Alabama: Federal Judge "Clarifies" - Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Applies To ALL Counties

When Federal Judge Granade ruled that Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, the Alabama Probate Judge's Association (probate judges issue marriage licenses in the state) issued an "opinion" that the ruling only applied to the plaintiffs in the case - not the entire state.

Plaintiffs ask for clarification from judge; plaintiffs get clarification from judge.

And it's exactly what we expected. Judge Granade doesn't suffer fools lightly.

From Judge Granade's Clarifying Judgement today:

"Because the court has entered a stay of the Judgment in this case, neither the named Defendant, nor the Probate Courts in Alabama are currently required to follow or uphold the Judgment. However, if the stay is lifted, the Judgment in this case makes it clear that ALA. CONST. ART.I, § 36.03 and ALA.CODE § 30-1-19 are unconstitutional because they violate the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment."

[snip]

"A clerk who chooses not to follow the ruling should take note: the governing statutes and rules of procedure allow individuals to intervene as plaintiffs in pending actions, allow certification of plaintiff and defendant classes, allow issuance of successive preliminary injunctions, and allow successful plaintiffs to recover costs and attorney's fees."

Should the 11th Circuit Court not issue an extended stay on the ruling, the current stay placed on the ruling by Judge Granade will expire and marriage equality will begin in Alabama on February 9th.

You can read the clarification below:

1:14-cv-00208 #65 Order Clarifying Judgment by Equality Case Files