Georgia courts journal, Apr. 2003

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Journal
Journal

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Journal

April 2003

Journal

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

Chief Justice Praises State of Judiciary; Calls for Reforms

Address to General Assembly
Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher delivered his State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Georgia House and Senate on January 31, 2003.
"We have competent, dedicated judges at all levels; judges who take seriously the solemnity of their oaths, their duties and the important roles they play in our form of government," the Chief Justice said.
He called on the legislature to support initiatives ranging from nonpartisan election of probate judges and district attorneys to the findings of the Governor's Commission on Certainty in Sentencing and the Commission on Indigent Defense. He named certainty in sentencing and indigent defense the two most pressing issues facing the courts today.
Indigent Defense
"This indigent defense reform package is the right thing to do and this is the time to act. So, let us `finish the drill' together and enjoy the reward that flows from doing what our hearts tell us is right," the Chief Justice said.
The Chief Justice also highlighted other accomplishments in the past year.

Court fees: The AOC has almost completed a report on the collection of court fees. "The preliminary report indicates there is significant
Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher room for improvement which should result in the collection of additional millions of dollars for distribution to both the general fund and to the specific beneficiary groups designated by statute," Chief Justice Fletcher said.
The report should help the legislature decide which fees to keep and which to discontinue. The AOC has already begun training municipal court staff in fee collection procedures and has developed a webbased fee calculator to assist them.

Commission on Interpreters: The need for interpreters has grown along with the diversity of Georgia's population, Chief Justice Fletcher stated. "Our Commission on Interpreters has stepped up to the plate and is doing an exceptional job meeting that demand." He also praised the leadership of Justice Carol Hunstein in the development of this vital service.
Sentencing Reform: Chief Justice Fletcher urged support for the findings of the Governor's Commission on Certainty in Sentencing. He noted that adoption of the Commission's findings "...will help
continued on pg 2

INSIDE

Court of Appeals Honors

Former Chief Judges

pg 2

Case Count

pg 3

Fulton County Juvenile

Justice Center

pg 4

Columbia County

Justice Center

pg 6

Web Consortium

pg 7

People, Places & Events pg 8

Directory Corrections pg 10

2 Georgia Courts Journal April 2003
State of Judiciary Address
continued
judges and prosecutors boost the public's confidence in equal justice by insuring that people who have committed similar crimes and have similar criminal backgrounds get similar sentences, without regard to their sex, race, or economic means, or where the case was tried."
Chief Justice Fletcher also noted that family violence remains a severe problem in the state. "We are encouraging all judges to be involved in local efforts to end family violence and to coordinate the response of the courts with law enforcement, healthcare, prosecution, and other important community stake holders who have an investment in ending family violence," he said.
The Report of the Governor's Commission on Certainty in Sentencing can be viewed at www.sentencing.state.ga.us
Supreme Court Pilot Project Grants Appeals of Divorce Judgments Automatically
The Supreme Court has begun a pilot project under which appeals of divorce cases will be automatically granted unless the application is found to be frivolous by a majority vote of the Court. The project applies to all divorce discretionary applications filed with the Court between January 6, 2003, and December 16, 2003. The Court may assess a penalty up to $2,500 for a frivolous appeal. Attorneys filing must certify that the application "is not taken for the purpose of delay, harassment or embarrassment." Further information may be found at www2.state.ga.us/ Courts/Supreme under the link Family Law Pilot Project.

Court of Appeals Honors Judge Beasley, Justice Carley

On November 18, 2002, Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley, the first woman to serve on the Georgia Court of Appeals and the first woman Chief Judge, was honored for her

service to the court.

Many friends,

family members, and

colleagues attended

the unveiling ceremo-

ny in the Court of

Appeals courtroom.

Presiding Judge John

H. Ruffin spoke of

Judge Beasley as a scholar, pioneer, and

Judge Dorothy T. Beasley along with her family stands beside her portrait at the unveiling ceremony.

maker of history. Senior Judge Marion T. Pope noted Judge

Beasley's many accomplishments during her time on the bench.

The portrait, which will hang in the Court of Appeals court-

room, was unveiled by Mrs. Beatrice Dodd Toth, Judge Beasley's

mother, and her sisters, Virginia Toth Palmer and Stephanie Toth

Wells.

Supreme Court Justice George H. Carley was honored for his service on the Court of Appeals on February 25, 2003. His portrait was unveiled and will hang in the Court of Appeals

Courtroom.

Former Governor

George Busbee and

Mr. Harry L. Cashin,

Jr., paid tribute to the

Justice's distin-

guished service.

Justice Carley's

grandsons, Matthew

and Alex Carley,

Justice George H. Carley, accompanied by his wife, Sandra, stands beside his portrait.

unveiled the portrait before a large crowd

of family, friends, and colleagues.

Justice Carley served on the Court of Appeals from 1979 to

1993, serving as Chief Judge from 1991 to 1993. In 1993, he was

appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Zell Miller.

April 2003 Georgia Courts Journal 3
New Procedures Streamline Annual Case Count

Case count season has begun again in Georgia and this year new procedures will be used. Previously the District Court Administrators (DCAs) have compiled the superior court caseload in the 49 circuits. This year, staff from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) will take over that responsibility.
The case count is used to prepare the annual judgeship study for the superior courts. Counting the cases filed in any particular court is one way of measuring the workload in that court. The General Assembly consults data on case counts when deciding whether to create more judgeships. The data is also analyzed to research specific issues, such as multiyear trends in types of cases.
Nationally, case count data is used to support applications for fed-

eral grants and to compare the workload of Georgia's and other states' trial courts.
AOC teams have received training to enable them to do their work with consistency and accuracy. "The foremost consideration is that the caseload data be collected uniformly throughout the state," said Ms. Jane Martin, AOC Senior Research Associate.
Criminal case count changes
The AOC will collect case count data electronically. However, for counties that do not have this capability, staff will visit and assemble the data by hand.
To achieve uniformity, all criminal cases now will be counted on a per defendant basis, according to Mr. Greg Arnold, AOC Assistant Director for Research and

2003-2004 DIRECTORY UPDATE
It's That Time Again!
Production of the 2003-2004 Georgia Courts Directory will soon be underway. Your help is needed so that we can provide accurate information.
Address Verification postcards will be in the mail soon. Please return your card ASAP!

Technology. Some counties already follow this docketing practice, but in others, even if several defendants were named, only one docket would be counted.
Cases will be counted by filings only instead of by both filings and dispositions. Data on dispositions of cases by type, such as guilty plea, jury trial, charges dismissed will be compiled only if a circuit requests a new judgeship.
Unified Appeals (death penalty cases) will be counted based on information provided by the local District Attorney, not from the docket.
Other case count changes
This year, data on civil cases will be gathered by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority. In previous years, civil data was counted by DCAs.
The AOC will now collect data on cases involving indigent defendants. "Our research shows that indigent defense data is going to be difficult to collect, since generally it is not available on the docket. It is kept in a variety of different ways by counties, and will require a separate data collection effort," Mr. Arnold said. The data will be used to verify caseload numbers that counties submit to the Georgia Indigent Defense Council in grant applications.
For more information on the new case counting procedures, contact Ms. Jane Martin, Research and Technology, at 404-656-5171.

4 Georgia Courts Journal April 2003
Fulton County Juvenile Court: New Courthouse Keeps Kids in Mind

Fulton County's light-filled new Romae T. Powell Juvenile Justice Center is

facility that is user-friendly," said Judge Hickson. She noted that the library has agreed to place reading

Spacious Courtrooms
The first and second floors house the services most used by the

now open for business.

materials in the courthouse for chil-

public, including probation

The new courthouse is a

offices. Four courtrooms

multipurpose center dedi-

used mainly for delinquency

cated to finding solutions

hearings occupy the third

for children whose lives

floor. Defendants in custody

have gotten off to a trou-

are brought from basement

bled start.

holding cells in separate ele-

A Community Facility

vators to the designated courtroom. Deprivation

The design of the new

cases are heard in four

courthouse is intended to

courtrooms located on the

cut down on the stress

fourth floor. Each courtroom

children, families and

has separate tables for repre-

court officers usually feel in such situations. At the main entrance, a four-story

The new Juvenile Justice Center is named in honor of Judge Romae T. Powell (inset).

sentatives of the State and the child or family involved, and also for the child advocate

wall of glass opens into a spacious

dren to enjoy and keep. "We will

attorneys or guardians ad litem who

atrium. On both sides of the atrium,

have a real opportunity to deal with

represent the best interests of the

large artworks designed by Atlanta's literacy among the children," she

child.

CherryLion Sculpture Studios and

said.

continued on pg 5

made by children under court super-

vision brighten the walls. For Chief Presiding Judge Nina
R. Hickson, Presiding Judge

TNaoktee

New Addresses for Fulton Juvenile Court Judges and Staff

Sanford J. Jones and the five associ-

ate judges of the juvenile court, the new building is a welcome change.
Built at a cost of $31.2 million,

Chief Presiding Judge Nina Hickson 395 Pryor Street, 3rd Floor Atlanta, GA 30312 404-224-4815/F 302-8495

Assoc. Judge David Getachew-Smith 395 Pryor Street, 3rd Floor Atlanta, GA 30312 404-224-4851/F 730-1121

the new building is designed for efficiency. It features separate hallways, elevators and even waiting areas that minimize contact between judges, parties, and witnesses.
The entrance floor features a branch library that occupies 8,000

Presiding Judge Sanford J. Jones 395 Pryor Street, 4th Floor Atlanta, GA 30312 404-224-4822/F 302-8588
Chief Assoc. Judge Charles G. Hodges 395 Pryor Street, 4th Floor Atlanta, GA 30312 404-224-4712/F 730-1121

Assoc. Judge Sharon N. Hill 395 Pryor Street, 3rd Floor Atlanta, GA 30312 404-224-4871/F 730-1121
Assoc. Judge Juliette Wiltshire Scales 395 Pryor Street, 3rd Floor Atlanta, GA 30303 404-224-4881/F 730-1121

of the courthouse's 187,000 square feet.
"The community was involved in the planning, and they see it as a

Assoc. Judge George Blau 395 Pryor Street, 3rd Floor Atlanta, GA 30312 404-224-4841/F 730-1121

Court Administrator/Clerk Michael N. Wilson 395 Pryor Street, SW, Suite 3128 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-224-4675/F 224-4680

April 2003 Georgia Courts Journal 5

Study on Automation Service Delivery in GA Courts

The Administrative Office of the Courts has entered into an agreement with BearingPoint, a national consulting group, for a review of Information

Fulton County Juvenile Justice Center continued

A Place for Everyone

The courthouse provides

space for representatives of all the

agencies involved in delinquency

and deprivation proceedings: pub-

lic defend-

ers, district

attorneys,

special

assistant

attorneys

general, the

Department

of Family

and

Children's Services, child advo-

Chief Presiding Judge Nina Hickson

cate attorneys, the Citizens' Panel

Review program, the Fulton

County Court Appointed Special

Advocates (CASA) program, and

mediation and truancy interven-

tion programs. The building also

houses a professionally staffed

mental health unit.

The building is a tribute to its

namesake, the late Romae T.

Powell, a revered Fulton County

Juvenile Court judge who was the

first African American appointed

to a Georgia court of record.

Technology service delivery in the state court system. The study will focus on current policies, roles and responsibilities of the AOC, the Georgia Courts Automation Commission and the Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. These agencies share the common goal of automation of court system procedures -- a system that includes 159 county clerk's offices, 49 superior court circuits and numerous county-level state courts, probate courts and magistrate courts.

The final work product will describe current initiatives of each of these court system agencies as well as the efforts of the (executive branch) Georgia Technology Authority. The report will contain specific recommendations for coordinating and restructuring Information Technology policymaking and service delivery within the state court system.
For additional information on the BearingPoint study please contact Mr. Vince Harris, AOC Associate Director for Administration, at 404-656-5171.

Measuring Success: A Colorful Message from Drug Court

How can courts measure the success of their work? The Municipal Court of Thunderbolt's Drug Court need only point to "The Dangers of Drinking: A Coloring Book" to know its message is getting through. The book was created by Robert Ashman, a participant in the Thunderbolt program. Drug Court Administrator Patrick Flynn says that, "Robert's achievement is just one example of what can happen when early intervention is put into place."
"The Dangers of Drinking" warns of the physical and mental consequences of abusing alcohol.

It also offers activities to keep kids away from alcohol.
The coloring book will be distributed to Chatham County Schools.

6 Georgia Courts Journal April 2003
Columbia County Justice Center Dedicated

The new Columbia County Justice Center in Evans was dedicated November 20,

Technology and Tradition
Augusta Circuit Superior Court judges assigned to Columbia County

2002. U.S. Supreme Court Justice

are enjoying the new courthouse.

Anthony M. Kennedy was the invit- "It's a useful facility," said Judge

ed speaker. Justice Kennedy spoke

Neal W. Dickert. "It has all the mod-

of the need for justice, and those on

ern technology of a new building

the frontlines of administering jus-

but maintains a traditional appear-

tice, to be tradi-

ance that is very attrac-

tional as well as

tive, and it meets the

forward-looking.

needs of the county."

With its new

Judge Robert L.

technology, archi-

Allgood concurs. "The

tecture, and feel,

courthouse has worked out

the Columbia

very well," he said. "The

County Justice

technology is first class

Center enables

and we have much more

the community to

have, as a free society must, "a functioning legal

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy speaks to the crowd at the dedication ceremony.

system" that allows "free peoples to

govern themselves." The Dedication Ceremony, held
on the front lawn of the new facility, was attended by all Augusta Judicial Circuit superior court judges, local county commissioners both past and

Ceremonial courtroom in the Columbia County Justice Center.

present, Evans County Probate

Judge Pat Hardaway, local bar offi-

space. It handles prisoners better

cials, courthouse personnel, and a

and we have improved security."

large crowd of citizens and invited

The 72,000 square foot court-

guests. Justice Kennedy was intro-

house is designed for efficiency,

duced by Chief Judge William M.

security and the demands of an elec-

Fleming, Jr. A history of Columbia

tronic society. Its courtrooms are

County as reflected by the old court- equipped with a video presentation

house and the new was presented by system that can broadcast pictures,

superior court Judge James G.

X-rays, computer presentations, and

Blanchard, Jr.

audio throughout the courtroom.

Pride in the new facility was

Electronic data storage and data

apparent throughout the ceremony

transmission have reduced the

and the reception following. Many

amount of space needed for library

people took time to tour the building facilities.

and enjoy the music and refresh-

Judge Dickert noted that the

ments provided.

new technology is not yet being

used to its full potential. "Lawyers need to use it and feel comfortable with it, and that is taking a little while," he said.
Planning for the Future
Tenth District Court Administrator Tom Gunnels says many needs have to be addressed in courthouse design. Intensive planning for security is now a necessity. For example, circulation patterns in the new courthouse were designed to keep court staff, the public and criminal defendants separated. "They should not meet except in the courtroom," Mr. Gunnels said. The
Columbia County courthouse also has sophisticated video monitoring of interior and outside spaces.
Mr. Gunnels says courthouse design should be flexible enough to adapt to new technology as it is developed. Energy efficiency and provision for expansion and future growth are other important factors. Customer-friendly service is also being given high priority in the design of other new courthouses in the Tenth District, Mr. Gunnels said. "The lower floors have the offices the public is most likely to visit, like the Clerk of Superior Court's office and Probate Court. People need to be able to conduct their business with the minimum amount of problems."

April 2003 Georgia Courts Journal 7
Web Design Consortium at Work

Mr. Brian Collins, AOC Webmaster, talks about the services provided by the AOC's Web Design Consortium.

Q. What is the purpose of the

Web Design Consortium?

B.C. The AOC is working hard to

provide a web

presence for

all the courts

and judicial

agencies in

Georgia. The

consortium

began with contracts with

Mr. Brian Collins

Kennesaw

State University, Valdosta State

University, Georgia Southern

University, and Sandersville

Technical College

Faculty and student at these

schools work on web design, under

the direction of Mr. Greg Arnold,

AOC Assistant Director for

Technology and Research.

Q. Why do courts need a web page? B.C. These days, almost everybody

is on-line. People are used to buying things on-line, checking stock quotes, researching; just about everything you might think of, people are doing on-line.
It isn't a stretch to assume that people want to find out about the courts on-line, too. A page with basic information -- an address, phone number, driving instructions -- is more helpful to citizens who might need to find your court than having no web presence at all.
Q. Can my web page go beyond just basic information? B.C. There's no limit to what your page can encompass. We'll work to make sure you have what you want the public to see.
Q. Has there been a lot of interest from courts? B.C. Since May 2000, the AOC web consortium has developed sites for about 80 courts and agencies. Websites have also been created, or are being developed, for each judicial administrative district.

Web Projects in Development
Kennesaw State University --State Court of Fulton County; Magistrate Court of Fulton County; Council of Magistrate Court Judges homepage; Northeastern Judicial Circuit.
Valdosta State University -- Alapaha Judicial Circuit; Southwestern Judicial Circuit; Tifton Judicial Circuit; Worth County Probate Court; Valdosta Municipal Court.
Georgia Southern University -- Brunswick Judicial Circuit; Bibb County Civil and Magistrate Court; Montgomery County Probate Court; First, Third, and Eighth Judicial Administrative District updates.

Q. How much does it cost to use the web consortium's services? B.C. Our web page development services are offered free of charge.
Q. Will I have to travel to Atlanta to get the work done on my web page? B.C. You won't need to leave your office. The AOC has contracted with several colleges and universities throughout the state. Once you express interest in our services, I will come to your office to discuss exactly what you want.
Q. How long will it take to put a web page up? B.C. Initial development time averages from six weeks to two months. The main consideration is how quickly you provide content to the school so that work on your web page can go forward.
Q. Is there going to be a big hassle when my information needs to be updated? B.C. No hassle at all. When changes need to be made, let me know what needs updating. Contact me at 404-463-0837 or collinsb@gaaoc.us
Q. Is the web consortium working on other projects? B.C. One project we're excited about is the development of databases with web interfaces. Soon courts will be able to submit caseload data to the AOC using this technology. This will result in less paperwork on each side.

Sandersville Technical College -- Online Caseload Reporting Database.

8 Georgia Courts Journal April 2003

People, Places and Events ...

In Memoriam
Senior Judge William (Billy) Shaw Abney, of LaFayette, died November 18, 2002. Judge Abney served as judge of the juvenile court of Walker and Catoosa counties for 26 years. He retired in 1997. He earned his law degree from the University of Georgia.
Judge Glen H. Evans, former Jackson County magistrate, died December 17, 2002.
Senior Judge A.R. Kenyon of Gainesville died February 18, 2003. Judge Kenyon became a senior judge of the Northeastern Circuit in 1986, after serving twenty years on the bench. He obtained his law degree from the University of Georgia after serving in the Army Infantry in World War II.
AG Opinion
OFFICIAL OPINION Updating of crimes and offenses for which the Georgia Crime Information Center is authorized to collect and file fingerprints. Adds twelve misdemeanor charges for which fingerprints must be collected by GCIC. This opinion supersedes 2002 Op. Att'y Gen. 02-07. (2/20/03 No. 2003-3)
Note: For full text of the opinion, visit the Attorney
General's website, http://www.ganet.org/ago

Retirements
Chief Judge William Ison was honored with a reception in December in recognition of his 25 years on the Clayton County Superior Court bench. A portrait of Judge Ison was unveiled and will hang in the Harold R. Banke Justice Center. He was appointed by Gov. George Busbee in 1977, after serving as district attorney for 5 years. Judge Ison officially retired on December 31, 2002, and takes senior status.
Chief Judge Ben Miller, of the Griffin Judicial Circuit, retired on December 31, 2002. Judge Miller served for 12 years as district attorney of the Griffin Circuit prior to his appointment by Gov. George Busbee in 1977 to the superior court bench. Judge Miller has assumed senior status.
Judge William J. Smith, of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, retired on December 31, 2002, after serving 14 years on the superior court bench. He was appointed in 1988, after serving 10 years as district attorney.
Chief Judge T. Penn McWhorter, of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, retired on December 31, 2002. A reception was held in his honor at the Winder

Community Center with many judges and well-wishers in attendance. Judge McWhorter was appointed to the superior court bench in 1986, after serving as city attorney for Winder for 26 years. He will continue to hear cases as a senior judge.
Chief Judge Joseph Gaines was sworn-in as a senior judge of the Superior Courts on December 12, 2002. Judge Gaines served the Western Judicial Circuit for 26 years before his retirement.
Court of Appeals
The Honorable J.D. Smith took the oath of office to become
Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals on January 7, 2003. Judge Smith was appointed to the Court Appeals in 1993, after serving on the superior court bench in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit.
Judge A. Harris Adams was sworn in as the newest member of
the Court of Appeals of Georgia on December 30, 2002, in the House Chambers of the State Capitol. Judge Adams, who served 18 years as a judge of the State Court of Cobb County, was appointed to the Court of Appeals seat by Gov. Roy Barnes.

Nolan Named GCAC Director

The Georgia Courts Automation Commission (GCAC) named Mr. George Nolan as Executive Director effective February 1, 2003. Mr. Nolan served as Interim Director of the Commission for five months.
Mr. Nolan began his infor- Mr. George Nolan mation services career in 1964 as a computer operator for the Bell System. He has been involved in the planning, develop-

ment, support and management of information systems in business, banking and state government. He received his education in Management and Information Systems from the University of Georgia, Mercer University and Georgia State University.
He joined the staff of the Administrative Office of the Courts in 1975 and served on the development team that designed and implemented Georgia's first fully automated judicial information system.
Mr. Nolan served as the Georgia Courts Automation Commission's first Executive Director from 1990 until 1996.

People, Places and Events ... continued

Appointments
Before leaving office on January 16, 2003, Governor Roy Barnes made the following appointments:
Superior Courts
Piedmont Circuit, Judge Joseph H. Booth
Chattahoochee Circuit, Judge Roxann Gray Daniel
Griffin Circuit, Judge Tommy R. Hankinson
State Court
Appling County, Judge Emmett Johnson, Jr.
Cobb County, Judge Kathryn Tanksley
DeKalb County, Judge Janis C. Gordon

Effingham County, Judge Ronald Thompson
Forsyth County Judge Philip C. Smith
Grady County Judge John Bass
Henry County Judge James Troy Chafin, III
Gov. Roy Barnes appointed Penny A. Penn as District Attorney for the Bell-Forsyth Circuit. Ms. Penn fills the vacancy left by Philip Smith's move to the State Court of Forsyth County.
Benjamin S. Richardson was appointed by Gov. Roy Barnes as Solicitor-General for Muscogee County.

April 2003 Georgia Courts Journal 9
Changes in Phone/ Fax Numbers in
Macon/Bibb County
Effective January 1, 2003, phone numbers in many judicial offices in Bibb County were changed. Numbers with the 749 exchange were changed to 621. See below
for a listing of those affected.
Superior Court Judges: Chief Judge Tommy Day Wilcox Judge G. Bryant Culpepper Judge Martha C. Christian Judge S. Phillip Brown Judge Lamar W. Sizemore, Jr.
State Court Judges: Judge William P. Adams
Juvenile Court Judges: Judge Thomas J. Matthews Judge Quintress J. Gilbert
Note: Judge Kapiloff's number does NOT change
Probate Court Judge: Judge William J. Self, II
Magistrate Court Judges: Judge William C. Randall,
Chief Magistrate Judge Selinda D. Handsford Judge Dorothy Pertilla Judge Jane E. Reeves Judge William M. Shurling, III Judge John R. Watts
District Court Administrator: Greg Jones
Superior Court Clerk: Dianne Brannen
State Court Clerk: Marlene M. Johnson
Juvenile Court Clerk: Steve Pace District Attorney: Howard Sims Solicitor-General: Otis L. Scarbury
Official Court Reporters: Kathryn C. Geeslin Elizabeth Holloway Elizabeth S. Lyles Connie K. Martens

10 Georgia Courts Journal April 2003

2002-2003 Georgia Courts Directory Corrections

SUPERIOR COURT Augusta Circuit Judge Robert L. Allgood PO Box 2657 Evans, GA 30809-2657 706-312-7355/F 312-7365

Please note these corrections/additions.

Towaliga Circuit Judge Thomas H. Wilson One Courthouse Square, 2nd Fl. PO Box 950 Forsyth, GA 31029 478-994-7658/F 994-7660

DeKalb County Judge Janis Gordon Suite 108, The Callaway Building 120 W. Trinity Place Decatur, GA 30030 404-687-3999/F 687-3989

Judge Neal W. Dickert PO Box 2656 Evans, GA 30809-2656 706-312-7356/F 312-7365
Chattahoochee Circuit Judge Roxann Gray Daniel PO Box 1340 Columbus, GA 31902-1340 706-653-4266/F 653-4268
Clayton Circuit Judge Stephen E. Boswell Harold R. Banke Justice Center 9151 Tara Boulevard Jonesboro, GA 30236 770-477-3432/F 473-5827
Griffin Circuit Judge Tommy Richard Hankinson 132 East Solomon Street PO Box 1527 Griffin, GA 30224 770-467-4329/F 467-4333
Piedmont Circuit Judge Joseph H. Booth 30 North Broad Street PO Box 685 Winder, GA 30680-0685 770-307-3032/F 307-3033

Western Circuit Judge David R. Sweat PO Box 1706 Athens, GA 30603 706-613-3186/F 613-3187
SENIOR JUDGES OF THE STATE COURT Judge Robert E. McDuff 4345 King Valley Drive Smyrna, GA 30082
STATE COURT Appling County Judge E. Preston Johnson, Jr. 442 North Boulevard PO Box 304 Baxley, GA 31515-0304 912-367-2476/F 367-4650 prestonj@altamaha.net
Cobb County Judge David Darden Division I 12 E. Park Square Marietta, GA 30090 770-528-1721/F 528-1726
Judge Kathryn Johnson Tanksley Division I 12 E. Park Square Marietta, GA 30090 770-528-1701/F 528-1710

Judge John Panos 604 DeKalb County Courthouse 556 N. McDonough Street Decatur, GA 30030 404-371-2354/F 687-3524
Effingham County Judge Ronald Thompson 901 N. Pine Street PO Box 1074 Springfield, GA 31329 912-754-8853/F 754-6071
Forsyth County Judge Philip C. Smith 100 W. Courthouse Square Suite 200 Cumming, GA 30040 770-205-4654
Grady County Judge John W. Bass, Sr. 311 N. Broad Street PO Box 88 Cairo, GA 39828-0088 229-377-2424/F 377-7228
Henry County Judge James T. Chafin, III PO Box 2000 McDonough, GA 30253 770-898-9550/F 898-9601 JimChafin@worldnet.att.net

April 2003 Georgia Courts Journal 11

Court Reporters Gather to Learn about Electronic Filing

In October 2002, the Supreme Court ordered that official court reporters must file an electronic copy of a transcript, along with a hard copy, in all death penalty
Directory Corrections cont.
Turner County Judge John Holland 320 North Street PO Box 824 Ashburn, GA 31714-0824 229-567-2824

appeals. A two-hour class, coordinated by the Clerk of the Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts, was held in January to educate official reporters on this new rule.
The twentyseven participants were instructed on the new requirements. Speakers at the Atlanta meeting included Presiding Justice Leah Ward Sears,

Technology Liaison on the Supreme Court; Ms. Sherie Welch, Clerk of the Supreme Court; Mr. Todd Vincent, author of the Transcript Filename Convention; and Mr. John Ruggeri, appellate court information technology department.
A video of the program was made and will be available to District Court Administrators and Superior Court Administrators for distribution to official reporters who missed the program. For technical assistance, contact Mr. Ruggeri at efile@gaappeals.us

DISTRICT ATTORNEY Bell-Forsyth Circuit Add: Penny A. Penn 100 W. Courthouse Square Suite 200 Cumming, GA 30040 770-781-2125/F 781-2236
Delete: Philip C. Smith
SOLICITORS-GENERAL Muscogee County Add: Benjamin S. Richardson
Delete: Roxann Gray Daniel
Turner County Steve Ivie PO Box 825 Ashburn, GA 31714

Court Reporters Fee Schedule Increase
Effective April 1, 2003, the per diem and page rates in the official reporters' fee schedule will increase by 2.25% as approved by the Judicial Council of Georgia.
Per Diem . . . . . . . . . . .$172.39 to 8 hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$193.05 to 9 hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$206.87 maximum
Page Rates . . . . . . . . . .$3.43 per page for Orig. + 2 Expedited . . . . . . . . . . .$5.16 per page for Orig. Daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$6.87 per page for Orig. Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1.37 per page Civil Takedown . . . . . . .$39.28 per hour
Mark Your Calendar...

SUPERIOR COURT CLERKS Houston County Carolyn V. Sullivan 201 Perry Parkway Perry, GA 31069 478-218-4720/F 218-4745

The next meeting of the Judicial Council of Georgia will take place June 11, 2003, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah.

Indigent Defense Commission Report

The Chief Justice's Commission on Indigent Defense presented its report to the Supreme Court of Georgia on December 12, 2002 in Atlanta. The report calls on the state to assume responsibility for

paying for indigent defense services and to establish and enforce basic stan-

dards for indigent defense programs.

"The concepts of fairness and

equal justice are basic to our

American system of government and

to our identity as Americans," said

Mr. Charles R. Morgan, chairman of

the commission. "This report is in

essence about ensuring fairness for

all citizens." The Georgia General Assembly
is now considering recommendations

Members of the Chief Justice's Commission on Indigent Defense listen as the report is presented to the Supreme Court.

from the Commission on Indigent Defense. Senate Bill 102 and House Bill

770 both call for creation of a Georgia Indigent Defense Board. The Board

will have the responsibility of assuring adequate and effective legal repre-

sentation to indigents throughout the state.

Copies of the commission report are available from Mr. Jay B. Martin,

Deputy Director of the AOC, 404-656-5171.

Findings:
The state is failing to meet its constitutional duty to protect the rights of indigents and to fund indigent defense;
There is no effective state-wide structure in place to enforce compliance with guidelines on indigent defense;
Recommendations:
The state should assume responsibility for paying for constitutionally adequate indigent defense;
Establish a public defender system based on the 49 judicial circuits, rather than 159 counties;
Oversight of the system would be handled by the Georgia Indigent Defense Board, made up of representatives of all regions of the state.

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

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NORMAN S. FLETCHER Chief Justice
DAVID L. RATLEY Director
COURTS JOURNAL STAFF Billie Bolton Ashley G. Stollar Philippa Maister