MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama House Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, who was arrested last year on a misdemeanor harassment charge of third-degree domestic violence, agreed to a settlement in Marion County District Court that will see the case dismissed.
In an email, Estes told Alabama Daily News that he was “grateful for the dismissal of the charges,” but was unable to comment further on the case.
Estes was arrested last September in Winfield after his wife alleged that after locking herself in a room after an altercation, Estes verbally threatened her from behind the door. Court documents also show that Estes’ wife alleged Estes had “turned the heat on” in the room she was in to compel her to open the door.
Estes has denied the allegations, and previously described the incident to ADN as “only a verbal disagreement.”
The case against Estes was dismissed without prejudice, meaning the plaintiff or prosecutor, at their own discretion, may refile similar charges at a later date within the statute of limitations. Given that the charge against Estes was a misdemeanor, the statute of limitations for the charge against him is one year from the date of the offense and expires on Sept. 20, 2025.
As a term for the dismissal, both Estes and his wife have agreed to a two-year no contact order under the terms outlined in the Alabama Protection From Abuse Act, a law enacted in 1981 that serves to shield victims of abuse – which can include threats, harassment or intimidation – from their abusers. Estes also agreed to complete the PEACE Program, a state-certified domestic violence offender program, as a condition of the settlement.
If Estes violates the no-contact order or fails to complete the PEACE Program within the time allotted by the court, the charges against him will be reinstated, the settlement says.
Estes has represented Alabama House District 17 in north Alabama since 2018 and serves on the House committees on public safety and homeland security and education policy. Estes also serves as vice chair of the House committee on children and senior advocacy. Prior to his time as a lawmaker, Estes worked as a journalist with a career spanning nearly 30 years.