More About John Odem

Florence attorney John Odem is a remarkable man with a brilliant future. We first profiled Odem when he announced his candidacy for Lauderdale County District Judge several months ago. Odem, the son of Dennis Odem and his wife Carolyn, is not only a busy lawyer, but also a musician and a helicopter pilot--the youngest ever licensed in the state of Alabama.

Those who have seen John perform with his band the Cadillacs say he would have little problem making a living with his music, yet the second-generation attorney is serious about his law career. He practices criminal law as well as being an expert in pre-nuptial agreements--something he advocates for all future marriages. John is also staunchly against the death penalty. From a 2007 TimesDaily interview:

Florence attorney Dennis Odem, who represented Riley and Waldrop during their murder trials, contends the death penalty does not deter homicides."I don't think people who are committing a capital crime give one thought to, if I do this, I might be sentenced to death," he said.Odem said he expects Alabama will abandon the death penalty as a form of punishment.

When recently interviewed by the ShoalsInsider, Odem promptly answered questions concerning his relative youth:

A new broom sweeps clean. In my private practice of law I have handled hundreds of cases as plaintiff’s attorney in District and Circuit court. I have been specially appointed as a Prosecutor for the District Attorney’s Office in Lauderdale County as well as the City of Tuscumbia. Between all these fields of practice I find myself in the District Court on a daily basis. I believe this experience makes me very qualified for the job. My friends Judge George Carpenter and Judge Ed Tease were 29 and 30 years old when elected to the bench. Debra Bell Pasuer was also elected at a very young age and the county benefited many years of her presiding on the District Judge bench. Decisions rendered by the court effect the lives of everyone concerned. I feel privileged to be in a position to continue the precedent of honor and dignity of the court set by previous Lauderdale County Judges.

Obviously, whether John Odem is the next Lauderdale District Judge or not, he's becoming a political force in the county. Kudos to Odem for having accomplished so much at such an early age and for having shown such integrity in his campaign. He will face Florence Municipal Judge James Hall II in the June 1st Democratic primary.

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What's up with this: Those Sheffield merchants still displaying portable signs are now not only in violation of the city's sign law, but owe a total of $800.00 plus court costs. The total fine will rise $100.00 per day. Well, no one ever said civil disobedience was cheap--or intelligent.

Shoalanda

John Odem Announces for Lauderdale District Judge

Florence attorney John Odem has officially announced his candidacy for the position of Lauderdale County District Judge. Odem will run against James Hall II in the June Democratic primary.

John Odem, 30, is a Lauderdale County native and a graduate of the University of Alabama and Miles Law School. Odem has a private law practice in Florence specializing in Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, and Family Law. He is a partner in the firm Odem & Odem with his father, Dennis Odem.

The Lauderdale District Judge deals with Civil Litigation up to $10,000, evictions, traffic violations, misdemeanors committed in the county, as well as felony cases in their pre-indictment phase. While there are three Circuit Judge seats, only one District Judge is responsible for the entire county caseload at the District level, geographically reaching from Rogersville to Waterloo. Odem is running on a platform of Judicial Efficiency.

“We are on the brink of substantial State cutbacks and proration. Statewide, our court system faces serious and immediate financial challenges. The courts are responsible for efficiently utilizing the taxpayer’s money without costing citizens their constitutional right to a speedy and fair trial.” Odem says, “I have the experience and knowledge required to implement this and a plan to make these things happen now. I have an open door policy and welcome any questions or suggestions. My two primary interests are making the district court run efficiently and ensuring that everyone is treated fairly.”

Odem is a legal enthusiast and trial lawyer. He is also seasoned in the field of aviation, piloting both commercial helicopters and airplanes. An accredited musician, he performs with his family band The Cadillacs. John plays banjo, guitar, and bass. The band is known for playing local shows and benefits.

The Primary election will be held on June 1, 2010, and the General Election will be November 2, 2010.

Correction: While Cherokee Mayor Chuck Lansdell is Cherokee's Fire Chief (and a member of their EMS), he works for the fire department gratis, receiving only the official salary from the mayor's office. He is, still, his own boss it seems, not only in one, but two other city departments. While this may be common in small towns, it is not sound practice.

Shoalanda