Special to the Advance

Jim Hart has qualified to run for the office of circuit court judge of Escambia County Place 2. Hart has practiced law for 17 years. He maintains a private law practice at his firm, James E. Hart, III, P.C., located in Brewton. His practice includes criminal, civil, domestic, juvenile, appellate and probate law.

Hart graduated from T.R. Miller High School in 1986. He interned for United States Sen. Howell Heflin in 1987 before he graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in marketing. Hart earned a J.D. law degree from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University. After graduating, Hart and his wife moved to Alpharetta, Ga., where he served as a special assistant district attorney in Clayton County, Ga. He currently serves as public defender for the Poarch Creek Indians Tribal Court, as well as being a team member on the PCI Drug Court.

Hart is a member of the Alabama State Bar, Georgia State Bar and Escambia County Bar. He is licensed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Supreme Court of Georgia and the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

Hart has received Dale Carnegie Course Training sponsored by the Alabama Extension Agency. As a 2004 graduate of Leadership Brewton, he helped to establish a youth leadership class. Hart currently serves as Vice President of the T.R. Miller Quarterback Club and is a member of the Brewton Rotary Club where he serves as treasurer. He is a past Board Member of the Brewton Area YMCA and has participated in numerous Habitat for Humanity builds.

“I have heard it said that lawyers are the healers of human conflict,” Hart said. “I have enjoyed serving the people of Escambia County by helping them resolve their issues and problems over the years. I have an understanding of the various issues and varieties of cases that circuit judges deal with on a daily basis, as well as knowledge of the importance of courtroom management and efficiency.”

“I have enjoyed serving as a Guardian ad Litem representing children and family members in Juvenile court matters. The children are our future and we need to do what we can as a society to help nurture, direct, and mentor them. If a child can get a good start, they will have a better chance in life. I am concerned about the drug problems that afflict Escambia County and indeed our entire state and nation. I believe illegal drug use contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Additionally, drug abuse leads to lack of motivation, determination and direction of too many people in our society both young and old. As I have seen firsthand, people become a danger to themselves and others when addicted to controlled substances.”

Hart is a member of First United Methodist Church in Brewton. His church services includes, Stewardship chairman, the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, White Christmas Program for the United Methodist Children’s Home and teacher of the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Program. He helps chaperon Fifth Quarter and youth and children’s activities at FUMC as well as assisting with the sound system during church services.

Hart is the son of the late attorney and businessman, James E. Hart Jr. and Patricia T. Hart McDonald, of Brewton. He is the grandson of the late James Hart Sr. and Georgia W. Hart of Flomaton. He is married to Carolyn Haubein Hart. Jim and Carolyn have three children, Edward age 16, Ella age 14 and Clair age 10.