G G G Journal Journal G 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 PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT #1880 NORMAN S. FLETCHER Chief Justice DAVID L. RATLEY Director COURTS JOURNAL STAFF Billie Bolton Ashley G. Stollar Philippa Maister