Colbert sheriff district judge developing litter crew

TUSCUMBIA — Colbert County Sheriff Eric Balentine is developing a program that would allow certain criminal defendants facing misdemeanor charges to work off fines or restitution by picking up trash along roadways in the county. Balentine is working with new District Judge Chad Smith on the program, which he hopes to start later this year. Balentine said the program wasn’t something he talked about during his campaign, but he has been asked why the county didn’t have a program that is being used elsewhere in the state, such as Walker County. “If it’s working for them, why wouldn’t it work…