As a child growing up in Hunter Station, Alabama, Retired Judge Charles Price both experienced and observed the challenges and courage of the working poor, and, at times, witnessed the injustices suffered by those living in poverty. His experiences imbued him with a strong moral compass, a deep commitment to serve others in his personal and professional life, and an unfailing determination to make life better for all Alabamians. His love for his country guided him to the armed forces, where he did tours of duty as a paratrooper and Green Beret, and as a member of the Army Reserve before retiring at the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Upon graduating from Virginia Union University and George Washington University School of Law (with honors), his professional path led him first to the United States Department of Justice, and then back to his native Alabama where he became an Assistant Attorney General. Later, he served with distinction as Acting District Attorney for Escambia County, Alabama (the first African American District Attorney in Alabama), and Assistant District Attorney for Montgomery County.
There is no better example of his commitment to work for the betterment of Alabama than the 32 years he served as a model Circuit Judge for Montgomery County, retiring in 2015 as Presiding Judge. Additionally, his ethical standards and unflinching courage in protecting the rights of all were recognized in 1997 when he received the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award and the National Education Association’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. Other awards include the American Justice Association’s Johnny Cochran Soaring Eagle Award and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Courage Award for Exemplary Service.
In 2009, he was humbled when the Montgomery County Commission unanimously voted to rename the Montgomery County Courthouse the Phelps-Price Justice Center. His dedication and commitment have been channeled to others through past membership on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (25 years), the Boards of the Cleveland Avenue YMCA, United Way, and Leadership Montgomery. Judge Price has served as President of the Alabama Circuit Judge’s Association, and is a member of the National Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar Association, the Alabama Lawyers Association, the Montgomery County Bar Association, and the Capital City Bar Association. On January 6, 1999, Judge Price was unanimously elected Presiding Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit. Alpha Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has established the Judge Price Scholarship for deserving high school seniors. He has sponsored numerous job fairs in an effort to help combat chronic unemployment. In 2016, he was appointed to the Alabama Ethics Commission and later served as Chair. Judge Price is the Co-author of Alabama Peace Officers’ Guide to Law Enforcement. He has participated in and organized a comprehensive Judicial Seminar at Yale University Law School. Additionally, he helped organize and establish the Gerry Spence Thunderbird Judicial College, DuBose, Wyoming. He has likewise served as president of The Montgomery Chamber of Commerce.
Judge Price teaches Sunday School and serves as a steward on the Board at Saint John’s A.M.E. Church. He currently manages the Price Law Group and is a Senior Advisor to the Honorable Steven Reed, Mayor of the City of Montgomery. Judge Price is married to Bernice B. Price, a retired college Assistant Professor. They are the parents of Susan Yvette Price, a licensed attorney and Sr. Vice Chancellor for System Development and Chief of Staff, Alabama Community College System; and Charles Price, II, a recently selected Birmingham Bar Foundation Fellow and a Birmingham Municipal Court Judge.
