MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As Alabama’s 2025 legislative session approaches, set to begin on Feb. 4, two lawmakers face pending criminal charges.
Reps. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, and Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville, both had criminal charges filed against them in 2024. Both have pleaded not guilty in their respective cases.
Tracy Estes
Estes was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of third-degree domestic violence in late August after allegedly threatening physical violence against his wife at their Winfield home in northwest Alabama. According to court records, Estes is alleged to have, after his wife had shut herself in a bedroom, pounded on the door for two hours while shouting threats. Court documents also say Estes had increased the heat within the room to compel her to open the door.
Estes denied the allegations in an email with Alabama Daily News Monday, calling the incident “only a verbal disagreement,” and that he believed that the case “should be resolved soon.”
The court granted Estes’ wife a restraining order against him and ordered Estes to give up his firearms. In September, Estes requested modifications to the conditions of his bond to allow him to travel out of state. His attorney, Jonathan Lowe, cited Estes’ employment as the reason for the request. Estes’ sole employment is the Legislature, according to his most recent required statement of economic interest.
“Defendant, as a requirement of his employment, is required to travel and sometimes his travel involves leaving the state of Alabama,” the motion reads.
Estes’ request for bond condition modification has, as of Jan. 7, not been granted. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 13 at the Marion County Courthouse, where he will be required to give testimony before the court.
Estes was elected to represent Alabama’s 17th House District in 2018, and is a member of the House committees on public safety and homeland security, education policy and children and senior advocacy, the latter he serves as its vice chair. He previously had a career in journalism spanning nearly 30 years.
Kelvin Lawrence
Lawrence was indicted in early July on two felony counts; forgery in the second degree and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. The indictment stems from Lawrence, a home builder, allegedly forging a home builder license from the Home Builders Licensure Board.
The two charges are both Class C felonies, punishable with fines of up to $15,000 and up to 10 years in prison. Lawrence has plead not guilty to both charges. Lawrence did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday from ADN regarding the allegations.
He entered his not guilty plea on July 26. His attorney requested a continuance for his next court hearing which was granted on Sept. 19, with his next court date yet to be scheduled.
The case against Lawrence was announced by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, and is being prosecuted by his office’s Special Prosecutions Division.
Lawrence has served in the Legislature for more than a decade, and was first elected to represent Alabama’s 69th House District in 2014. He previously served as the mayor of Hayneville, which he now represents in the Legislature, and is a member of the House education budget, state government and boards, agencies and commissions committees.
Past incidences
A few Alabama other state lawmakers have had criminal charges filed against them in recent years.
Former State Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, was indicted on charges of money laundering and wire fraud for his role in a kickback scheme involving state funds. Rogers was ultimately sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for his role in the kickback scheme.
In 2023, former State Rep. Fred Plump, D-Birmingham, was indicted on federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges stemming from the same kickback scheme as Rogers was accused of partaking in. Plump was ultimately sentenced to one year in federal prison.
Former State Rep. David Cole, R-Huntsville, was also indicted in 2023, charged with voter fraud after voting in a district he did not reside in. Cole pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay $52,885 in restitution, and sentenced to a three-year sentence, suspended after 60 days.
Rogers, Plump and Cole all resigned from office as a result of the charges against them or their convictions.