WILCOX COUNTY COMMISSION

The Wilcox County District / Juvenile Judge's Office is one of the busiest Courts, in Alabama.  This Court of limited jurisdiction, is responsible for all traffic cases; child support cases; criminal misdemeanor trials; felony preliminary hearings; juvenile, both delinquency and dependency; small claims and other civil cases; Truancy Early Warning Program and drug court.

Judge Jo Celeste Pettway has served as the District/ Juvenile Court Judge since August 04, 1984.  A graduate of Alabama Lutheran Academy (now Concordia College-Selma), Auburn University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (B.S.W., M.S.W.) and the University of Alabama School of Law (J.D.)   Prior to being appointed, by the late Governor George C. Wallace, Judge Pettway was a solo practitioner in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and an associate with the firm of England and Bivens (now Bivens Law Firm.)

As the Juvenile Judge, Judge Pettway chairs the Wilcox County Children’s Policy Council, which is mandated by law, to assess the needs of Wilcox County’s Youth and coordinate a system of services for the County’s youth. Judge Pettway is committed to the youth of the county and serves on numerous boards and participates in many community projects.

The “JUDGES” Program, a youth leadership development program,

strives to guide youth in making positive decisions and developing skills for their success in school and life.

Judge Pettway is supported by Administrative Assistance, Mrs. Golder Harris, a graduate of Stillman College and an active member of the community.  Mrs. Harris serves as Co-chairman of the Wilcox County Children’s Policy Council.  Mrs. Harris serves as the associate intake officer for Juvenile Court.

The Wilcox County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Ms. LaShelle Pettway, a graduate of Troy University, is the intake officer for Juvenile Court and is also  charged with supervising delinquent youth, developing programs to deter juvenile crime, and working cooperatively with the Department of Youth Services, the Wilcox County Department of Human Resources, and other agencies, in the System of Services for Wilcox County’s Youth.