Shelby County Probate Judge Jim Fuhrmeister in a statement today said he is continuing to not issue same-sex marriage licenses because a federal ruling applying to Mobile County does not have an effect on his office.

U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. "Ginny" Granade on Thursday ordered Mobile County Probate Judge Don Davis to start granting marriage licenses to gay couples. The same judge in Mobile issued a ruling last month striking down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage.

Fuhrmeister in his statement today said Granade's order pertaining to Davis "has no more legal impact on Shelby County than if it were issued by a United States District Judge in Georgia, Mississippi or California. Shelby County is not in Judge Granade's District."

Additionally, "The Shelby County Probate Judge is not a party in those civil suits and is not under the jurisdiction of her orders. No court orders have been issued which alter the legal conclusion that the law which applies in Shelby County, Alabama at this point in time is the law of Alabama as adopted by the Alabama Legislature and approved by a vote of the people of Alabama."

As some counties in Alabama began granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples for the first time in the state's history on Monday, Fuhrmeister decided to temporarily halt issuing any marriage licenses. He resumed issuing licenses to opposite-sex couples on Wednesday morning but has chosen not to issue licenses for same-sex couples.

"I believe that my decision in this matter, or any other matter, must be made based on the law which applies at the present time. I do not believe that a judge should impose his or her personal belief, for or against an issue, nor should a decision be based on speculation of what the law may become," Fuhrmeister said in the statement.

"Judge Granade has issued an order which I assume with confidence is based on her understanding of the law which applies in the Southern District of Alabama," he said, referencing Granade's federal judicial district. "Her decision, subject to further judicial review, binds the parties over whom she has jurisdiction in the case before her, the parties who have been served with proper legal process in that case and have had an opportunity to be heard in her lawsuits."

He continued: "The decisions which I make in Shelby County are based on the same principle and on the current law as it applies to my Office and the people in Shelby County seeking marriage licenses. It is a mistake to infer my personal beliefs or opinions from this decision."

Fuhrmeister said he will continue to evaluate the matter. "Of course, I am constantly reviewing my decision with my legal counsel in light of all new court orders to determine if there has been a change in the law which applies to Shelby County or to the Office which I hold," he said.

Here's Fuhrmeister's complete statement: MarriageLicensePressRelease.pdf