Georgia courts journal, Oct. 2006

October 2006

Journal

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

Judicial Council Approves New Judgeships and Appropriations Requests

The Judicial Council of Georgia met on August 29, 2006, to consider requests for new superior court judgeships. After reviewing caseload data for the twelve requesting circuits, the Council approved the following new judgeships in order of priority:

General Assembly's Prerogative
Superior court judgeships are created by the General Assembly. Effective dates are established by

1. Gwinnett (10th judge) 2. Dublin (3rd judge) 3. Enotah (3rd judge) 4. Cordele (3rd judge) 5. Southern (6th judge) 6. Brunswick (5th judge) 7. Atlanta (20th judge) 8. Alapaha (3rd judge)
The Enotah, Dublin, and Southern circuit requests were carryovers already approved by the Council in 2005.

Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes announces judgeship rankings during the August meeting.
statute and funding is authorized at the time the positions become effective. In the 2006 session the General Assembly added judgeships in the Blue Ridge, Coweta, Houston and Paulding judicial circuits. These judgeship appointments will be

Court of Appeals Video History
ACentury of Serving Justice: History of the Court of Appeals of Georgia" has been produced by the Court of Appeals. The documentary highlights the creation of the court, its first judges, inclusion of minorities and women on the bench, and the changes technology has brought to the work of the court.
Copies of the documentary will be sent to schools around the state.

made by the Governor for terms beginning January 1, 2007.
Appropriations Requests Approved
The Council also approved appropriations requests for FY07 of $14,214,725 and FY08 of $18,603,387. A major portion of the requested increase for FY08, ($2.1 million) is designated for expansion of existing Drug and DUI Courts operated locally.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Judicial Council is December 5, 2006 at the Wyndam Vinings Hotel. For more information about the meeting, call Ms. Terry Cobb at 404-656-5171.

INSIDE

People, Places & Events pg 2

AOC Transitions

pg 3

Court of Appeals

Centennial Tour

pg 4

Spotlight: AOC Communications pg 6

Middle School Tool

pg 7

Jury Talk

pg 9

Directory Corrections pg 10

2 Georgia Courts Journal October 2006
People, Places and Events ...

In Memoriam
F Judge David M. Pierce of Perry died on July 13 of pancreatic cancer. Judge Pierce had served as Chief Magistrate of Houston County since 1997 and also as municipal court judge in the cities of Byron and Perry. After graduating from Emory University School of Law, he was a Captain in the US Air Force. Judge Pierce was an active member of the Council of Magistrate Court Judges and Council of Municipal Court Judges.
F Judge Sylvia Huskins of Eatonton died on August 15. Judge Huskins served as magistrate judge for fifteen years. Prior to earning her law degree from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law, she taught elementary and middle school.
F Court Reporter Judith A. Pulliam of Kennesaw died on May 16, 2006. Ms. Pulliam began her career with the Cobb County Superior Court in 1987 and became the official court reporter for Judge George H. Kreeger in 1994. She earned both the National Court Reporter Association "Registered Merit Reporter" Certificate and the National Court Reporter Association's "Certified Realtime Reporter" certificate. In April 2006, Ms. Pulliam was honored by the Cobb County Bar Association with the Administrative Professional Award.

Appointments
F On July 6, 2006, Judge Ernest D. Blount (see photo below) became judge of the State Court of Henry County.
F Mr. Andrew W. Pope was sworn-in as Solicitor-General for Thomas County State Court on July 6, 2006. The ceremony took place in the House Chambers of the State Capitol. Mr. Pope fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Joseph T. McGraw.
F Judge Robert E. Turner was appointed as Chief Magistrate of Houston County on September 5, 2006. Judge Turner fills the vacancy created by the death of Judge David M. Pierce
F Judge Vernita Lee Bender, Municipal Court of Valdosta, was sworn-in on September 14, 2006.

Judge Bender fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge John K. Edwards to the State Court of Lowndes County.

F Ms. Sharon Reiss has been named Executive Director of the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. Ms. Reiss is a graduate of the University of North
Ms. Sharon Reiss Carolina and the Wake Forest School of Law.
She assumes her new duties October 2, 2006.

Honors

F On May 1, 2006, Judge Tom

Rawlings, Juvenile

Court, Middle

Judicial Circuit,

was named

Juvenile Court

Judge of the Year

by the juvenile law

committee of the

Judge Tom Rawlings

State Bar of Georgia.

continued pg 3

Henry State Court Judge Takes Oath

Judge Ernest D. Blount (left), takes the oath of office from Gov. Sonny Perdue on July 6, 2006. Formerly Judge Blount served as judge of the Municipal Court of Stockbridge.

People, Places and Events ... cont.

October 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 3

F Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears has been elected to serve a two-year term on the Board of Directors of the Conference of Chief Justices. The announcement was made at the COSCA annual meeting in Washington, DC.
F The Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA) honored its founding members at its 25th Anniversary Gala on July 16, 2006. Founders Awards were presented to: Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, Supreme Court of Georgia; Judge Barbara A. Harris, Municipal Court of Atlanta; and Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane, Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, all of whom founded GABWA in 1981. Annual awards have been created in honor of the founders to recognize GABWA members, community leaders, and organizations who strive to achieve social, political, and economic equality for black people.
F Judge Philip Taylor, Magistrate Court of Cobb County, recently completed the requirements for two
Professional Certificates in Judicial Development - one in the area of Dispute Resolution and the other in Judge Philip Taylor Special Court Trial Skills. Both certificate programs are part of the National Judicial College (NJC) curriculum. Judge Taylor has served as a Cobb County Magistrate Court judge since 1996. He also

serves as municipal court judge for the cities of Kennesaw and Acworth.

F Judge Peggy Walker, Juvenile Court of Douglas County, was recently named a 2005-2006 Harris Mid-Career Fellow by "Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families." Judge Walker was one of thirteen Fellows selected from an international competition.
AOC Transitions

F Ms. Debra Nesbit has been

named Acting Deputy Director of

the agency as of

August 1, 2006.

She will continue

to head the

Governmental

Affairs Division

and will assume responsibility for

Ms. Debra Nesbit

agency operations in the absence of

the Director.

F Mr. Chris Patterson, Assistant Director for Judicial Liaison, assumes responsibilities as Acting Associate Director for Court Services, effective October
Mr. Chris Patterson
1, 2006. He fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms. Marla Moore. Mr. Patterson holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Masters in Public Administration from Kansas State University.

F Dr. Gregory W. Arnold, head of AOC Research, has been designated Senior Assistant Director for the agency. Dr. Arnold has been with the AOC since August
Dr. Greg Arnold 1991.

F Mr. Michael Kendrick was named Assistant

Director for

Human

Resources and

EEOC

Compliance

Monitor for the agency as of

Mr. Michael Kendrick

August 1, 2006.

F Mr. Julius Tolbert, AOC staff attorney, has been named Assistant
Director for Legal Affairs.

F Ms. Lisa Durden, AOC Assistant Director for Regulatory, becomes executive director in the Regulatory Division of the Secretary of State's Office in Macon, effective October 15, 2006.

Save the Date
December 5, 2006
Judicial Council Meeting Wyndam Vinings Hotel
For more information call Ms. Terry Cobb at 404-656-5171.

4 Georgia Courts Journal October 2006
Court of Appeals Continues Centennial Celebration

As the summer heat cools down, the Court of Appeals of Georgia is geared up to complete its One Hundredth Anniversary Year in high-fashion. The Court turns 100 on October 3, 2006 -- the milestone will be recognized with a Centennial Dinner at the Georgia Aquarium on October 6.
Centennial Tour
Students from Gordon Lee High School got into the appellate action when the judges from Division One held court on September 6 in Chickamauga. Presiding Judge Gary B. Andrews, Judge Anne

Oratorical Contest

ers." Students delivered their

On September 9, 2006, twenty-

speeches without the aid of notes,

eight high school students from

microphones, or lecterns.

throughout Georgia competed in an

Contest judges included Justice

oratorical competition.

George H. Carley,

The students, finalists in

Supreme Court of

local competitions, made

Georgia; Chief Judge

their presentations to an

John H. Ruffin, Jr.,

assembly of judges and

Judge Anne Elizabeth

attorneys at the State Bar

Barnes, and Judge M.

of Georgia.

Yvette Miller, all of the

First place winner

Court of Appeals; and

Caleb Smith, a senior at

Chief Judge Sidney L.

Cartersville High School,

Nation, Superior Court

received a $7,500 scholar-

of Rockdale County.

ship and will give his ora- Oratorical Contest winner
Mr. Caleb Smith (left) will

The oratorical con-

tion at the Court's Centennial Dinner in

deliver his oratory on October 6. He is pictured

test was sponsored by

with Chief Judge John H. the Court of Appeals and

Atlanta.

Ruffin, Jr.

Justice Served, Inc. (a

The topic given to student

nonprofit organization).

speakers was "separation of pow-

Judicial Council of Georgia August 29, 2006

A Gordon Lee High School student (at lectern) presents his case to Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes, Presiding Judge Gary B. Andrews, and Judge Debra Bernes.
Elizabeth Barnes, and Judge Debra Bernes conducted a moot court proceeding in the case of Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan v. World Championship Wrestling. Students from Gordon Lee High School attended the moot court and the two appellate cases that were argued later that morning.
Other venues visited by the Court of Appeals in September were Statesboro, Jesup, Fort Valley, and Gainesville, as well as Mercer University and Morehouse College.

Seated (l-r): Judge Velma Tilley; Judge Betty Cason; Judge Doris Downs; Judge Gail Flake; Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears; Presiding Justice Carol W. Hunstein; Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes; Judge Kimberly Warden; and Judge Brenda Cole.
Standing (l-r): Judge John Ott; Judge Quillian Baldwin; Judge Arch McGarity; Judge Ben Studdard; Judge Jim Clarke; Judge Ronnie Joe Lane; Judge Shepherd Howell; Judge Rucker Smith; Judge Thomas Bobbitt; Judge Stan Smith; Judge Stephen H. Andrews; Judge Gates Peed; Chief Judge John H. Ruffin; Judge David E. Barrett; and Judge William Boyett.

October 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 5
Marla S. Moore Honored by Administrative Office of the Courts and Supreme Court

On September 26, 2006, a reception was held for Ms.

members to serve as chair during 1995 and 1996.

Marla S. Moore, AOC Senior Associate

Member of the Georgia Department of Human

Director for Court Services. Ms. Moore,

Resources Sexual Assault Task Force and chaired the

who came to the AOC in January 1981 as the

committee that produced the first Statewide Protocol for

Justice Hugh Thompson presents Ms. Moore with the Supreme Court Resolution.

Judicial Liaison

Handling Sexual Assault

Officer, has accepted a

Cases.

position with the

Criminal Justice

Project Director for the

Coordinating Council.

Georgia Commission on

Gender Bias in the Judicial

Responsibilities

System

As Senior Associate Director of Court Services, Ms.

Ms. Marla Moore bids farewell to judges, friends, and coworkers as she moves to the CJCC.

Appointed by the Supreme Court to serve as the

Moore supervised the

Executive Director of the

Judicial Liaison Section, Research

Supreme Court Committee for

Section, Communications Section,

Gender Equality from January 1993

and the Georgia Committee for

through January

Access and Fairness in the Courts.

1995.

A resolution in her honor from the Supreme Court of Georgia was presented by Justice Hugh Thompson. Chief Judge Doris Downs, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, and Ms. Judith Cramer, 5th District Court Administrator, recognized Ms. Moore's work with the Atlanta Judicial Circuit with a Certificate of Merit. Mr. David Ratley, AOC Director, presented a cut-glass statuette in commemoration of her years
of service.

Activities
In 1992, Ms. Moore was appointed by Governor Zell Miller to serve on the Georgia Commission on Family Violence and was elected by its
AOC TTY Line
The Administrative Office of the Courts has installed a TTY Line in its Atlanta office to enable persons with a hearing disability to contact the agency directly.
The number is 404-453-6788.

Ms. Moore has an

Member of the

undergraduate

Executive

degree in History

Committee of

and a Masters in

the Georgia

Political Science

Council of

from Pittsburg State

Court Administrators.

Ms. Moore poses with magistrate court judges (l-r) Judge Jeff Davis, Judge Al Willis, and Judge Thomas Bobbitt.

University in Kansas. She is also a Fellow of the

A Warm

Institute of Court Management. She

Good-Bye

is a member of the National

The reception was attended by

Association of Court Managers, and

many of the Justices and Judges

is an Associate member of the

with whom Ms. Moore worked on a

National Association of Women

daily basis, as well as colleagues

Judges.

from the Administrative Office of

the Courts.

6 Georgia Courts Journal October 2006
Spotlight: AOC Communications Section
Working Hard to Make the AOC Look Good

Ms. Billie Bolton, Assistant Director for Communications, was interviewed for this feature. She has been the Communications Officer since 1993.
Q. We don't hear much about the Communications Section of the AOC. What does the Communications Section do?
A. Communications is responsible for providing reliable information about the Georgia courts and the judiciary. Fielding questions from the press is a key function. The department also distrib-
Ms. Billie Bolton
utes press releases; photographs events of interest, and produces professional-quality publications. We also act as secretariat to the Judicial Council, preparing the official minutes of each meeting.
Q. What are some of the publications you produce?
A. The primary AOC publications include the Georgia Courts Directory, an annual directory of judges and other judicial personnel; the Georgia Courts Annual Report, which includes caseload data and highlights from the year; and the Georgia Courts Journal.

Q. This year, the AOC published a calendar. Will you publish as calendar for 2007?
A. Yes. We had such a great response with the calendar that we're publishing a 2007 calendar.
It features Georgia courthouses ranging from the most modern to traditional architectural styles.
Q. Will the calendar be free again this year?
A. Yes and no. We'll be sending the first printing at no charge. Additional copies can be purchased for $10 -- a nominal amount that helps cover the costs of printing and mailing.
Copies can be ordered by accessing our website (www.georgiacourts.org) or by e-mail (stollara@gaaoc.us) to request an order form.

Q. What else is Communications doing?
A. We're excited about our new poster entitled "Georgia's Court System" for use by middle schools. We will distribute the poster widely to public and private schools.
Q. Does this poster replace the "Your Guide to the Georgia Courts" brochure?
A. The AOC continues to publish the "Guide" which is targeted to jurors and the public generally. The "Guide" is a valuable tool for judges and others for discussing the responsibilities and functions of the courts and is available free of charge.
Q. Who works in Communications?
A. Ms. Ashley Stollar is our graphic designer, myself, and during the summer, a student intern.

Will YOUR Courthouse Be
in The 2007 Calendar?
Don't let 2007 catch up with you without it! Order your
"Courthouses of Georgia Calendar" today.
Copies are $10 and can be ordered at www.georgiacourts.org or by contacting Ashley Stollar at
stollara@gaaoc.us

October 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 7
Spotlight: AOC Communications Section

Middle School Tool: Judicial Poster in Production

It is no stretch of the imagination to say that few people know and understand how the court system

courthouses, and the many professionals whose jobs are essential to the judicial system.

works. In Georgia schools, eighth

"The poster is geared toward

graders are taught

eighth grade stu-

Georgia history, but little time is spent covering state government and even less time is spent on the judicial system.
To increase awareness of the work and workings of the courts, the Communications Section of the AOC has created a visual entitled, "Georgia's Court System."

The "Georgia's Court System" poster is brightly-colored and easy to use.

dents, but could also be used for just about any grade," said Ms. Ashley Stollar, AOC Communications Specialist. "We chose to illustrate the poster with photos of Georgia judges, courthouses, and courtrooms. The colorful design makes the information more fun."

The brightly-colored 18" x 24" poster covers topics such as the different levels of courts, jurisdiction of courts, judicial selection, what judges do, judicial circuits, county

What Do the Courts Do?
"Different courts are set up to do different things," this panel reads. Each court's jurisdiction, number of courts, and likely number of judges.

Cobb Administrator Named NACM
President at Annual Meeting
Mr. Skip Chesshire (center) with the Cobb Superior Court bench: (l-r) Judge Stephen Schuster; Judge Adele Grubbs; Chief Judge James G. Bodiford, Jr.; Judge Robert Flournoy, III; Mr. Chesshire; Judge George H. Kreeger; Judge S. Lark Ingram; and Judge Kenneth O. Nix. Photographed at the NACM Conference in Orlando, FL, when Mr. Chesshire was sworn-in as president of the group.

Georgia's Court System
This panel discusses the three branches of government, including the judicial branch's role in a checks and balances system of government.
Judicial circuits and county courthouses are also covered. A full-color map of Georgia, showing the 49 judicial circuits, is a handy reference for students to answer questions such as "I live in the ______ Circuit" and "There are _____ counties in my circuit."
Who Are Georgia's Judges
How are judges chosen? What do judges do? These are a few of the questions answered in this panel. The judges of the DeKalb County State Court, arguably the most diverse bench in the state, are pictured.
Who's at the Courthouse?
It's not just judges and lawyers, you know. This panel describes many of the professionals (court administrators, court clerks, court reporters) whose jobs are essential to the efficient work of the courts.
Plans are in development for a Website as a companion and complement to the poster. For more information, contact Ashley Stollar at stollara@gaaoc.us

8 Georgia Courts Journal October 2006
County & Municipal Probation Advisory Council
On September 20-21, 2006, an orientation session was held at the AOC Macon office to assist city and county-operated probation personnel who must now register their programs with the County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council. Effective July 1, 2006, the General Assembly designated supervision of governmental, as well as private, probation programs to the Advisory Council. Notices regarding the requirements of the new law have been sent to every city and county in Georgia. The registration period for these programs is October 1- December 31, 2006.
Sheriff Steve Cronic, Hall County is the new chair of the County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council, replacing Judge Jim Burton of Wilkes County; Mr. Michael Nail, Georgia Department of Corrections, is now vice-chair.
Please visit www.georgiacourts.org for complete information on Council rules and orientation sessions.
Please Recycle

From the Board of Court Reporting...
New Members
On August 18, 2006, Ms. Vickie Wiechec, Ms. Vickey Riggins, and Mr. Richard T. Kent were sworn in as members of the Board of Court Reporting. The Board elected Judge Linda Cowen, State Court of Clayton County, as its chair and Mr. Richard T. Kent as its co-chair.

Rules Changes
The Judicial Council approved changes to the Rules of the Board of Court Reporting at its August 29 meeting in Atlanta. The revisions applying to Section A, Article 3.A, concern procedures for the written exam, takedown, and transcription; revisions to Article 9D, concern Sanctions.
If you would like to receive copy of the revisions, contact Ms. Aquaria Smith, Program Manager, Board of Court Reporting, 244 Washington Street, SW, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30334-9007; phone, 404-651-8707; e-mail, smitha@gaaoc.us

Fee Schedule for Official Reporters
Effective July 1, 2006, the per diem and page rates in the official reporters' fee schedule increased by 2% as approved by the Judicial Council of Georgia.

Per Diem
Page Rates Expedited Daily Copies Civil Takedown

$179.36 to 8 hours $200.85 to 9 hours $215.23 maximum $3.57 per page for Original + 2 $5.37 per page for Original $7.15 per page for Original $1.43 per page $40.87 per hour

Grants Given to Domestic Violence Programs

On July 18, 2006, Judge Cliff Jolliff (left), Juvenile Court, Northeastern Judicial Circuit, and Chief Judge William T. Boyett, Superior Court, Conasauga Judicial Circuit (far right) deliver a check to one of eight nonprofit organizations. The FY2007 grants distributed to domestic violence groups total over $2,000,000.

Jury Talk

October 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 9

NCSC Resources: Help with drafting jury instructions is available from the National Center for State Courts website: "Communicating with Juries: How to Draft More Understandable Instructions," a benchbook produced by the NCSC Research Department, can be viewed at www.ncsconline.org
The data collection phase of the NCSC nation-wide survey of trial court innovations has been completed. Look for the survey results to be published by the Center for Jury Studies later this year.

A Jury Management seminar sponsored by the Institute for Court Management will be held in Orlando, Florida, October 25-27, 2006. Register on line at the NCSC website.
Unified Courts of Guam: Jury duty is an obligation of citizenship, however, if you are thinking of relocating to the US Territory of Guam, once tapped for jury duty on the island, you may remain "on call" for up to a year! Check out the website, www.guamsupremecourt.com before making any hasty decisions.

Jury Innovations Upheld: A recent decision by the US District Court, Eastern District of New York (Monroe v. Kuhlman, __F.Supp.2d ___, 2006 WL 1756018 (EDNY) Lexis cite, (2006 US Dist. LEXIS 43673), upheld the practice of furnishing copies of key exhibits in the jury room. The opinion states that there is no constitutional barrier to these innovations, and also approves note taking, juror notebooks and questions by jurors.
Send your jury-related questions to Ms. Leslie Johnson at johnsonl@ gaaoc.us; her Jury Talk column will appear periodically in the Georgia Courts Journal.

From the Commission on Interpreters...

Newly Certified Interpreters
Mrs. Martha Aguilar 3141 Bromley Rowe Duluth, GA 30096 770-232-0788/ 404-513-4542 patricia@gamainterpreting.com
Mrs. Blanca Gilmore 2500 Pleasant Hill Road, Apt. 25 Duluth, GA 30096 770-623-3552/ 404-819-1026 blanca_gilmore@hotmail.com
Mr. Carlos Jimenez 401 Skyview Lane Canton, GA 30114 770-883-7458/ 770-883-7458 cjimenezxxi@hotmail.com

Ms. Laura Leon 4218 Claremont Terrace Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-354-7708 lauraleon@bellsouth.net
Mr. Ramuel Martinez 7133 Big Woods Drive Woodstock, GA 30189 678-462-5080/ 678-462-9211 ramuelm@gmail.com
Mr. Ian McColl P.O. Box 6245 Marietta, GA 30065-0245 770-485-6600/ 404-694-8814

Mr. Jaime Mena 8008 W. Mary Jane Lane Peoria, AZ 85382 602-635-6459/ 804-339-0848
Mr. Luis Navarro 1903 Wylie Drive Augusta, GA 30906 706-798-2333/ 706-836-2874 lnavarro@luchonavarro.com
Ms. Linnea Olson 4571 Sahara Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30331 770-518-2155
Mrs. Giovanna Serrano 3356 Clubland Drive Marietta, GA 30068 770-973-3992

10 Georgia Courts Journal October 2006
Courts Directory Corrections

SUPERIOR COURT Dublin Circuit Chief Judge H. Gibbs Flanders 478-272-0061
Macon Circuit Judge S. Phillip Brown Judge Lamar W. Sizemore, Jr. 310 Bibb County Courthouse
SENIOR JUDGE Superior Court Judge Joseph J. Gaines 706-613-3161/F 613-3169
STATE COURT Effingham County Judge Ronald Thompson rkthomp@effinghamcounty.org
JUVENILE COURT Atlantic Circuit Delete: Judge Luz Cloy
Bell-Forsyth Circuit Judge J. Russell Jackson Judge Pamela D. Boles 845 Lanier 400 Parkway, Suite 100 Cumming, GA 30040
Southern Circuit Assoc. Judge Robert D. Howell PO Box 100 Moultrie, GA 31776 229-985-5300/F 891-3378 robert.howell@southgalaw.com
MAGISTRATE COURT Baldwin County Judge Sadie Simmons 121 N. Wilkinson Street, Suite 107 Milledgeville, GA 31061
Clarke County Add: Judge Ethelyn N. Simpson 325 E. Washington Street PO Box 1868 Athens, GA 30603 706-613-3310/F 613-3314

Clay County Add: Judge Geneva English PO Box 314 Fort Gaines, GA 39851-0314 229-768-2478
Delete: Judge Curtis L. Hubbard
Gwinnett County Add: Judge James R. Argo, Jr. Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center 75 Langley Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30045-6900 770-822-8081/F 822-8075
Delete: Judge Angela Couch Nguyen
Houston County Judge Robert E. Turner Chief Magistrate 89 Cohen Walker Drive Warner Robins, GA 31088 478-987-4695/F 987-5249
Polk County Delete: Judge Ryan Remsen
SPECIAL COURTS Recorder's Court of Gwinnett County Judge Patricia H. Muise 115 Stone Mountain Street Lawrenceville, GA 30045 770-619-6168/F 619-6009 patricia.muise@gwinnettcounty.com
MUNICIPAL COURT Blythe Add: Judge Todd C. Hughes 411 Telfair Street Augusta, GA 30901 706-722-7573/F 722-7807
Delete: Judge Benjamin A. Jackson
Bronwood Add: Judge Nancy P. Fryer 1021 West Main Bronwood, GA 39826 229-995-5708/F 995-5085

Calhoun Judge Suzanne Hutchinson 201 N. Wall Street PO Box 580 Calhoun, GA 30703-0580 706-629-3795/F 629-9516
Cartersville Add: Judge Harry B. White PO Box 1987 Cartersville, GA 30120 770-382-9591/F 382-1210 hwhite@wcwattorneys.com
Delete: Judge Herbert M. Crane, Jr. Judge Pro Tem. Neal Brunt
East Point Chief Judge Rashida Oliver 2727 East Point Street East Point, GA 30344 404-305-8219/F 765-1191 roliver@eastpointcity.org
Eatonton Judge Hugh D. Ridgeway, III hughdr@bellsouth.net
Emerson Judge Lance T. McCoy Five S. Public Square, Suite 303 Cartersville, GA 30120 770-382-0984/F 382-3679
Guyton Add: Judge Grady K. Reddick 125 E. Ogeechee Street PO Box 1923 Sylvania, GA 30467 912-564-7821/F 564-7844
Hepzihbah Add: Judge James S. Murray PO Box 1495 Augusta, GA 30903 706-722-7543/F 722-1822
Delete: Judge Benjamin A. Jackson

October 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 11
Courts Directory Corrections

Kennesaw Chief Judge Philip P. Taylor, Judge Joan Vaughn Bloom, Judge Joel Siegel, Judge Donald W. Singleton 2529 J.O. Stephenson Avenue Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-429-4531/F 678-2843
Leesburg Delete: Judge Catherine Spillers
Palmetto Chief Judge Antone L. Allison PO Box 577 Fairburn, GA 30213
Perry Add: Judge Herbert L. Wells PO Box 2030 Perry, GA 31069 478-988-2814/F 988-2805
Riverdale Judge Ronald J. Freeman, Sr. 6690 Church Street Riverdale, GA 30274 770-991-0462/F 997-9839 rfreeman@jfllc.com
Add: Judge Pro Tem. Pam Everett 6690 Church Street Riverdale, GA 30274 770-991-0462/F 997-9839
Rockmart Add: Judge Stefanie E. Drake 216 Main Street PO Box 64 Cedartown, GA 30125 770-748-3870/F 748-2489
Snellville Chief Judge H. Steven Ruth Judge Mark Layng 2342 Oak Road Snellville, GA 30078 770-985-3550/F 985-3541

Judge Steve Leibel Six Concourse Pkwy., 22nd Floor Atlanta, GA 30328 770-512-0300/F 512-0070
Judge Angela Duncan 308 North Clayton Street Lawrenceville, GA 30045 770-995-1004/F 995-7949
Delete: Judge William Brogdon
Sparta Add: Judge Robert M. Wynne 110 Malone Street PO Box 621 Sandersville, GA 31082-0621 478-552-6911/F 552-6979 h&wlaw@sandersville.net
Sugar Hill Chief Judge Margaret Gettle Washburn 390 W. Crogan Street Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Add: Judge Charles Barrett
Thomasville Judge Mark E. Mitchell 921 Smith Avenue Thomasville, GA 31792 229-227-3304/F 227-4007
Valdosta Judge Vernita Lee Bender PO Box 1083 Valdosta, GA 31603-1083 229-293-3171/F 333-1803
Whitesburg Add: Judge Jason W. Swindle, Sr. 410 Tanner Street Carrollton, GA 30117 770-836-8332/F 836-8388
Delete: Judge Nathaniel L. Smith

COURT ADMINISTRATORS Superior Court Cobb County Skip Chesshire schesshire@cobbcounty.org
Bell-Forsyth Circuit Stephan J. Frank The Stone Building 118 Castleberry Road, Suite 117 Cumming, GA 30040 678-965-7140/F 965-7150 sjfrank@forsythco.com
SUPERIOR COURT CLERKS Jenkins County Elizabeth T. Landing 611 Winthrope Avenue
JUVENILE COURT CLERKS Glynn County Donita T. Taylor dtaylor@glynncounty-ga.gov
Gwinnett County Sheila W. Williams 115 Stone Mountain Street Lawrenceville, GA 30045 770-619-6325/F 619-6092 sheila.williams@gwinnettcounty.com
SOLICITOR GENERAL Jenkins County Troy A. Gay 359 E. Winthrope Avenue
OFFICIAL COURT REPORTERS Add: Michael Dane Russell PO Box 2763 Columbus, GA 31902-2763 706-464-0001 midaru@dieselvaden.com
JUDICIAL COUNCIL Judge Kimberly Warden 404-730-5396 /F 730-5417

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

Board of Commissioners for Magistrate Retirement Fund Named
On August 21, 2006, Governor Sonny Perdue (center) named Commissioners for the Magistrate Retirement Fund including, (l-r) Judge Warren P. Davis, Chief Magistrate, Gwinnett County; Mr. Britton D. Brewer, Consumer Member; Judge Mary Kathryn Moss, Chief Magistrate, Chatham County; Judge Connie J. Holt, Chief Magistrate, Morgan County; Judge Rita Cavanaugh, Chief Magistrate, Spalding County; Judge Tommy C. Bobbitt, Chief Magistrate, Laurens County; Ms. Molly Perry, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; and Mr. Bob Carter, COAG.
The Magistrate Retirement Fund was created by the Georgia General Assembly during its 2006 session.

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

Fall Conferences
Advancing Court Technology The Administrative Office of
the Courts is sponsoring a technology conference, Advancing Court Technology, October 24 - 27, 2006. The conference will be held at the Ridges Resort & Club in Hiawasee.
For more information, go to www.actgeorgia.org
Georgia Council of Court Administrators
The Georgia Council of Court Administrators Fall Conference will be held November 6, 7, and 8, 2006, at the Mountain Creek Inn at Callaway Gardens.
For more information contact Mr. Daniel E. DeLoach at 912651-2040.