Georgia courts journal, July 2003

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Journal
Journal

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Journal

July 2003

Journal

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

Legislative Success Story: Indigent Defense Reform

Ameasure creating a new indigent defense system for Georgia provides for public defender offices in each of the 49 judicial circuits. The Public Defenders Standards Council is the centerpiece of HB 770 sponsored by House Speaker Terry Coleman.
The new system for indigent defense in Georgia officially begins on January 1, 2005. Governor Sonny Perdue signed HB 770 into law on May 22, 2003 with Chief Justice Norman Fletcher and other members of the judiciary looking on. (See photo.)

Superior Court Judgeships

were recommitted to the House

Last year the Judicial Council rec-

Judiciary committee on the final day

ommended creation of new superior of the legislative session. SB 234

court judgeships in the Cherokee

and SB 235, slightly different ver-

and Gwinnett

sions, creating a judgeship

Judicial

for the Gwinnett Circuit

Circuits, how-

were favorably reported by

ever, the ses-

Senate Judiciary. These

sion ended

measures will be up for

without cre-

consideration next January.

ation of these

Local bills creating

positions. HB

state court judgeships will

269 and HB

add three new positions,

282, concerning Gov. Sonny Perdue addresses the one each to Fulton,

the Cherokee

crowd before signing HB 770.

Chatham and Hall County

and Gwinnett circuits respectively,

continued on pg 3

In Memoriam: Chief Justice Thomas O. Marshall

Thomas O. Marshall, Jr., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1986

1990, died

June 12 in

Americus, the

town where he

was raised, at

the age of 82.

In a tribute

to his legacy,

Gov. Sonny

Justice Marshall

Perdue ordered the flags on all state

buildings to be lowered to half-staff

on June 13.

During his tenure as Chief Justice, Justice Marshall launched several initiatives to improve the administration of justice in the state. His efforts led to creation of the Georgia Courts Automation Commission, the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism, and the Chief Justice's Commission on Gender Bias in the Judicial System. He also advocated for fulltime juvenile court judges and creation of the Georgia Appellate Practice and Educational Resource Center, which assists with appeals

of indigent prisoners on death row. Justice Marshall attended
Emory University, the U.S. Naval

continued on pg 2

INSIDE 2003 LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Drug Czar Praises Georgia's Drug Courts pg 2

New Automated Case System in Bibb County pg 3

People, Places & Events pg 4

Legislative Report

pg 5

Self-help for Pro Se

pg 8

2 Georgia Courts Journal July 2003

Drug Czar Praises Georgia's Drug Courts

Georgia's drug courts and the judges who preside over them earned praise from

two recovering drug addicts who described their experiences with the program.

the Director of the White House

Those attending included Judge

Office on National Drug Control

Doris Downs, Presiding Judge,

Policy, John P.

Fulton County

Walters, when he

Drug Court

visited Atlanta in

Program; Judge

May.

Robert Castellani,

"Georgians

DeKalb County

should be proud

Adult Drug Court;

of their drug

Judge N. Kent

courts and their

Lawrence,

success in getting people with substance abuse problems the help

Judge Amanda Williams (far right), Brunswick Judicial Circuit, presides over a drug court graduation in October 2002.

Presiding Judge, Athens Clarke County DUI Drug Court; Judge

they need to become healthy, pro-

Thomas Matthews,

ductive members of society," Mr.

Presiding Judge, Bibb County

Walters said.

Juvenile Drug Court; Cynthia

After a private meeting with

Clanton, General Counsel, AOC;

Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher,

J. Tom Morgan, District Attorney,

Mr. Walters participated in a round- Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit;

table discussion with drug court

and John Zoller, Director, Fulton

judges and other officials, as well as County Drug Court Program.

In Memoriam continued

Academy, and the University of Georgia Law School. He began his law practice in Americus in 1948. In 1960, he was elected a Superior Court judge for the Southwestern Judicial Circuit. In 1974, he was appointed to the Court of Appeals, and in 1977 to the Supreme Court. From 1990 to 1997, he was counsel with the firm of Peterson Dillard Young Asselin & Powell in Atlanta.
At the time of his death, Justice Marshall was Senior Counsel with Holland & Knight in Atlanta, acting as a mediator and arbitrator.

During World War II, Justice Marshall served in the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic and Pacific. According to an article by Rachel Ramos in Daily Report (June 17, 2003), he earned the nickname "A-Plane-AMinute Marshall" for shooting down nine Japanese airplanes in nine minutes during his service in the Pacific.
"This was one of the most wholesome, kind individuals I've ever known. He was a rare Southern gentleman, really," Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher told the Daily Report.

Press Conference A press conference hosted by
the Chief Justice and Mr. Walters with Ms. Leslie Baker, a recovering drug addict, attracted substantial media coverage on the value of drug courts. Ms. Baker, drug-free for four years, described her long unsuccessful struggle with her drug addiction. She said nothing worked until she joined the drug court program.
Mr. Walters emphasized the need to collect more and better data to demonstrate the effectiveness of drug courts. Chief Justice Fletcher has also called for consideration of a statewide drug court strategy with a strong evaluation component.
Georgia's Drug Courts Georgia's first drug court was
established in 1994 in Bibb County, with the encouragement of then Chief Justice Robert Benham, who championed the cause of drug courts in Georgia. There are now 24 drug courts throughout the state. Georgia's newest drug court opened July 1 in Bulloch County, Ogeechee Circuit, with Judge F. Gates Peed presiding.
The AOC provides technical assistance to courts in planning and implementing new programs, operating existing programs, monitoring compliance with state certification standards, and implementing management information systems for evaluating programs.
For more information, contact Mr. James Banks, AOC Drug Court Coordinator, at (404) 653-4155 or visit www.georgiacourts.org/ aoc/drugcourt/index.html

July 2003 Georgia Courts Journal 3

Bibb County Clerk's Office: Case Management System

The office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of Bibb County already recognized

agency under the umbrella of the Administrative Office of the Courts.

system also allows the clerk's office to tally the annual case count electronically.

as one of the most efficient in the

Efficiency & Security

Court officials and citizens will

state has recently adopted standard

The new information system

be able to search cases online by the

technology to streamline the process offers both enhanced efficiency and

names of the parties, the case num-

of filing and managing court docu-

security. Now, when a case or docu- ber, or type of case. Varying security

ments. The

ment is filed in the levels are in place to ensure that

new system

clerk's office, it is

only authorized persons have access

makes it easier

scanned by the

to documents that are not part of the

for lawyers and

imaging equip-

public record.

the general pub-

ment, which auto-

The system already starts with a

lic to keep track

matically generates substantial database. "We imported

of their cases

and distributes two 10 years of data and over two mil-

and documents

copies. One is sent lion records into the new system. It

as they move

to the STI case

took about 80 hours of continuous

through the court process according to Superior Court Clerk, Dianne

Mr. George Nolan (left), AOC; Ms. Dianne Brannen (second from left), Bibb County Superior Court Clerk; and Mr. David Ratley (third from right) are shown with AOC staff at a meeting in Macon.

management software system. The other goes to a microfilm writer to be preserved in

processing to get the data converted," said Mr. George Nolan of the AOC.
Ms. Brannen notes that judges in other courts have shown interest

Brannen.

microfiche as part of the permanent

in the system. She hopes the District

The new system consists of a

record, as Georgia law requires.

Attorney's office, Magistrate Court,

sophisticated document imaging

The imaging function allows the State Court Clerk, the County

scanner and STI case management

file to remain in the

Solicitor and even

software, the state standard. The

clerk's office.

the Sheriff's

$16,000 scanner was provided to

Copies are transmit-

office, will eventu-

Bibb County by the Georgia

ted electronically to

ally connect.

Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative

judges, reducing the

"If you can

Authority. The software was provid- risk of documents

integrate every

ed, installed and will be maintained

being lost or mis-

area of the court it

by the Georgia Courts Automation

placed. Access to

would facilitate

Commission (GCAC), a state

the files is password-protected, and judges can make

Clerk's office staffer scans documents into the new case management system.

digital data entry. It would open the door to give Bibb

Legislative Success: Indigent Defense

annotations for their own use.
Once a case is entered into the

County a fully integrated justice system," Ms. Brannen said. "This puts our court

continued
state courts. For complete information on successful court-related

system, court staff can use the data to set up calendars for judges and attorneys, Ms. Brannen said. The

in the forefront. There is nothing in Georgia more advanced than what we have here."

measures tracked in the

Click onto what's happening ...

Judicial/Legislative Log, please see page 5.

www.georgiacourts.org

4 Georgia Courts Journal July 2003
People, Places and Events ...

Retirements
Chief Judge F. Marion Cummings was honored at a reception in December in recognition of his 14 years of service as a judge of the Tallapoosa Circuit. A portrait of Judge Cummings was presented and will be displayed in the Polk County Courthouse. Judge Cummings was appointed to the bench by Governor Joe Frank Harris, prior to that time he served four years as solicitor of the State Court of Polk County. Judge Cummings has assumed senior status.
Chief Judge E. Byron Smith, Towaliga Judicial Circuit, was appointed a senior judge of the Superior Courts by Governor Sonny Perdue on June 12, 2003. Judge Smith had served on the bench of the Flint Circuit since 1989. The Towaliga Circuit was created out of the Flint Circuit in 1999.
Judge Robert L. Allgood, Augusta Judicial Circuit, retired from the bench on July 1, 2003 to return to private practice. Judge Allgood was appointed by Governor Zell Miller in September, 1995.
Chief Judge Robert G. Walther, Rome Judicial Circuit, will retire November 1, 2003. Judge Walther was appointed in 1980 by Governor George Busbee. He will assume senior status upon his retirement.

Clayton County Probate Court Judge Eugene E. Lawson retired on June 31, 2003, after serving 20 years. Judge Lawson was honored with a reception on June 20 to recognize his years of service to Clayton County. A special election will be held in September to fill Judge Lawson's unexpired term. Until the election, Superior Court Judge Stephen E. Boswell will preside as acting probate court judge.
Appointments
Judge Patricia Stone was appointed to the Juvenile Court of the Eastern Judicial Circuit in March, 2003. Judge Stone previously served as a prosecutor in the Chatham County juvenile court.
Judge N. Jackson Harris, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, was appointed to the Child Placement Project Implementation Committee on April 10, 2003.
Judge Bonnie Chesser Oliver, Northeastern Judicial Circuit, has been appointed to a term on the Judicial Qualifications Commission by the Supreme Court of Georgia. The appointment was made on May 13, 2003.
Judge Timothy A. Pape, Juvenile Court of Floyd County, has been appointed to serve as Interim Chair of the Georgia Courts Automation Commission. Judge Pape's appointment was made by the Chief Justice on June 19, 2003.

Administrative Judge
Judge Linda Warren Hunter, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, was recently elected to be the Administrative Judge for the Fourth Judicial Administrative District. She will serve on the Judicial Council and on the Executive Committee of the Council of Superior Court Judges.

Honors
Muscogee County Juvenile Court Judge Aaron Cohn has been honored by the Chattahoochee Valley Fort Benning Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). He received the Cliff Livingston Citizen/Soldier of the Year Award at a ceremony held on May 27 in Columbus. The award honors a former member of the U.S. military who has achieved significant success in service to the community and continued support of soldiers.
Judge Cohn is a past president of the Georgia Council of Juvenile Court Judges and of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He has served as juvenile court judge since 1965.

The State

Bar of Georgia

honored

Chatham

County State

Court Judge

Ronald

Ginsberg with

the Bench & Bar Professionalism Award at its

Judge Ronald Ginsberg

Annual Meeting on June 13.

July 2003 Georgia Courts Journal 5
2003 Session Final*
Legislative Report

General Bills Criminal Law and Procedure Traffic Law Superior Courts Superior Court Clerks State Courts Juvenile Courts Probate Courts Magistrate Courts

General Bills
HB 90 Bar Applicants: Fingerprint Check OCGA 15-2-8 Authorizes the Georgia Crime Information Center to receive and process fingerprints submitted by the Supreme Court of Georgia Office of Bar Admissions to determine if a candidate for admission to the State Bar has a criminal record. Signed by Governor 5/29/03, Act 72, Effective 5/29/03.
HB 121 FY 03 Supplemental Appropriations Provides appropriations to judicial branch agencies in the following amounts: Supreme Court, $7,207,324; Court of Appeals, $11,271,428; Superior Courts $92,143,547; Juvenile Courts, $1,424,336; Institute of Continuing Judicial Education, $1,234,973; Judicial Council, $13,652,702; Judicial Qualifications Commission, $238,279; Indigent Defense Council, $7,682,177; Courts Automation Commission, $1,700,368; Office of Dispute Resolution, $350,557. Signed by Governor 5/13/03, Act 5.
HB 122 FY 04 General Appropriations Provides funds to judicial branch agencies in the following amounts: Supreme Court, $7,521,463; Court of Appeals, $11,685,833; Superior Courts, $92,091,264; Council of Juvenile Court Judges, $1,382,402; Institute of Continuing Judicial Education, $1,048,305; Judicial Council, $16,248,727; Judicial Qualifications Commission, $250,642; Indigent Defense Council, $9,539,145; Courts Automation Commission, $0; Office of

Dispute Resolution, $348,186. Signed by Governor 6/4/03, Act 345.
HB 255 Protective Orders: Interpreters OCGA 15-6-77 Provides that a petitioner seeking a temporary protective order shall be provided with a foreign language or sign language interpreter when necessary for the hearing on the petition; costs to be paid out of local victim assistance funds. Signed by Governor 5/27/03, Act 41.
HB 385 Debt Adjustment Services OCGA 18-5-1 to 18-5-4 Prohibits acceptance of any fee or contribution from a debtor in excess of 7.5% of the monthly payment made to the debt adjustment service; provides exemptions; specifies civil fines for violations; effective date of 7/1/03. Signed by Governor 5/30/03, Act 103.
HB 479 Child Fatality Review Committee OCGA 19-15-2; 19-15-3; 19-15-4 Specifies that the District Attorney or his or her designee will serve as chairperson of the local child fatality review committee and preside at all meetings; provides that the Georgia Child Fatality Review Panel shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and compel production of documents as authorized by a superior court judge; stipulates that the county must adopt a child abuse protocol that is not inconsistent with the policies and procedures of the Division of Family and Children Services. Signed by Governor 5/30/03, Act 105.

HB 722 Temporary Protective Orders: Duration OCGA 19-13-4; 16-5-95 Specifies that a temporary protective order remains in effect for up to one year and may be converted to an order to be effective for not more than three years; creates a new offense relative to violating family violence orders when a person knowingly and in a nonviolent manner violates the terms of a family violence temporary restraining order, protective order, etc. Signed by Governor 6/3/03, Act 298.
HB 770 Georgia Indigent Defense Act OCGA 17-12-1 to -45; 17-12-80 to 88; 17-12-100 -108 & others Provides for a circuit public defender in each of the 49 judicial circuits; sets forth duties and compensation; provides for appointment of assistant public defenders and investigators; creates the Georgia Public Defenders Standards Council; provides that appointments to the 11-member council will be made by the Governor, Lt. Governor, House Speaker, Chief Justice, and Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Signed by Governor 5/22/03, Act 32, Sections 1-8 Effective 12/31/03.
HB 792 Class Actions: Procedures OCGA 7-4-12; 9-9-13; 9-11-23;
9-11-41 Establishes certain procedures, conditions and limitations regarding class action law suits effective September 1, 2003; sets forth certain procedures including holding a conference among the named parties, establishing a schedule, etc; revises provisions regarding civil procedures, settlements, and dispute resolution; changes certain provi-
continued on pg 6

*(All bills are effective 7/1/03 unless otherwise noted.)

6 Georgia Courts Journal July 2003

General Bills cont.
sions regarding interest on judgments, vacation of an arbitration award, and prerequisites for transfer of structured settlement payment rights; makes other provisions. Signed by Governor 6/4/03, Act 363.
SB 123 Protective Order Registry OCGA 19-13-52; 19-13-53 Specifies that protective order forms used by the courts must provide, at a minimum, all information necessary for entry of protective orders into the registry and the National Crime Information Center Protection Order file; sets forth certain duties of the local sheriff's department as to validation of information. Signed by Governor 5/29/03, Act 63, Effective 5/29/03.
Criminal
HB 173 Bulletproof Vests OCGA 16-11-160 Provides that it is unlawful for any person to wear a bulletproof vest during the commission of certain specified offenses. Signed by Governor 5/27/03, Act 39.
HB 196 Marijuana: Trafficking OCGA 16-13-31 Reduces the quantity of marijuana possession necessary for a trafficking prosecution from 50 pounds to 10 pounds. Signed by Governor 5/27/03, Act 23.
HB 397 Unauthorized Possession of Firearms OCGA 16-11-127; 16-12-125;
16-12-126; 16-12-127 Provides an affirmative defense for the unauthorized possession of firearms or other deadly weapons at public gatherings if the person informs a law enforcement officer or other person employed to provide security for the public gathering of the presence of such items; provides a similar affirmative defense for persons who enter terminals with any explosive or destructive device. Signed by Governor 5/31/03, Act 179, Effective 6/1/03.

HB 462 Sexual Exploitation of Children OCGA 16-6-11; 16-6-22.1;
16-12-100; 16-12-100.2 Provides that a person convicted of sexual battery against a child under 16 shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than one and not more than five years; prohibits compiling or transmitting certain computer images providing visual depiction of a child in sexual situations; provides for punishment as a felony upon conviction; adds to the definition of the offense of pimping, the act of transporting another person for the purpose of prostitution. Signed by Governor 6/02/03, Act 216, Effective 6/02/03.
SB 20 Reckless Conduct OCGA 16-5-60 Expressly prohibits assault with bodily fluids, saliva, etc. of a person infected with HIV or hepatitis against a peace officer or correctional officer; specifies that such assaults are categorized as a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than five, nor more than 20 years. Signed by Governor 5/29/03, Act 54.
SB 119 Post-conviction DNA Testing OCGA ; 5-5-41; 5-7-1; 17-5-55 Provides that a request for post-conviction DNA testing is made through an extraordinary motion for new trial; sets forth procedures, limitations, conditions, and standards for the conduct of postconviction DNA testing of evidence. Signed by Governor 5/27/03, Act 37.
Traffic
SB 229 Report of Traffic Convictions OCGA 40-5-53 Provides that in each county, regardless of population, every court having jurisdiction over traffic offenses must forward certain conviction reports to the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety within 10 days after the conviction of any person; specifies that the Dept. will pay the county $.40 for each report transmitted electronically. Signed by Governor 6/3/03, Act 238.

Appellate Courts
HB 164 Supreme Court: Certified Questions OCGA 15-2-9 Specifies that the Supreme Court of Georgia may answer any question of law certified to it from any federal appellate or district court conditioned upon approval of a Constitutional Amendment to this effect. Signed by Governor 5/29/03, Act 76.
HR 68 Supreme Court: Jurisdiction Constitutional Amendment Proposes an amendment to the constitution to provide that the Supreme Court of Georgia shall have jurisdiction and authority to answer any question of law from any state appellate or federal district or appellate court. Signed by Governor 5/31/03, Act 11.
Superior Courts
HB 414 Pretrial Motions: Filing Time Limit OCGA 17-7-55; 17-7-110; 17-7-170; 17-8-31 Specifies that all pretrial motions including demurrers and special pleas must be filed within ten days of the date of arraignment unless the time for filing is extended by the court; requires that a demand for trial be filed with the clerk of court and served upon the judge assigned to hear the case; provides for certain continuances. Signed by Governor 5/14/03, Act 40, Effective 5/14/03.
State Courts
HB 446 State Court of Fulton County: Add Judge Provides for an additional judge of the State Court of Fulton County to be appointed by the governor as soon as possible for a term expiring December 31, 2004. Signed by Governor 5/14/03, Act 7.
continued on pg 7

*(All bills are effective 7/1/03 unless otherwise noted.)

July 2003 Georgia Courts Journal 7

State Courts cont.
HB 836 State Court of Hall County: Additional Judge Provides for an additional judge of the State Court of Hall County to be appointed by the governor for a term beginning July 1, 2003, and ending December 31, 2004; abolishes the position of associate judge. Signed by Governor 6/3/03, Act 312.
SB 9 State Court of Chatham County: Add Judge Provides for an additional judge of the State Court of Chatham County to be elected at the general election in November 2004 for a term of four years; effective 1/1/04. Signed by Governor 5/30/03, Act 53.
Juvenile Courts
HB 470 Juvenile Courts: Jurisdiction OCGA 15-11-2 Brings status offenders under eighteen years of age into the jurisdiction of the juvenile courts. Signed by Governor 6/3/03, Act 268.
SB 80 Deprived Child: Temporary Support OCGA 15-11-28; 15-11-30.1,
15-11-58.1 Specifies that, upon a finding of child deprivation, the juvenile court will have jurisdiction to order temporary child support or modify existing support orders which shall be paid by the person or persons determined to be legally obligated to support the child; provides that an order of disposition in a deprivation proceeding continues in force for not more than two years. Signed by Governor 6/04/03, Act 377.
SB 116 Juvenile Proceedings: Regulation of Discovery OCGA 15-11-75 Provides that in all cases in which a child is charged with having committed a delinquent act, the child shall, upon written request to the prosecutor, have full access to certain documents for inspection, copying, or photographing;

provides for reciprocal discovery. Signed by Governor 5/29/03, Act 62.
SB 236 Child Placement OCGA 15-11-2; 15-11-55; 15-11-58;
15-11-103 Specifies that DFCS must provide copies of certain child placement case plans and give written notice of a review or hearing to the custodian, or to the foster parents, or both, of the child; specifies that before transferring temporary legal custody in an order of disposition, a reasonably diligent search for a parent or a relative of the child must be conducted by the court and DHR. Signed by Governor 5/7/03, Act 3.
Probate Courts
HB 32 Estates: Presumption of Death OCGA 53-9-1 Provides that when any domiciliary of the state has been exposed to a specific peril or tragedy resulting in probable death, the death of an individual may be proved by clear and convincing evidence at any time after such exposure. Signed by Governor 5/29/03, Act 71.
HB 367 Express Trusts OCGA 53-12-22.1 Provides that an express trust concerning a life insurance policy may be created by oral agreement if certain documents are executed at the time; any trust so created shall terminate six months following creation. Signed by Governor 6/4/03, Act 351.
SB 97 Intangible Taxes OCGA 48-6-2; 48-6-4; 48-6-5; 48-6-8 Provides tax exemptions for certain instruments, deeds, or writings relating to transfer of real property; sets forth related duties of the clerk of superior court. Signed by Governor 6/4/03, Act 381.
SB 190 Marriage License: Blood Test OCGA 19-3-40 Repeals the blood test requirement for marriage licenses. Effective 7/1/03.

SB 213 Pyrotechnic Display: Permit OCGA 25-10-1; 25-10-3.2; 25-10-4 Requires a permit from the probate judge of the county be obtained before any public exhibition or display of fireworks can be held. Effective 7/1/03.
Magistrate Courts
HB 226 Ordinance Violations: Sentencing OCGA 15-10-60 Increases the period of imprisonment that may be imposed for any ordinance violation from 60 days to 6 months. Signed by Governor 5/31/03, Act 168.
SB 104 Deposit Account Fraud OCGA 16-9-20 Increases from $25 to $30 the maximum amount of a service charge for a bad instrument. Signed by Governor 5/31/03, Act 196.
SB 105 Bad Checks: Damages OCGA 13-6-15 Increases the authorized service charge for a bad check from $25 to $30; allows written demand notification by first class mail. Signed by Governor 5/31/03, Act 197.
People, Places cont.
Tom C. Ulbricht, deputy court administrator of the Fulton County Superior Court, recently became a fellow of the Institute of Court Management. Mr. Ulbricht graduated from the Court Executive Development Program at a ceremony held at the United States Supreme Court on May 9, 2003.
Edward E. Tucker, Clerk of the Superior Court of Lumpkin County, was named 2002 Clerk of the Year by the Superior Court Clerks' Association of Georgia on April 25, 2003, in a ceremony held on Saint Simons Island.

*(All bills are effective 7/1/03 unless otherwise noted.)

Self-Help Feature for Pro Se Litigants
Debuts on www.georgiacourts.org
The Administrative Office of the Courts has launched a new feature on its website that is geared toward litigants who wish to proceed in court without legal representation.

Pro Se Litigants Finding information on proceed-
ing pro se has been a daunting task in the past. Now this information can be found on the AOC's website.
The information is written for use by the general public. Some legal terms are defined and the state court system is briefly explained. Links to court forms, rules of court, ways to find legal help, etc., are also available on the site.

www.georgiacourts.org/aoc/selfhelp
The website is a joint effort among the AOC, Atlanta Legal Aid Society, the Georgia Legal Services Program, and the Pro Bono Project of the State Bar of Georgia.

The Judicial Council of Georgia will meet on August 28, 2003 in Atlanta at the Emory Conference Center. For more information, contact Ms. Terry Cobb
at 404-656-6693.

Georgia Courts Journal
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