Riggs Walker
Republican | Alabama
Candidate Profile
Originalist
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Jones School of Law, Montgomery, Juris Doctor, -1998
Auburn University, Auburn, Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, 1986-1991
WORK & MILITARY
Office of Alabama Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, 2019-
10th Judicial Circuit, Deputy District Attorney, 1999-2019
15th Judicial Circuit, Clerk, Circuit Judge William A. Shashy, 1998-1999
Office of Alabama Attorney General, Clerk, 1997-1998
AFFILIATIONS
Eastwood Presbyterian Church, Member, 2020-
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Member, 2017-2020
Red Mountain Presbyterian Church, Member, 2014-2017
Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Member/Deacon, 1999-2014
Macon County Farmers Federation Board, Member, 2023-
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1, 2018-
10th Judicial Circuit, Place 4, 2016-
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Alabama Republican Assembly ALRA
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Alabama Republican Assembly (ALRA)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
“The role of an appellate judge is not to create policy, but to ensure that the law has been properly and fairly applied,” Walker said. “I have spent my career standing up for the rule of law. I am ready to serve on day one.”
“I am running for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals because we need judges who are experienced, principled, and committed to the rule of law,” Walker said.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: In Dobbs, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal constitution does not confer a right to abortion.)
I agree with the Dobbs decision.
Does the federal Constitution support the right to physician assisted suicide? Please explain in light of Washington v. Glucksberg (1997).
The federal Constitution does not include a right to take one's own life. Washington v. Glucksberg recognized that taking one's own life is not a fundamental right warranting protection under the Due Process Clause.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
How do you view the judiciary’s role in matters of abortion regulation following Dobbs?
Abortion regulation falls under the purview of the individual states and their courts.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Do you believe religious liberty is at risk in the United States. If so, what is the judiciary's proper role in addressing this issue?
I do believe religious liberty is at risk in the United States. The role of the judiciary is to uphold religious rights under the First Amendment, including the right to freedom of religious expression and practice.
Does the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment require government to be strictly secular or does it allow for the nation's religious heritage?
Properly interpreted, it would allow for public recognition of religious heritage.
Was Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: The U.S. Supreme Court held tha the state may not show religious hostility when enforcing anti-discrimination laws against a business owner.)
I agree with the Court's decision. The cake baker was within his rights to refuse to support a practice that violated his own religious principles.
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm a Christian. I hold to the Bible as God's inspired word and order my life accordingly.
What is your understanding of parental rights under the Constitution regarding the upbringing of children, particularly regarding choices about education and sexual identity?
Parents are responsible to raise their children according to the dictates of their own consciences and should be free to make decisions about the teachings to which their children are exposed. Parents have a right to be informed if a school system engages with their child on the subject of sexual identity.
Is gender identity a protected class under the Constitution? Please explain the constitutional basis for your view.
Gender identity is not a protected class under the Constitution.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2016 Republican Primary 2016 General Election 2018 Republican Primary 2018 General Election 2020 Republican Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Republican Primary 2022 General Election 2024 Republican Primary 2024 General Election
I have answered this question to the best of my recollection.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Describe your judicial philosophy.
I believe judges should follow the law and limit their exercise of discretion to only the powers designated to them by constitution or statute.
Do you believe judges should primarily apply the law according to its original public meaning, or do you believe the law evolves over time to reflect contemporary values?
The Constitution should be interpreted according to original intent. Judges should uphold the law and not create law.
Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
Antonin Scalia.
Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: The U.S. Supreme Court held Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses create a right for same-sex couples to marry.)
No.
A. How should a judge approach a case where the constitutional or statutory text is clear on its face? B. Conversely, how should a judge proceed when the text is ambiguous or silent on a disputed issue?
A judge should follow the clear text. When ambiguity is present in the application of a statue, a judge should exercise discretion cautiously to give the meaning and effect intended by the statute.
What is your view of judicial restraint versus judicial activism? How do you define each?
I favor judicial restraint. Judicial activism invades the province of the legislature.
What is the proper role of a judge?
A judge's proper role is to follow the law and not create law.
When applying or interpreting the text of a statute or constitutional provision, is it ever proper for a judge to consider present day public opinion or consequences?
No.
If precedent departs from the Constitution’s text or original meaning, should a judge follow it or correct the error? Please explain.
The judge should correct the error.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
The burden of proof in a criminal case is generally that the state must provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Some say the reason the burden of proof is so high is because we greatly value ensuring that the innocent are not unjustly imprisoned. Please comment on this topic.
I agree that proof beyond a reasonable doubt is the best burden of proof standard by which to decide criminal charges.
When reviewing wrongful conviction claims, what role, if any, should judges play in determining remedies?
The decision regarding what remedy is proper in the case of a wrongful conviction should be guided by a procedure established by the legislative branch. The judge's role is to follow that procedure.
2ND AMENDMENT
What is your understanding of the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms?
The Second Amendment establishes that we the people have the right to possess arms. The Amendment states that the right "shall not be infringed," the strongest legal language available to prohibit infringements on that right.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
Article One of the Constitution places the greatest power in the legislative branch.
