Former coach indicted on sexual misconduct charges involving student wants case dismissed
Circuit Judge Emily Johnston, who serves Cullman County, ordered the state to file a written response by July 22, and set a hearing for Aug. 12, at 2:30 p.m.
Mason Reed 
Legal counsel for former Cold Springs High School varsity girls basketball coach Paige Adams has officially petitioned the court to dismiss a series of felony and misdemeanor charges regarding alleged sexual misconduct with a student, court records show.
The Charges
Adams faces two felony counts, specifically for a school employee engaging in sexual acts or deviant behavior with a student, as well as sexual contact with a student under the age of 19. Additionally, she faces 30 misdemeanor charges related to the distribution of obscene material to a student. Following her arrest in April, Adams was booked into the Cullman County Jail and eventually released on $225,000 bond under the condition of electronic monitoring.
The Defense Strategy
The motion for dismissal hinges on the argument that Adams did not possess a position of educational or scholastic authority over the individual involved, who attended a different school within the Cullman County system. Defense filings further contend that the alleged victim is 18 years old. Adams’ legal team argues that because the two were enrolled at different institutions, the statutes invoked in this case are being applied unconstitutionally, asserting that the law is intended to prevent exploitation specifically by those holding authority over students within the same school. The motion emphasizes that these statutes are being improperly applied to the specific circumstances of this case.
Upcoming Legal Proceedings
Circuit Judge Emily Johnston of Cullman County has ordered the state to provide a written response to the motion by July 22. A hearing regarding the matter has been scheduled for Aug. 12 at 2:30 p.m.
Background on the Investigation
Adams, a Cold Springs High School graduate and former state champion player, resigned from her position following an investigation launched in March. She was removed from campus immediately after a formal complaint was received. Reflecting on the situation in March, Cullman County Schools superintendent Dr. Shane Barnette stated, “Our sole focus is protecting the students of Cullman County Schools. We are going to do what is always right, as we always have.”
Coaching Career
Hired in March 2025, Adams led the Cold Springs girls basketball program for one season, during which the team achieved a 23-11 record and reached the Class 2A state championship game. Prior to this role, she served as an assistant coach at Cold Springs and spent time on staff at Holly Pond.
