It’s a familiar courtroom for suspended Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Gil Self. For years, he sat in the Judge’s chair presiding over trials. Now, he is sitting in a different seat, the defendant’s chair as the accused.

A trial starts this week at the Lauderdale County courthouse in Florence. Self stands accused of 16 felony counts involving using his office for personal gain and related charges.

Last week, attorneys for the prosecution and defense examined the large jury venire of over 200 citizens summoned for jury service. It was the county’s largest jury pool ever summoned, due to how well-known the defendant is.

The attorneys used the striking process and ended up with twelve jurors and four alternates.

Opening statements are set for Monday morning and witness testimony will begin thereafter.

Self was indicted by a Lauderdale County grand jury in 2024 after an investigation by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the State Examiners of Public Accounts. The indictments allege he misused more than $140,000 in county funds on personal expenses — including alcohol, guns, furniture, and payments benefiting his family members.

The indictment includes counts of perjury and making false statements to state auditors during their review of court expenditures.

Self has not been allowed to handle any court work since his 2024 suspension but, by law, he has continued to draw his salary, estimated at a total of over $300,000.

The total of Self’s salary during the inactive period of the suspension is about double the amount of funds at question in the indictments.

The trial is starting after reports that plea bargain negotiations failed to reach a settlement. It is also believed that Self has repaid the funds, and his lawyers have filed motions to dismiss the charges, as there may not be a certain definition of what expenses are personal and what are official.

If convicted, Self faces up to 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine on each of the 16 counts.

Retired Marshall County Circuit Judge Tim Jolley has been designated to preside over the case.

Yellowhammer News will keep you updated on this case.

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]