Demopolis’ Deas appointed District Court judge

When Vince Deas got the call from Gov. Robert Bentley’s office that he had been appointed District Court judge for Marengo County, he didn’t have much time to prepare.

Deas was sitting at Field 16 of the Sportsplex watching his sons play ball when the call came through on Wednesday, June 8. He cleared his current cases with the District Attorney’s office on Thursday and Friday, was sworn in Monday morning, June 13, and heard cases that afternoon.

“My feet got wet within a matter of days,” he laughed.

So quickly did everything happen that Deas had to borrow a black choir robe from the First United Methodist Church for the swearing-in ceremony. He’s not giving it back.

“That’s going to be my robe,” he said.

Since his graduation from the Birmingham School of Law, Deas, 44, has worked with DA offices in Madison and Marengo counties. Taking on the job of judge “makes you pause. After trial work since 2003, you have to take a step back,” he said.

He said he has to “fight the tendency to want to argue” the case.

“You have to be fair,” Deas continued. While working in the DA’s office, “we always looked at all the evidence” when trying to determine how to prosecute a case.

As District Court judge, Deas will hear all cases involving juveniles, child support, civil suits, small claims, misdemeanors and traffic violations outside of municipalities.

A Clarke County native, Deas has worked from an early age. His first job was asphalt paving He worked his way through what is now the University of West Alabama, earning a degree in psychology and sociology. He worked in the mental health field after graduation.

He and his wife Kathryn, who earned her nursing degree from the University of Alabama, both wanted to further their education. He chose to attend the Birmingham School of Law, and she studied to become a nurse anesthetist at UAB.

“Somehow or another we made it through,” he said. “I lived on fig preserves and chicken gizzards.”

Her scholarship from Huntsville Hospital required her to work for several years for the facility, and Deas joined the DA’s office in Madison County while she worked off her contract.

The couple always knew they would move to Demopolis. Deas joined the DA’s office here in 2006.

Former District Judge Wade Drinkard encouraged Deas to apply for the judgeship. At first Deas shelved the idea, but when Drinkard told Deas he wanted Deas to succeed him, the new judge “put a lot of thought into it,” he said.

“It’s an important position, important to the people of this county,” said Deas.

Drinkard didn’t provide any formal mentorship, he continued. “The mentorship was the way he ran his court, the most efficient way it can be run.” Drinkard was fair and dealt with the cases in an efficient way.

“Spending so much time in District Court, it becomes a part of you,” Deas continued. “I want it to be the best It can be.”

All district judges in the state attend continuing education programs to keep them current on changing laws and procedures. In addition, Deas already spends time daily updating himself on the ever-changing field.

The smooth transition between Drinkard and Deas has been in large part because of the support staff.

“The Marengo County Courthouse as a whole in my opinion is one of the best, if not the best,” especially when it comes to the District Court, he said. His staff not only has experience but it has “the right heart.”

Darren Glass is the chief juvenile probation officer. Virginia Norman also is a juvenile probation officer, and Joann Witherspoon handles the office. Suzanne Naisbett, his judicial assistant, “has been instrumental in making sure I have everything I need.”

Deas also has gotten words of encouragement and support from fellow district judges which whom he has worked and from his two sons, Vincent, 12, and Bryant, 8.

Even today Deas can’t explain how he decided to become an attorney. “I really don’t know how it happened,” he said, but the years since earning his law degree has been training for his new post.

“Just like the job, you’ve got to be prepared,” he said.