MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama judge who resigned earlier this year while under indictment has pleaded guilty to three felony charges of theft and abuse of power.
Doug Patterson’s plea Friday negates his trial that had been scheduled in about two weeks. Instead, he faces up to 40 years in prison at sentencing on Dec. 8.
The plea agreement requires Patterson to repay nearly $73,000 that was stolen from a juvenile court fund and two of his former legal clients.
Patterson was appointed as a district judge in March 2016. He was elected to a full term in 2017.
