Georgia courts journal, Feb. 2002

G G

G
Journal
Journal

G
Journal

February 2002

Journal

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

Chief Justice Fletcher Addresses General Assembly

On January 18, 2002, speaking in the House Chamber, Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher of the Supreme Court of Georgia addressed the condition of the state's judiciary before a joint session of the General Assembly.
Chief Justice Fletcher painted a picture of the state's court system as one that is working hard to fulfill its mandates. He noted the new focus of the Judicial Council of Georgia as a strong, policy making body that will recommend solutions to improve and strengthen the judicial branch. A new standing budget committee and preparation of legislative impact statements by the AOC will allow the Council to have a greater voice in matters affecting the court system.
The Chief Justice stated that the Judicial Council is committed to studying and developing an acceptable management process for the calculation, collection, and disbursement of court fees. The AOC will conduct the study and the Judicial Council will recommend legislative remedies if warranted.
Good News In an effort to direct more of the
Court's resources to its constitution-

al and statutory duties, Chief Justice Fletcher noted that an evaluation of the Supreme Court's commissions has been underway since September, with the assistance of the National Center for State Courts. Of the
Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher
eleven active commissions, it is anticipated six will be phased out by the end of 2002.
He praised the ongoing work of the Office of Dispute Resolution, noting that in 1990 only three counties offered any type of Alternative Dispute Resolution; today 95 counties have ADR programs. In FY 2000 ADR programs allowed 14,000

cases to be disposed without judicial involvement. This effort plays a vital role in reducing the number of new judgeships required to keep pace with growing caseloads.
The Supreme Court Commission Indigent Defense was applauded for its diligent work toward ending the disparity in quality of indigent defense programs throughout the state. Chief Justice Fletcher spoke of the Commission's review of successful indigent defense programs in other states and the involvement of the Spangenburg Group which will analyze data, make recommendations, and provide assistance.
Budget Chief Justice Fletcher's comments on the judicial branch budget reflected sensitivity to the economic
continued on pg 2

INSIDE

People, Places & Events pg 2

Directory Corrections

pg 3

Fee Schedule Increase

pg 3

Bailiffs Training Video

pg 3

Court Interpreters Program pg 4

2 Georgia Courts Journal February 2002
People, Places and Events ...

RETIREMENTS
Chief Judge Coy H. Temples of the Conasauga Circuit retired from the bench on November 1, 2001 after serving as Superior Court Judge since 1974. Judge William T. Boyett will succeed Judge Temples as Chief Judge.
On January 1, 2002, Judge James W. Oxendine of the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit retired from the bench, having served 15 years on the Gwinnett Superior Court. Formerly, Judge Oxendine served as Chairman and Chief Appellate Judge for the State Board of Worker's Compensation.
IN MEMORIAM
Judge Jefferson L. Davis, Jr., of Cartersville died suddenly on October 20, 2001. Judge Davis was a graduate of the University of Georgia and the UGA Law School. He had served as a Superior Court Judge for the Cherokee Judicial Circuit since 1993.

Judge William W. Daniel, senior judge of the Fulton Superior Court, died on January 8, 2001. Judge Daniel was appointed to the bench in 1979 and had retired in December 2001. Before his time on the bench, Judge Daniel was a prominent criminal defense attorney in Atlanta and in 1977 wrote the book "Georgia Criminal Trial Practice."
APPOINTMENTS
Judge Cynthia Morris has been appointed by Gov. Barnes to fill the unexpired term of Judge Coy H. Temples in the Conasauga Circuit. Judge Morris formerly practiced law as a sole practitioner in Dalton, specializing in civil litigation, family law, and mediation. She was sworn in on January 9, 2002.
On January 17, 2002, Governor Barnes announced his appointment of Marvin Arrington to a newly created seat on the Fulton Superior Court. Judge Arrington is the former President of the Atlanta City Council.

Gwinnett Judges In a ceremony held at the Capitol on January 14, 2002, three new Gwinnett County judges were sworn in by Governor Barnes. Judge William M. Ray, Jr., fills the seat left by the retirement of Judge James W. Oxendine. Judge R. Timothy Hamil, formerly of the Gwinnett County State Court, fills a newly-created judgeship in the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit. Judge Joseph Iannazzone, formerly a Gwinnett County magistrate, takes office as a State Court Judge to fill the seat vacated by Judge Hamil.
Judge James G. Blanchard, Jr., was appointed by Gov. Barnes to the bench in the Augusta Judicial Circuit, filling a new judgeship created by the 2001 General Assembly. Judge Blanchard previously practiced criminal, family, and personal injury law in Augusta. He took the oath of office on January 2, 2002.

Fletcher Speaks to General Assembly continued

downturn, but he emphasized the need to "keep the halls of justice open." With only one percent of the state's revenues devoted to the court system -- and 69% of that money allocated for the superior courts and district attorneys -- he sees the judicial branch request as just covering critical needs.
Please Recycle

Priority Needs He asked the legislators to consider the system's priority needs including more judges and additional space for the expanded Court of Appeals. Other initiatives include: a legal loan forgiveness program being submitted by the Prosecuting Attorney's Council which would allow more lawyers to seek employment as prosecutors, public defenders, etc.; nonpartisan elections for

probate judges and district attorneys; and adoption of mandatory standards for family violence intervention programs.
In closing, Chief Justice Fletcher urged legislators to review and consider the recommendations in the report of the Supreme Court's Blue Ribbon Commission on the Judiciary, "Georgia Courts in the 21st Century."

February 2002 Georgia Courts Journal 3
2001-2002 Georgia Courts Directory Corrections

Some information ran incorrectly or was inadvertently left out of the 2001-2002 Georgia Courts Directory. Please note these corrections.

STATE COURT Burke County Judge Jerry Daniel 706-554-0400
Chatham County Chief Judge Greg Fowler Hgf@statecourt.org
Fulton County Judge Penny Brown Reynolds 404-730-4330

Bryan County Add: Judge Thomas Waters PO Box 670 Pembroke, GA 31321 912-653-3856
Cherokee County Add: Judge Benjamin Abney 90 North Street, Suite 150 Canton, GA 30114 770-479-8516/F 720-6323 benabney@alum.emory.edu

Wilkes County Delete: Phyllis B. Scarborough Add: Deborah L. Davis 23 E. Court Street, Room 427 Washington, GA 30673 706-678-1881/F 678-1865
MUNICIPAL COURT Thunderbolt 2821 River Drive Thunderbolt, GA 31404 912-629-4667/F629-4668

Henry County Bstuddard@co.henry.ga.us
PROBATE COURT Brooks County 229-263-5565
MAGISTRATE COURT Bibb County Delete: Judge Pamela Rogers Add: Judge William M. Shurling, III 601 Mulberry Street Courthouse, Suite 100 Macon, GA 31208 478-749-6506/F 722-5862 jrgray@co.bibb.ga.us

Franklin County Delete: Judge Jesse Trotter Add: Judge Gladyne R. Davison PO Box 467 Carnesville, GA 30521
Macon County Add: Wenda Hill Laulusa PO Box 5 Marshallville, GA 31057 478-472-8509
Walker County Delete: Judge Dana Wallin

SOLICITOR-GENERAL Jenkins County 359 E. Winthrope Avenue tagpc@burke.net
STATE COURT CLERK Henry County Marian Bradberry 40 Atlanta Street, Suite100 McDonough, GA 30253 770-848-7600
SENIOR JUDGE Judge Herbert M. Crane, Jr. Juvenile Court of Bartow County

Fee Schedule Increase

Effective April 1, 2002, the per diem and page rates in the official reporters' fee schedule will increase by 3.5% as approved by the Judicial Council of Georgia.

Per diem
Page Rates Expedited Daily Copies Civil Takedown

$168.60 to 8 hours $188.81 to 9 hours $202.32 maximum $3.36 per page for Orig. + 2 $5.05 per page for Orig. $6.72 per page for Orig. $1.34 per page $ 38.42 per hour

Bailiffs Training Video Available
The Supreme Court Commission on Equality has completed a 39-minute training video entitled "Georgia Bailiffs: Diplomats in a Multicultural Society." The video highlights the role of bailiffs in insuring the perception of justice in our courtrooms. It is designed for use in training new bailiffs as well as refreshing experienced bailiffs.
The project was funded by the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education, the Council of Superior Court Judges, and the Equality Commission. Copies are being distributed to Judges and Court Administrators around the state. For more information, call Marla Moore at 404-6565171.

Georgia Commission on Interpreters in the Courts

October 10, 2001, marked the adoption of a set of rules which established a statewide plan for use of interpreters in the Courts of Georgia. The Georgia Commission on Interpreters for Non-English Speakers was created to develop criteria for training and certification of interpreters and to establish standards of conduct, register interpreters, and collect data.
The Commission consists of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; a judge of the Court of Appeals; judges from the Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate, and

Ms. Cristina Franco, Program Director for the Georgia Commission on Interpreters in the Courts

Municipal courts; members of the State Bar of Georgia and Georgia General Assembly; and three nonlawyer public members.
The Georgia Commission on Interpreters is staffed through the AOC by Program Director Cristina Franco. Ms. Franco has worked as a freelance court interpreter in Georgia for eight years. She attended Universidad Javeriana in Bogata, Colombia; Baruch College, City University of New York; and New York University. Ms. Franco can be reached at 244 Washington Street, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30334; telephone 404-463-6478.

Georgia Courts Journal
Administrative Office of the Courts
244 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30334-5900

PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT #1880

NORMAN S. FLETCHER Chief Justice
DAVID L. RATLEY Director
BILLIE BOLTON Senior Communications Officer
ASHLEY G. STOLLAR Editor/Graphic Design