Georgia courts journal, Mar. 2005

G G

G
Journal
Journal

G
Journal

March 2005

Journal

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

New Year Marked by Transitions --
New Chief Judge for Court of Appeals Takes Office

The Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr., took the oath of office to become Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia on January 5, 2005.
Chief Judge Ruffin was introduced and sworn-in by US District Court Judge Anthony A. Alaimo. Speakers at the event included Judge J.D. Smith of the Court of Appeals and Justice Robert Benham of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals were present, along with many judges

from the Augusta area and Judge Ruffin's family and friends. Chief Judge Ruffin is the first AfricanAmerican to serve as chief judge. He was appointed to the Court of
US District Court Judge Anthony A. Alaimo (left) gives the oath of office to Chief Judge Ruffin.

Fletcher Addresses the General Assembly
Of his impending retirement from the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Fletcher said, "I have been richly blessed with wonderful family and friends, strong faith, good health, and the great privilege of serving on your Supreme Court for 15 years. I deeply treasure the close friendships made with so many members of the General Assembly over these years."
For highlights of Chief Justice Fletcher's remarks, see page 3.

Appeals in 1994 by Governor Zell Miller after serving eight years on the superior court bench of the Augusta Judicial Circuit. Chief Judge Ruffin's legal career includes extensive civil rights litigation. A Burke County native, he attended Morehouse College and Howard University School of Law.

Bernes Begins First Term

on Court of Appeals

Judge Debra

Bernes, elected

as the seventieth

judge of the

Court of

Appeals, was

sworn-in at the

Capitol on December 27,

Judge Debra Bernes

2004.

INSIDE

People, Places & Events pg 2

Profile: Judge Del Buttrill pg 4

E-Filing with OXCI

pg 5

Juvenile Court Showcase

pg 6

Conasauga Drug Court

pg 9

Directory Corrections

pg 10

Electronic Traffic Citations pg 11

2 Georgia Courts Journal March 2005

People, Places and Events ...

In Memoriam
Senior Judge George Arthur Horkan, Jr. of Moultrie died February 2, 2005, at the age of 78. Judge Horkan served the Superior Courts of the Southern Judicial Circuit for more than 30 years, during most of that time as the Chief Judge. Judge Horkan took senior judge status in 1994, but continued to hear cases until recently. Prior to taking the bench, he served as District Attorney for the Southern Circuit.
Judge John V. Harper of Americus died December 19, 2004, following a sudden illness. He was 45 years of age. Judge Harper was elected to the bench of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit in 2000, his second term of office would have begun in 2005. He was a graduate of Georgia Southwestern College and the Walter F. George School of Law.
Retirement
Judge John Girardeau of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit has announced his retirement for March 31, 2005. Judge Girardeau has served on the superior court bench since 1987. He served as president of the Council of Superior Court Judges and has been active in the creation of drug courts in Georgia.
Ninth District Court Administrator George Collins retired on December 31, 2004 after serving 16 years. See page 3 for photo.

Appointments
At a swearing-in ceremony held January 24, 2005 in the Capitol Education Center in Atlanta, Governor Sonny Perdue administered the oath of office to Judge James R. Osborne, Paulding Judicial Circuit. Judge Osborne was appointed to fill the vacancy created by Judge W.A. Foster's retirement. Judge Osborne served as the District Attorney for the Paulding Circuit prior to his appointment.
Mr. F. Andrew "Drew" Lane was appointed to succeed Judge Osborne as District Attorney of the Paulding Circuit.
On December 22, 2004, Judge James R. Whitfield, was appointed to the Juvenile Court bench in the Cobb Judicial Circuit. Judge Whitfield fills the vacancy created by Judge Stephen Schuster's election as a superior court judge.
Judge Jim E. Wilbanks was appointed to the Juvenile Court bench of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit on December 30, 2004.
Mr. Claud L. "Tex" McIver, III of Atlanta was appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission on February 15, 2005.

Honors
Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher was awarded the Weltner Freedom of Information Award from the Georgia First Amendment Foundation in a ceremony in Atlanta on March 5, 2005. Chief Justice Fletcher was selected because his Supreme Court decisions and opinions have consistently supported the public's right to know.
On January 13, 2005 in Atlanta, Judge Adele Grubbs, Cobb Judicial Circuit, was awarded the State Bar of Georgia Justice Robert Benham Award.
Save the Date
The next meeting of the Judicial Council of Georgia will be Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront Hotel.
FY 03 Annual Report Available
The FY 03 Annual Report has recently been mailed. For additional copies, please contact the AOC at 404-656-5171.
The annual report includes court caseload information for Calendar Year 2002.

New Year Marked by Transitions

Justice Sears Begins Third Term

Following her successful reelection campaign Presiding Justice Leah Ward Sears took the oath of office on December 14, 2004 to begin her third term on the Supreme Court of Georgia.
The ceremony, held in the Supreme Court courtroom was attended by members of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Music was provided by the Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy choir, of which Justice Sears's daughter is a member. Friends, family members, and colleagues enjoyed a reception following the program.
On March 3, 2005, the justices of the Supreme Court elected Justice

Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher, left, administers the oath of office to Presiding Justice Leah Ward Sears.
Sears to become the court's next Chief Justice. Georgia's first female Chief Justice will assume the position on July 1, 2005. Justice Carol Hunstein was elected as the new Presiding Justice.

George Collins Retires

District Court Administrators gathered on December 10, 2004 to wish long-time Ninth District Court Administrator George Collins well on his retirement.
Front row (l-r): Mr. George Collins and Ms. Judith Cramer. Middle row: Ms. Cathy McCumber, Mr. John Cowart, Mr. Danny DeLoach, and Ms. Jody Overcash. Back row: Mr. Tom Gunnels, Mr. Fred Roney, Mr. Nolan Martin, and Mr. Greg Jones.

March 2005 Georgia Courts Journal 3
2005 State of Judiciary Address
Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher delivered the State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the General Assembly on Wednesday, February 9, 2005. Below are some of the highlights of his remarks.
New Public Defender System v Forty-two circuit public defender offices opened on January 1, 2005.
Georgia's new system is being recognized nationally for excellence.
Budget v "The judiciary is in the justice business, and justice is not, nor should it ever be, a matter of politics."
Nonpartisan Elections v Urged legislators to pass a measure so that probate and magistrate court judges are elected in nonpartisan races.
Judgeships v Requested creation of new superior court judgeships which the Judicial Council has already approved. The need for 10 new superior court judgeships has been determined through valid and established criteria based on growing court caseloads in these circuits.
Court of Appeals v Fund additional judgeships and office space for the Court of Appeals.
Administrative Office of the Courts v Continues their efforts to provide current and essential information technology to courts throughout the state.

Profile: Judge Del Buttrill

4 Georgia Courts Journal March 2005
Judge Del Buttrill, Probate Court of Henry County, was present in the House Chambers on January 27, 2005, for the reading of House Resolution 59, recognizing and commending his service to Henry County.
In part, the House Resolution reads, "By the example he has made of his life, Judge Del Buttrill makes this world a better place in which to live, and it is only fitting and proper that he be appropriately recognized as one of Georgia's most distinguished citizens and public servants."
On February 5, 2005, the Flint Judicial Circuit held a community appreciation service in honor of Judge Buttrill and his outstanding contributions to the county. The event, held at the Salem Judge Del Buttrill Baptist Church in McDonough, featured local speakers and musical performances by church choirs. Speakers included Judge Arch McGarity, Judge A.J. "Buddy" Welch, Judge Ben Studdard, and Judge James T. Chafin, Jr., all of the Henry County courts; Judge DeWitt Simonton, Spalding County Probate Court; Senior Probate Judge Eugene Lawson; Mr. Tommy K. Floyd, Flint Judicial Circuit District Attorney; and Ms. Marla Moore of the AOC. All expressed admiration for and good wishes to Judge Buttrill.
First elected as Henry County Probate Judge in 1982, Judge Buttrill has recently undergone treatment for lung cancer and faces a continuing battle with the disease.

Power, Justice & Prejudice

Georgia Commission Hosts Conference

The 17th Annual Meeting of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts will be held in Atlanta April 13-16,

2005. The theme of the conference is "Power, Justice

and Prejudice."

The Georgia Commission on Access and Fairness

in the Courts is hosting the meeting which will be

held at the Omni

Hotel, CNN

Center, Atlanta. Speakers will
address issues confronting the

ower stice

judiciary, prose-

cutors, public

defenders, etc., including deliv-

rejudice

ery of civil legal

services, prosecutorial discretion,

April 13-16, 2005

the impact of domestic violence on women of color,

minorities in the juvenile justice system, and remov-

ing language and access barriers in the courts.

Invited speakers include Justice Robert Benham,

Supreme Court of Georgia; former U.N. Ambassador

Andrew Young; Judge Barbara J. Mobley, State Court

of DeKalb County; Honorable Gwendolyn R. Keyes,

District Attorney of the Stone Mountain Judicial

Circuit; and Ms. Phyllis Holmen, Georgia Legal

Services.

For more information, contact Ms. Stephanie

Chambliss at chamblis@gaaoc.us or by phone:

404-463-3927.

Click onto what's happening ...
www.georgiacourts.org

March 2005 Georgia Courts Journal 5

E-filing with OXCI, Rules of Court

Ademonstration of emerging electronic filing (e-filing) technology was given by

Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) communications.
This demonstration confirmed

the AOC Technology Division on

the ability to transmit and receive

January 26, 2005 for members of

key data field items to and from a

the Supreme Court

distant location

Clerk's staff. A

using national

mock death penal-

standards. This is

ty appeal was suc-

an integral step

cessfully filed as

toward fulfilling

an example of the

the goal of inte-

pioneering data-

grated justice

exchange system.

through data shar-

The system,

ing. It enables

based on Open XML Court Interface (OXCI),

Ms. Sukhada Tapshalkar, Mr. Richard Baker, and Emerging Technology Group Manager Rex McElrath developed the OXCI project.

data and documents to be easily transmitted from

is part of a national effort to imple-

one database to another database for

ment electronic filing and data

case filings.

exchange in all levels of state

The technology can be adapted

courts.

to allow the exchange of other data

The OXCI success places

and transactions setting the stage

Georgia in the vanguard of e-filing

so that courts and other agencies

technology. The work will assist in

will soon be able to exchange infor-

implementation of standards-based

mation over the Internet. The

Supreme Court of Georgia and

AOC Brochure

Washington County Superior Court are pilot sites for the project.

Uniform Rules Web Page
The AOC has been working for several months with the Supreme Court Clerks' Office and the Office of the Reporter of Decisions to create and maintain a web page with an up-to-date, comprehensive set of the Uniform Rules of the Court. The Uniform Rules of the Superior Courts and the State Courts were recently added.
The page has links to the Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules, the State Bar of Georgia Handbook, Rules of the Office of Bar Admissions, Rules of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, Code of Judicial Conduct, Unified Appeal Procedure, Uniform Transfer Rules, Supreme Court Rule on Interpreters, as well as the Uniform Rules for all levels of court.
See http://www.georgiacourts.org/rules.html

Services provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts are outlined in a new edition of the AOC brochure. To request copies of the brochure call 404656-5171.

Court of Appeals Revises Rules

The Court of Appeals of Georgia by administrative order on December 6, 2004 has amended its rules effective January 6, 2005. Copies of the rules are posted at www.gaappeals.us and printed paper copies are available at the Office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, located in the State Judicial Building, Atlanta, Georgia.

The following rules have been revised in some manner: Rules 1-2, 4, 6, 9, 14, 17-19, 23-33, 37-38, 40-41.
For further information, contact Mr. William L. Martin, Clerk/Court Administrator at martinw@gaapeals.us or 404-657-8352.

6 Georgia Courts Journal March 2005
Juvenile Court Showcase

Douglas County Addresses Children's Mental Health Issues

Douglas County Juvenile Court has adopted a computerized mental health assessment to help judges and court staff obtain information on the mental health of the children they serve. The goal is early identification of mental health problems.
The court has assigned two intake workers to administer a mental health questionnaire to every child involved in delinquency proceedings.
Ms. Jenny McDade, Director, Juvenile Programs Administration, stated, "We use the process to detect mental health issues that may be affecting the child's behavior. The assessment does not provide a diagnosis, but it helps in making immediate referrals to licensed practitioners for further assessment and a diagnosis." In two recent cases, the assessment led to investigations of abuse in the home and the child's removal by the courts.
The Mauldin Pattern Assessment test that Douglas County uses was created by John Mauldin, Ph.D., founder of PsyPractice in LaGrange. It consists of a set of master questions that explore: the child's sense of emotional support, safety, rules, rule violation, and coping abilities. Based on the child's responses, another set of tests may be given to explore the responses more deeply. For example, a positive response to

the statement, "I don't feel that I

have anything to live for," would

trigger addi-

tional ques-

tions about

ideas of sui-

cide and deliv-

er a risk score

for suicide.

The subtests

Judge Peggy Walker

provide data on risk factors

including alcohol use, drug abuse,

suicide, homicide, psychosis, per-

sonality disorders such as an anger

or an eating disorder, violent behav-

iors and anxiety or depression.

Opening Avenues for Treatment
Children's responses open up avenues for treatment. A child who has experienced a death in the family can be referred for grief counseling, which could prevent more serious problems such as anxiety or depression from overwhelming the child.
"If we do a better job of connecting families with services at the point of entry we can do a better job of keeping them out of the court system," said Judge Peggy Walker. "They are resorting to the courts because they don't know how to connect to the services."
For further information, contact Jenny McDade at 770-920-7121.

Jackson County Courthouse

On November 11, 2004 an Open House was held at the new Jackson County Courthouse located in Jefferson. Judges and attorneys from around the Piedmont

Judicial Circuit and north Georgia

were invited to tour the new facility

after business hours. Chief Judge

Robert W. Adamson, Judge David

Motes and Judge Joseph Booth, all

of the superior courts of the

Piedmont Judicial Circuit, proudly

showed visitors the new jury

rooms, courtrooms, offices and

other features of the courthouse. Many other Jackson County officials attended the event sponsored by the Piedmont Bar Association.

From left: Mr. Wayne Wilbanks, Jackson County construction consultant; Chief Judge Robert W. Adamson, Piedmont Circuit; Judge Thomas Hodges, Northern Circuit; Judge Purnell Davis, Toombs Circuit; and Mr. Tom Gunnels, Tenth District DCA celebrate the opening of the Jackson County Courthouse.

March 2005 Georgia Courts Journal 7
Juvenile Court Showcase

Two Middle Georgia Circuits Work to Curb Truancy

Juvenile Court Judges Thomas C. Rawlings, Middle Circuit, and Philip Spivey, Ocmulgee Circuit, have adopted a problemsolving approach to children referred to court for frequent school absences. The first step for these judges is a solution tailored to the individual child.
In the Middle Circuit, schools refer a child to the juvenile court after at least five unexcused absences. Typically Judge Rawlings invites the child and family to appear informally before him to identify the causes underlying the absences and possible solutions.
In issuing the invitation, Judge Rawlings makes it clear that the meeting is voluntary, and there is no presumption of wrongdoing. The parties may bring their attorneys or choose a formal hearing instead.
If the parties fail to attend the initial meeting or the truancy continues, and is willful on the part of parents or child, a formal petition alleging truancy is filed by the District Attorney.
"We try to dispose of 80% of the cases informally," Judge Rawlings said. "Sometimes the truancy is because parents don't know that medical services can be accessed at the school, so they keep a child home for treatment. We serve as an information source for families and are able to divert many cases to social service."

He has found that children stay away from school because of bullying, difficulty learning, medical problems, and parental abuse.
"Statistics show that truancy is a leading indicator for child neglect, familial dysfunction and juvenile delinquency," Judge Rawlings said.
Judge Thomas C. Rawlings (left) and Judge Philip Spivey are working to curb truancy in their circuits.
Parenting Skills Class
The truancy program has led to the creation of a non-profit agency that provides parenting classes on topics such as getting children ready for school and helping them understand the need for education. The court also works with Latino support groups to explain to migrant workers that school attendance is compulsory.
Organizational Challenges in the Ocmulgee Circuit
Juvenile Court Judge Philip Spivey, Ocmulgee Circuit, faces similar truancy issues but has more complex organizational challenges.
For several years, Judge Spivey has used his own protocol for the handling of truancy cases. Now he

is working to establish a protocol that meets new legislative requirements. This means interacting with eight different school boards and multiple agencies.
"The protocol would cover what happens before a case comes to court and after a child is adjudicated unruly," Judge Spivey said.
He hopes the new protocol will increase the number of truancy cases that can be informally adjusted.
If the court determines that the parent is responsible for the child's absences, a Protective Order can be issued directing the parent to comply with a court plan. Other agencies can also be brought in to provide needed social services for the child.
Since, obtaining services in rural areas can be difficult. Both Judge Spivey and Judge Rawlings support legislation now under consideration by the General Assembly to allow juvenile court supervision fees to be used for truancy intervention services.
Note: Senate Bill 97, a measure that would authorize collection of supervision fees in juvenile courts in Georgia for the purpose of providing truancy intervention services is now moving through the General Assembly. The bill has passed the Senate and has been favorably reported by the House Judiciary Committee. Consult the AOC legislative website at www.ciclt.com/aoc/default.asp to follow this bill's progress.

8 Georgia Courts Journal March 2005
Juvenile Court Showcase

DeKalb's Juvenile Court Honored with Georgia Council of Court Administrators Program of the Year Award

The DeKalb County Juvenile Court is riding high. Its Youth Achievement Program has been honored as the Georgia Council of Court Administrators' (GCCA) Program of the Year, and its use of radio-frequency identification technology to track case files was recently featured in a national magazine.
Mr. Daniel DeLoach, First District Court Administrator, presented the GCCA award in a special ceremony at the Supreme Court of Georgia. The Youth Achievement Program (YAP) works to redirect DeKalb County's most at-risk youth toward achieving skills that will ultimately lead to a strong and responsible adulthood. YAP provides a comprehensive year-round employment preparation program that includes tutoring, employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational training, financial assistance, gang prevention, mentoring, and referrals to partner agencies.
Over 180 youth have been served since the program was founded in 2004, with 25% of those participating placed in jobs. YAP has a 20% diploma/GED attainment rate. In addition, two participants have entered college and two have joined the military.
The program has received strong support from former DeKalb

Chief Juvenile Court Judge Gregory A. Adams and current Chief Judge Robin S. Nash. Developed with
Mr. Danny DeLoach, far left, presents Chief Judge Robin Nash, DeKalb County Juvenile Court, and Mr. Brian Alleyne, Youth Achievement Program Acting Program Manager, with the GCCA Program of the Year award. Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher, right, assists in the presentation.
input from Juvenile Court Director of Court Services, Dale Phillips, the program is backed by a two-year, $600,000 Youth Offender Reentry grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Tracking Case Files
The juvenile court's use of radio-frequency identification technology (RFID) to keep track of juvenile case files was featured in the January 24 issue of the magazine, Information Week.
RFID is commonly used by retail stores to track supplies. It uses labels with passive semiconductors that transmit radio signals to labelreaders by means of handheld devices and specialized software. The information can be linked into the court's case management software. DeKalb court officials hope the technology will slash the more than 10 hours/week that court clerks currently spend trying to find paper files in the three-story courthouse.
For further information, contact Dale Phillips at 404-294-2777 or dpphilli@co.dekalb.ga.us

Judicial Circuit Map

CLAYTON Y

FANNIN as
9
T
DO

Coweta TROUP

MERIWETHER
6

HARRIS

TALBOT

Chattahoochee

MUSCOGEE

TOWNS

RABUN

HABERSTEPHENS FRANKLIN HART

Georgia Judicial Districts Circuit Boundary County Boundary

Pi
E estern

T WILKES
oombs
TALIAFERRO W
HANCOCK

BALDWIN

WASHINGT

WILKINSON

JOHNSON

TWIGGS Dublin
B

LAURENS
8

TREUTLEN

Ogeechee

Didn't get a map last time around? Copies are still available.
The Judicial Circuit map can be used as a quick reference for the state's circuits and is free of charge.
For more information on obtaining a map, contact Ashley Stollar at stollara@gaaoc.us or 404-656-6783.

March 2005 Georgia Courts Journal 9

Conasauga Circuit Drug Court Program

Can a drug court program induce meth users to quit the habit and get sober? In

The woman agrees to comply. Her sentence is five years in jail, probated on condition she com-

having birthdays instead of the alternative," Judge Partain said. Some backsliding is expected.

the Conasauga Circuit, where

plete the drug court program. After

Possible sanctions range from com-

methamphetamine is the drug of

handing down the sentence, Judge

munity service to incarceration.

choice, a dedicated judge, drug

Partain introduces the woman to her

Many participants in the

court staff and treat-

drug court

Conasauga Circuit Drug Court have

ment-providers are

"team:" the

been charged with possession of

doing their utmost to

judge, an

meth. Some also face charges of

prove it can.

Assistant District

theft, forgery, and dealing/manufac-

Attorney, a sher-

turing illegal drugs. Ages range

A Day in Court

iff's deputy or

from teenage to middle age. Most

On a recent day, a

police officer, a

work in Dalton's carpet mills.

woman appears

probation officer,

While some participants admit

before Superior

treatment

that they entered the program to

Court Judge Jack Partain charged with possession of

Mr. George Shirilla, Conasauga Circuit Drug Court Coordinator, (left) discusses an issue with Judge Jack Partain.

providers, a public defender, and Conasauga Circuit

avoid jail time, all agree that they have gained more than their liberty. "The biggest thing is the support

methamphetamine. She gives her

Drug Court Coordinator, George

group itself. When I mess up, it's

age as 39. The woman has previous

Shirilla. The team will monitor

harder to go in front of them than in

convictions for possession with

client progress and assist when

front of the judge," one said. Many

intent to distribute and for shoplift-

problems arise.

have lost their connection to their

ing. Her husband and teenage

Before each drug court session

families because of their habit, and

daughter have ordered her to leave

begins, the

the group creates a substi-

their home. She pleads with Judge Partain to allow her to enter the drug court program.

team meets to discuss participants'

"You don't realize it's affecting you

tute family whose members help each other out, another participant said.

The judge warns her that enter-

progress. It

until you have

ing the two-year program could be the hardest thing she has ever done; serving time in jail would be easier.

is a timeconsuming process that

lost everything."
-- Program Participant --

Group Support
Several participants said the program has made

She must commit to giving up her

occurs each

them more responsible.

drug habit, avoid unlawful persons

week. Prior to court, participants

"I wouldn't have done anything for

and places, and submit to regular

meet separately as a group with a

anyone, but now I will try and

drug testing. The drug court proto-

treatment provider, and offer each

help," said one participant. Another

col also includes unscheduled visits

other support.

took his son to the doctor on his

by probation and police officers,

own initiative. Another got custody

attendance at a 12-step program, as

Individual Review

of his child with the help of Mr.

well as drug court sessions. The

Once the drug court session

Shirilla. One woman said she had

defendant must hold down a full-

starts, Judge Partain calls each par-

contacted the local Department of

time job, pay treatment fees, obtain

ticipant individually, reviews their

Family and Children's Services to

court permission before changing

progress, and encourages them to

gain custody of her grandchild after

her residence, and comply with

keep going. Milestones are celebrat- realizing that her son and daughter-

other conditions.

ed. "It is significant that they are

continued on pg 11

10 Georgia Courts Journal March 2005

2004-2005 Georgia Courts Directory Corrections

Please note these corrections and additions.

SUPERIOR COURT Alcovy Circuit Chief Judge John M. Ott 303 S. Hammond Drive, Suite 221 Monroe, GA 30655 770-267-1339/F 266-1630

JUVENILE COURT Cobb Circuit Add: Judge James R. Whitfield 1738 County Services Parkway, SW Marietta, GA 30008-4028 770-528-2428/F 528-2561

MAGISTRATE COURT Crawford County Add: Judge Leslie Zoltowski PO Box 568 Roberta, GA 31708 478-836-5804/F 836-4340

Paulding Circuit Add: Judge James R. Osborne 201 Paulding County Courthouse 11 Courthouse Square Dallas, GA 30132 770-443-7551/F 443-7554
SENIOR JUDGES Superior Court Judge Frank S. Cheatham, Jr. Two Sandy Point Road Savannah, GA 31404-3230
STATE COURT Coweta County Add: Judge Seay V. Poulakos 12 E. Broad Street Newnan, GA 30263 770-252-5428/F 252-4130
For a comprehensive update of
newly-elected superior, state, probate, and magistrate court judges go to
www.georgiacourts.org/ aoc/directory

Conasauga Circuit Add: Judge Jim E. Wilbanks 301 W. Crawford Street Dalton, GA 30720 706-275-8838/F 275-8837
PROBATE COURT Walton County Judge H. Greg Adams 303 S. Hammond Drive, Suite 113 Monroe, GA 30655

MUNICIPAL COURT Newington Delete: Judge Martha Kirkland
Add: Judge Grady Reddick PO Box 1923 Sylvania, GA 30467 912-564-7821/F 564-7844

Senior Judges Appointed

On January 4, 2005, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed the following senior judges:

APPELLATE Judge Frank M. Eldridge
SUPERIOR COURT Judge Fred A. Bishop Judge Clarence D. Blount Judge Alice D. Bonner Judge E. Purnell Davis Judge Aubrey Duffey Judge Philip F. Etheridge Judge W.A. Foster Judge Hilton Fuller Judge Whitfield R. Forrester Judge Robert P. Mallis Judge Albert M. Pickett Judge Marvin W. Sorrells Judge Michael Stoddard

STATE COURT Judge Howard E. Cook Judge Michael A. Fennessy Judge Mathew Robins
JUVENILE COURT Judge George J. Hearn, III
PROBATE COURT Judge Aileen H. Gay Judge Joyce J. Hawkins
MAGISTRATE COURT Judge Charles G. Brewer

March 2005 Georgia Courts Journal 11
AOC Technology Staff Looks Ahead

Mr. Jorge Basto has joined the staff of the AOC Information Technology

to provide more streamlined delivery of services to clients.
Under the new guide-

staff. A new online service request form, HEAT (Helpdesk Expert
Automation Tool) has been

Division. Mr. Basto has been

lines, a call for technical

designed to speed up the

named Senior Manager, Application assistance coming in from

processing of these requests.

Development and Support. He and

a judge or court staff will

LANDesk, another new

Mr. Byron Branch, recently named

be fielded by the local

feature, allows AOC tech

Senior Manager, Support Services,

District Court

staff to respond to local

will direct the project and staff of

Administrator. The DCA

problems from the central

the IT Division. Mr. Basto and Mr. Branch will

will assign the call a priority depending on how

Mr. Jorge Basto

office. Upgrades to SUSTAIN and Georgia Jury are

also oversee changes to the Help

urgent the need is. Calls

now being made remotely,

Desk procedures that are designed

will also be monitored by AOC

saving many hours of travel time

and money. When necessary, how-

Electronic Traffic Citations -- Try "TIPS"

ever, technical field support staff will continue to make site visits to

AOC information technology staff has developed a webbased program that will allow Georgia courts to file traffic

Development of TIPS was funded by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and was completed in collaboration with DMVS.

courts. For more information, contact
Jorge Basto at 404-657-9673 or bastoj@gaaoc.us

citations in the new electronic format required by the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (DMVS).

July Deadline
In a recent letter to clerks of court, DMVS Commissioner James R. Davis emphasized the July dead-

Conasauga Circuit Drug Court Program cont.

TIPS

line for filing convictions electroni-

TIPS (Traffic Information

cally using the prescribed Georgia

Processing System) cor-

Electronic Citation

rectly processes the citation and calculates the fees that must be paid to

DMVS DEADLINE: JULY 1, 2005

Processing System (GECPS) format. "As of July 1, 2005, DMVS

different funds by each county. The web page screen is formatted like the paper citation. A

All traffic convictions MUST
be processed through GECPS.

will no longer accept any conviction reports processed electronically by any means other than

DSL Internet connection

the GECPS process. All

and a browser are needed to use the

courts who currently use the old for-

program.

mat and method of transmission

The traffic citation data is

must be converted to the new

housed on AOC servers, with dou-

process," he wrote.

ble redundancy meaning that if

For information about TIPS, con-

one server fails, another will still be tact Mr. Steve Nevels at

available. The data then transfers to

404-463-5178 or nevelss@gaaoc.us

the DMVS server over secure con-

nections.

in-law were also abusing meth something she would not have considered doing before joining the drug court program.
Still, breaking the cycle of addiction is difficult. Meth is abundant in Dalton, and most agreed that it gives a better "high" and lasts longer than other drugs. It also costs less. Participants also recognized its downside memory loss, mood swings, and violent behavior.
"You don't realize it's affecting you until you have lost everything," one participant said.
For more information, contact Conasauga Drug Court Coordinator, George Shirilla, (706) 281-4811 or gshirilla@whitfieldcountyga.com

Robert L. Doss, Jr., Honored by Georgia Council of Court Administrators

On January 6, 2005, Mr. Robert L. Doss, Jr., was recog-

Supreme Court of Georgia in Atlanta. Mr. Danny DeLoach, 1st
District Court Administrator,

Mr. Doss served as AOC Director from 1975 until 1998. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Court

nized for his career

presented the stat-

Management and a former

achievements in

uette on behalf of

board member of the

Georgia court admin-

the Georgia Council

National Center for State

istration. A former

of Court

Courts. He served as presi-

Director of the

Administrators.

dent of the Conference of

Administrative Office

Chief Justice

State Court Administrators

of the Courts, Mr.

Norman S. Fletcher

and on numerous state and

Doss was honored by

and Mr. David L.

national commissions and

the Georgia Council

Ratley, current AOC

committees involving the

of Court

Director, also spoke

judiciary.

Administrators with Mr. Robert L. Doss, Jr.

of Mr. Doss's

In 2002 the GCCA estab-

its William Barclay

achievements and The Herndon Award lished the William Barclay

Herndon Award. Former Chief

offered their congratulations. Mr.

Herndon Award to honor Mr.

Justice Harold G. Clarke opened the Doss's family, friends, and former

Herndon's early work in promoting

award presentation ceremony which colleagues were in attendance.

court administration in Georgia.

took place in the courtroom of the

eorgia Courts Journal G
Administrative Office of the Courts 244 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334-5900
NORMAN S. FLETCHER Chief Justice
DAVID L. RATLEY Director
COURTS JOURNAL STAFF Billie Bolton Ashley G. Stollar Philippa Maister

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