Judge Gil Self was sentenced to 12 years in prison after having been found guilty last month of 17 of 18 charges. A Lauderdale County jury had rendered verdicts after three weeks of trial in November.

Self was sitting in the defendant’s chair as the accused in the same courtroom where he had sat for years in the presiding judge’s chair.

The sentence was handed down December 17 by retired Marshall County Judge Tim Jolley, who had been assigned to try the case. Jolley set an appeal bond at $20,000. Self met the bond and was released pending the outcome of the appeal.

Self was charged with two counts of perjury, 14 counts of intentionally using his office for personal gain and one count of unintentionally using his office for personal gain.

The defense argued that Self lacked proper training in handling public funds, asserting that all expenses were processed correctly and any mistakes were unintentional.

They argued that Self had repaid all the money questioned in a state audit and that two other judges who are repaying funds cited in the audit were not criminally charged.

The sentence also disqualified Self from holding public office in Alabama. It imposed a $5,000 fine.

The prosecution had requested a 20-year sentence with five years of actual prison time, while the defense sought a noncustodial sentence citing Self’s lack of prior criminal history.

Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]