Judge Chris Speaks was elected to Office on November 8, 2016, and began his term in January 2017. Judge Speaks is a lifelong resident of Chilton County, and a 1983 graduate of Chilton County High School. Judge Speaks graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. degree in Business, and received his Juris Doctorate in 1990 for Jones School of Law. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Speaks practiced law in Chilton County for 26 years.
Judge Speaks serves or has served in numerous civic organizations such as the Lions Club, Lodge 423 F.A.M. Kiwanis Club, P.E.E.ch. and Chilton County High School Gridiron Club, and as president of Chilton County High School Band Boosters.
Judge Speaks is married to Janine M. Speaks, who is the General Counsel for Alabama Emergency Management Agency. They have three children, Taylor, who is a senior at the University of Alabama; Katherine, who is a sophomore at Chilton County High School; and Lilly, who is in the 7th grade at Clanton Middle School. Judge Speaks and his family attend First Methodist Church in Clanton.