March 3, 2008
Marshall County District Judge Liles C. Burke announced today
that he will seek a full term as District Judge of Marshall
County. “I have enjoyed serving as Marshall County District
Judge and I would like to officially declare my candidacy for a
full term,” Burke announced. “I’m looking forward to the
continued opportunity to serve the people of Marshall County as
their district judge.”
“I am gratified by the encouragement I have received throughout
Marshall County,” Judge Burke stated. “Over the past year I have
been to every corner of Marshall County, meeting and getting
know people. I look forward to continuing to talk about the good
things going on in District Court and working hard for each
vote.” Burke continued, “I’m proud of our new domestic violence
court and I am very excited about continuing the work that has
begun with our juvenile court.”
With the help of Marshall County Court Referral Services and the
Marshall County Department of Human Resources, Liles Burke began
a new program to help stop drug and alcohol abuse. “Over the
past year, we have started a Family and Community Drug Court to
help force people to get off drugs and reunite them with their
families. Once in the program, they must either give up drugs,
or risk going to jail,” Judge Burke said.
In January, Judge Liles Burke partnered with District Judge Tim
Riley and successfully implemented Marshall County’s first
domestic violence court. The court brings victim service
officers and counselors into court to help victims of domestic
violence. Those cases are set on a special docket so that those
individuals who have been abused are shielded from the
embarrassment that could otherwise be associated with a public
hearing. “We are getting the victims of family violence the help
they need and making sure the court provides the justice they
deserve,” said Judge Burke.
Mayor Tim Walker of Boaz praised Burke’s announcement, saying,
“Liles Burke has already established himself as a leader in our
court system. He is the kind of intuitive person who is always
looking for ways to improve the courts. I am glad to see him
seeking a full term as District Judge.”
Guntersville Police Chief Jim Peterson also welcomed the
announcement, “Judge Liles Burke is a law and order judge that
the people of Marshall County can be proud of. He has served our
county with distinction and honor. I can say for a fact that
Judge Burke is very widely respected within the law enforcement
community because of his reputation for fairness.”
Marshall County Republican Chairwoman Jean Brewer responded, “We
are thrilled to know that Judge Burke has officially qualified
with the Republican Party. He is a first-rate judge and we
couldn’t be more excited. Judge Burke has demonstrated that he
has a conservative judicial philosophy and that he follows the
law without trying to legislate from the bench.”
Judge Burke has also been recognized by Chief Justice Sue Bell
Cobb for his work since being appointed district judge in early
2007. Cobb cited Burke for being an outstanding member of the
Alabama judiciary and a dedicated public servant who has
effectively managed his caseload. Chief Justice Cobb’s
recognition came recently when she announced that she would
appoint Burke to be an Acting Circuit Judge. She assigned him to
hear cases outside of Marshall County for one week each month,
in an effort to reduce the backlog of cases in other counties
throughout the state.
Judge Burke received his undergraduate degree from The
University of Alabama in 1991 and a law degree from The
University of Alabama School of Law in 1994. After law school,
he returned home to Marshall County and joined the Arab law firm
of Burke & Beuoy, originally begun by his father, Claud Burke.
Judge Burke began serving as the Municipal Prosecutor for the
City of Arab in 1994, a position he held until 2001 when he was
named Municipal Judge. Liles Burke served as Municipal Judge for
the City of Arab until he was appointed District Judge by
Governor Bob Riley in January 2007.
Judge Liles Burke has been active over the past many years in
several charitable and community organizations, leading the
Marshall County United Way fund drive in 2005 and serving on the
Snead State Community College Foundation Board. Judge Burke is
an active cattle farmer and member of the Marshall County and
Alabama Cattlemen’s Associations.
Burke’s wife, Natalie, is the Marshall County community
representative for the American Cancer Society. They have one
daughter, Camilla Jane. Judge Burke and his family are active
members of the First United Methodist Church of Arab.
