Alabama Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, was recently invited to join the Alabama Law Institute’s Judicial Article Study Committee, which studies and recommends reforms to the Alabama Legislature aimed at improving the state’s judicial branch.

Additionally, the committee serves in an advisory capacity for legislation affecting the judicial branch of government.

“This will be a great opportunity for me to examine, review and even edit proposed bills that concern judicial administration, due process, substantive rights of citizens and the judicial process in general,” Chestnut said. “This is not only relevant to the constituents of District 67, but also relevant to all Alabamians because public safety and criminal justice affects each and every one of us. This adds to my already incredible workload; however, the opportunity to be engaged at several stages and levels of the process is one that I could not deny.”

Chestnut stated that his invitation was due in large part to his work during the Alabama Legislature’s 2019 Legislative Session, in which he successfully pushed through legislation dealing with the Administrative Director of Courts and the Judicial Inquiry Commission.

Clay Hornsby, Deputy Director of the Alabama Law Institute at the University of Alabama School of Law cited Chestnut’s “talent and experience” as essential to the group’s deliberations and study.

Chestnut said the committee will begin meeting on a monthly or “semi-monthly” basis beginning in January.