ALABAMA: Probate Judges Cave, Agree To Issue Marriage Licenses After Stay Ends

Via the Birmingham News:

The professional association of Alabama's probate judges said Wednesday it now is satisfied that a federal court order striking down the state's same-sex marriage ban applies to them. The Alabama Probate Judges Association had taken the position that the order Friday by U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. "Ginny" Granade in Mobile applied only to the two women who brought the suit and the Attorney General's Office, which was the named defendant.

Lawyers for plaintiffs Cari Searcy and Kim McKeand, as well as same-sex marriage advocates and legal experts, roundly criticized that position. Earlier Wednesday, Granade released a "clarification" making clear that her ruling applied broadly statewide. The Probate Judges Association now is satisfied, as well. That means the final hope for opponents of same-sex marriage is that the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will agree to a request by the state to extend a "stay" Granade ordered delaying the ruling from taking effect until Feb. 9.

We need to start calling it the Hinkle Maneuver.