court made much of its decision based on oral statements made by Melton, during which he acknowledged that “every action taken by the city council to restore” Wade’s positions “resulted in countervailing action” from the mayor.

The court also found that Melton is “not permitted by law to avoid the city council’s reinstatement decision.”

The ruling also states that Wade has suffered “concrete injury,” which creates a “justifiable controversy.”

The ruling notes that Melton’s contention that Wade’s complaint “fails to state a cause of action is inextricably intertwined with the merits” of the case and will have to be taken up in the final court hearing.

McPhillips is already gearing up for possible action from Melton.

“If the mayor tries to trip her up anymore, I’ll file a motion to have him sent to jail,” McPhillips said.

Wade is slated to return to work at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, where supporters will meet her outside the front door of city hall to welcome her back.