Georgia courts journal, Feb. 2006

February 2006

Journal

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

Chief Justice Sears Addresses General Assembly

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears delivered her State of the

resentation in juvenile courts, expediting appeals for child deprivation
cases, and

Judiciary

placement sta-

address to a

bility for chil-

joint session of

dren in foster

the General

care.

Assembly on January 25, 2006, reporting

Other Highlights:

that Georgia's

judiciary is

Judicial

"sound, strong, and working well to meet the

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears delivers her first State of the Judiciary Address in the House Chambers.

Independence "It is not the role of a judge

challenges that face us."

to try cases in the court of public

Chief Justice Sears highlighted

opinion. Rather, it is the job of a

programs that have made a differ-

judge to be a fair and impartial

ence in the way justice is adminis-

arbiter of conflict."

tered including: e-filing initiative,

the Child Support Guidelines

Budget

Commission, and accountability

"I only ask that you consider the

courts. She is especially concerned

essential role you play in preserving

with issues involving children and

and improving our court system."

family such as improving legal rep-

Workload Assessment to Begin

In late March selected superior court judges will begin keeping detailed records of the amount of time spent on the bench for specific case-types, as well as time logs for case-related work away from the bench.

Three criminal case-types: "unified appeals," "serious felony" and "other felony," will be used in the study according to Judge Joe Bishop, Chair of the Workload Assessment Committee.
continued pg 4

Superior Court Judgeships
On the 10 recommended superior court judgeships, "Georgia is fortunate to have dedicated and talented superior court judges, but we need more than talent and dedication alone if we are to address the demands of a growing state population."
Chief Justice Sears ended her address by asking the General Assembly to recognize a mutual concern for excellence in government by all three branches of government. "We are all partners in this great enterprise of representative government and are traveling the same path. Our roles and responsibilities are different, but our goal is the same -- to serve the people of Georgia to the best of our abilities."

INSIDE

People, Places & Events pg 2

Benham Awards

pg 3

Drug Endangered

Children Initiative

pg 4

Under the Gold Dome pg 5

Website Redesign

pg 6

Directory Corrections pg 7

Court of Appeals Centennial Celebration pg 8

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

In Memoriam
F Senior Justice Richard Bell of Decatur died on November 28, 2005. Justice Bell served on the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1982 - 1992. Previous to his time on the state's highest bench, he served as a Superior Court judge in the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit (1976-1982) and as District Attorney for twenty years.
F Senior Judge George W. Harris of Fort Valley died on December 25, 2005. Judge Harris served as a Justice of the Peace beginning in 1976. In 1983 he became a Magistrate in Peach County and subsequently served as Chief Magistrate until his retirement. Judge Harris remained active in the Council of Magistrate Court Judges after taking senior status and was serving as a mentor judge and chair of the Council's Hospitality Committee at the time of his death.
F Judge Del Buttrill of McDonough succumbed to lung cancer on January 16, 2006, after a year-long struggle. Judge Buttrill, who served as Henry County probate judge for nearly 24 years, was set to retire on January 29.
Appointments
F Swearing-in ceremonies were held in Atlanta on December 28, 2005, for Judge Oliver Harris Doss, Jr., Appalachian Judicial

Circuit, and Judge James E. Hardy, Southern Judicial Circuit. Gov. Perdue was present in the House Chambers of the State Capitol to administer the oaths of office.
These two judgeships, created in 2005, became effective January 1, 2006.
F Judge D. Scott Smith, Cherokee Judicial Circuit, Judge Wade M. Crumbley, Flint Judicial Circuit, and Judge Thomas N. Davis, Jr., Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, were sworn-in by Gov. Perdue on December 29, 2005.
These three judgeships, created in 2005, became effective January 1, 2006.
F On January 31, 2006, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced his appointment of Judge Christopher Brasher to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Judge Brasher fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge M. Gino Brogdon. He will be sworn-in on February 28, 2006.
Honors
F Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears was honored at the 14th Annual Trumpet Awards, on Monday, January 23, 2006, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The Trumpet Awards salutes

African-American achievements in many diverse fields including law, politics, medicine and entertainment. Chief Justice Sears was recognized for her contributions in the field of law. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the presenting sponsor of the annual Trumpet Awards.
F On Friday, January 6, 2006, Presiding Justice Carol W. Hunstein was recognized by the State Bar of Georgia Committee on Women and Minorities in the Profession with the Commitment to Equality Award. Justice Hunstein, currently chair of the Georgia Commission
Commitment to Equality
on Access & Fairness in the Courts, has worked tirelessly throughout her judicial career to enhance opportunities for women, minorities, and those with disabilities in the courts. Justice Robert Benham introduced the Presiding Justice and presented the award.
F On December 15, 2005, Chief Judge Brooks E. Blitch, III, Alapaha Judicial Circuit, was awarded the 2005 Liston Elkins Award for Distinguished Service. The award is given annually to an individual whose dedicated efforts have contributed to an improved quality of life for the citizens of Southeast Georgia.

February 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 3
People, Places and Events ...

Benham Awards
F The Seventh Annual Justice Robert Benham Award recipients were honored on January 5, 2006, at the State Bar midyear meeting in Atlanta. The Benham Award for Community Service was established in 1998 to highlight the spirit of volunteerism in the legal community.

civic contributions in the Augusta area including: urging downtown development, leading an effort to serve the city's underprivileged, and working to heal racial divisions.

tenure as juvenile court judge "to promote effective intervention for juvenile offenders that benefit the individuals as well as society as a whole."
Judge Cliff Jolliff, Juvenile Courts, Northeastern Judicial Circuit, involvement in professional and courtrelated organizations and his participation in a range of efforts that directly benefit the community.

This year's judicial recipients are:

Recipients of the 2006 Justice Benham Award were honored on January 5, 2006, at the State Bar of Georgia's Midyear Meeting in Atlanta.

Other recipients of the

Benham Award for

Community Service include:

Judge Herbert E. Phipps, Court of Appeals of Georgia, acknowledged for his years of service as a civil rights litigator and judge and his continued work with community organizations in Albany.

Judge William "Hal" Craig, Flint Judicial Circuit, recognized for his lifelong commitment to the citizens of Henry County throughout his legal and judicial career.
Judge Gregory A. Adams, Stone

Mr. Carlton A. Devooght, Brunswick; Mr. Roy W. Copeland, Valdosta; Mr. Charles P. Taylor, Warner Robins; Mr. Robert A. Cowan, Dalton; Ms. Samantha Jacobs, Metter; and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

Judge Duncan Wheale, Augusta Judicial Circuit, honored for his

Mountain Judicial Circuit, recognized for his efforts during his

Mr. Upshaw C. Bentley, Jr., Athens.

GCCA 2005 Program of the Year Award
The Georgia Council of Court Administrators selected the Fulton County Juvenile Court "Education Advocacy Initiative Program" for the 2005 Program of the Year Award. Mr. Bob Bray (right), made the presentation on behalf of the Council to (left to right) Mr. Todd Brown, Education Facilitator; Ms. Janet Ransom, Supervising Probation Officer; Ms. Penny Wright, Education Liaison; and Ms. Kimberly Mills, Education Advocate. The ceremony was held at the Romae T. Powell Juvenile Justice Center on November 22, 2005.

4 Georgia Courts Journal February 2006
Drug Endangered Children Initiative

Since 2004, Judge Peggy Walker, Juvenile Court of Douglas County, has seen a dramatic increase in cases of abused and neglected children whose parents are involved in production or use of methamphetamine. Accepting the challenge of advocating on behalf of Georgia's most vulnerable citizens, Judge Walker began to investigate national Drug Endangered Children programs, and took the lead in forming the Georgia Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (GADEC).
The GADEC has developed into a multi-agency effort whose mission is to prevent abuse to children caused by the manufacture, distribution, sale and/or use of drugs. The program seeks to rescue, defend, shelter, and support children who suffer physical and psychological harm caused by exposure to methamphetamine, alcohol, and other drug abuse.
GADEC has supported development of a state protocol for handling

drug-endangered children which is being used by law enforcement, child welfare and medical services. Now a national model, the protocol was a collaborative effort of the
Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Department of Human Resources, with assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The GADEC Executive Committee oversees seven workgroups: Local Alliance Building, Training, Protocols, Prevention, Treatment, Public Awareness, and Data Collection and Evaluation. The effort involves 90 volunteers and three full-time staff members.

Skip Chesshire Next NACM President

Mr. Skip Chesshire, Cobb County Superior Court administrator, recently began his term as president-elect of the National Association of Court Managers (NACM). Mr. Chesshire, a founder of the Georgia Council of Court Administrators, has been in court administration for over twenty years. In July 2006 he will assume the presidency of NACM at its Annual Meeting to be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Mr. Chesshire began a threeyear term on the NACM Board of Directors in July 2005 and Mr. Skip Chesshire also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Today the GADEC looks forward to hosting a third state-wide conference, as well as sponsoring regional training and education sessions. The group is also developing a comprehensive database of state and national research resources, conducting public awareness campaigns, and providing prevention services for children and their families designed to stop child abuse that results from illicit drug use and alcohol abuse.
For more information contact Ms. Melva Steps, GADEC Project Director, stepsm@gaaoc.us or call 404-463-1229
Judicial Workload
Assessment cont.
For purposes of the study "serious felony" is defined as "a felony case in which the District Attorney seeks a sentence of ten or more years of confinement at the time of sentencing." In addition, misdemeanors of a high and aggravated nature will be considered "serious misdemeanors" and the remainder as "other misdemeanors." These case-types closely follow the widely-acclaimed "Minnesota Model," developed by the National Center for State Courts.
Records generated by the study will be used to determine new case weights for the annual superior court judgeship study conducted by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
For more information, contact Ms. Yolanda Lewis at 404-6566412.

Under the Gold Dome

February 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 5

The following legislation is being considered during the 2006 Legislative Session as recommended by the Judicial Council.

Superior Court Judgeships HB 1148 and SB 416 Creation of a third judgeship in the Enotah Judicial Circuit.
HB 1111 Creation of a tenth judgeship in the Cobb Judicial Circuit

Civil Filings House Bill 1195 specifies that "superior court clerks may refuse to accept a civil case filing that is not accompanied by a completed filing coversheet as required by law."

HB 1073 Creation of a third judgeship in the Houston Judicial Circuit.
HB 1263 Creation of a third judgeship in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit

For complete coverage of the 2006 Session of the General Assembly, visit the AOC's Legislative Tracking website at www.ciclt.com/aoc/default.asp

Alcovy Circuit Split HB 1255 proposes creation of the Walton Judicial Circuit.
"Your Guide to the Georgia Court" Gets New Look
The Administrative Office of the Courts is pleased to offer a new version of our popular "Your Guide to the Georgia Courts" brochure.
The new design includes a restructured appellate route schematic, updated language, and information about managing court operations, jury service, and funding of the state's courts.
To order your copies, call 404656-5171 today.

Upcoming Events

APRIL 2006 Court Interpreter Workshop
The Commission on Interpreters will host a skills-building workshop for court interpreters April 8-9, 2006, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. This workshop is co-sponsored by the National Center for State Courts and the Commission on Interpreters through a grant from the Georgia Bar Foundation. The program will feature nationally-recognized instructors and is designed both to enhance skills for court interpreters and encourage interpreters to take the Oral Certification Exam.
Registered court interpreters who are currently licensed and reside in Georgia may be eligible for a scholarship subsidy. Contact Ms. Sharon Reiss at 404-656-6422 for additional information.

MAY 2006 2nd Annual Drug and DUI Court Conference
The Judicial Council Standing Committee on Drug Courts will host the 2nd Annual Statewide Drug and DUI Court Conference at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City on May 1012, 2006.
The program is designed for county commissioners, legislators, judges, prosecutors, defenders, probation, law enforcement, and other court personnel already operating drug courts or those who are considering implementing Drug or DUI Courts.
For additional information, contact Ms. Kelly Moody, AOC Legislative and Governmental Affairs Division, at 404-463-3820.

6 Georgia Courts Journal February 2006
Judicial Branch Website Unveils Redesign

In it's continuing efforts to provide timely, relevant information to the judges, court personnel,

You Need" Section. Users can access information based on who they are: citizens, judges, court per-

and citizens of

sonnel, mem-

Georgia, the

bers of the

Administrative

legal profes-

Office of the

sion.

Courts has unveiled a com-

News Items

prehensive

A scrolling

redesign of it's

news feed from

website.

the Atlanta

Mr. Brian

Journal

Collins, AOC

www.georgiacourts.org

Constitution

Webmaster, said of the site's new

and a feature window for recent

look, "We want www.georgia-

news of the judicial community

courts.org to be among the best judi- have also been added to the website.

cial websites in the country." Several features have been added

Courthouse Spotlight

that allow users quick access to

County courthouses are high-

information.

lighted in "Courthouse Spotlight."

Each time a user accesses the web-

Find What You Need

site a different county is featured

An integral part of the new

along with a link to the Carl Vinson

design centers of the "Find What

Institute of Government's site with

extensive information about all of the state's courthouses.
Quick Links
Easy-to-navigate tabs are located on the website homepage for Legislative Tracking, Caseload Data, Publications, Court Rules, Court Technology Initiatives, as well as many more items of interest.
Feedback
"We hope to receive feedback from the court community regarding use of the website and it's accessibility on www.georgiacourts.org," said Mr. Collins.
To send feedback about www.georgiacourts.org, visitors to the site can use the link at the "Find What You Need" feature.
MARCH 2006

FY 05 Annual Report Available
The Georgia Courts FY 05 Annual Report is now available.
The annual report includes trial and appellate court caseload information for Calendar Year 2004.
To obtain copies, contact the AOC at 404-656-5171.

LEAP TRAINING
The Board of Court Reporting is sponsoring the Learning Essentials About Professionalism seminar on March 10, 2006, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.
LEAP is designed to promote professionalism, educate, guide, and mentor new court reporters.
For more information contact Mr. Clay Richardson, Project Manager, at 404-651-8707.

February 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 7
Courts Directory Corrections

SUPERIOR COURTS Appalachian Circuit Judge Oliver Harris Doss, Jr. 400 W. Main Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513 706-258-5203

PROBATE COURTS Decatur County Judge Edwin J. Perry, III 112 W. Water Street PO Box 234 Bainbridge, GA 39818-0234

Add: Judge Jean Turner- Horton PO Box 356 Lexington, GA 30648 706-743-8321/F 743-3177
Delete: Judge Ashley Barnett

Atlanta Circuit Judge Christopher Brasher T8905 Justice Center Tower 185 Central Avenue, SW Atlanta, GA 30303 404-730-4335/F 730-7160
Cherokee Circuit Judge D. Scott Smith 135 W. Cherokee Avenue, Suite 335 Cartersville, GA 30120 678-721-3242/F 721-3251
Flint Circuit Judge Wade M. Crumbley One Courthouse Square McDonough, GA 30253 678-432-4607/F 770-954-2137
Gwinnett Circuit Judge Tom Davis, Jr. Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center 75 Langley Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30045 770-822-8585/F 822-8584
Southern Circuit Judge James E. Hardy PO Box 2037 Thomasville, GA 31799 229-228-6370/F 228-6369
SENIOR JUDGES Superior Court Judge Marvin W. Sorrells 770-266-1610
Magistrate Judge G.L. Arflin, Jr. PO Box 3 Unadilla, GA 31091-0003 478-627-3303

MAGISTRATE COURTS Cobb County Add: Judge John Strauss 5180 Roswell Road, NW Atlanta, GA 30342 404-256-3600, ext. 203
Add: Judge Timothy Wolfe 3059 Vinings Ferry Drive Atlanta, GA 30339 770-435-8616 twolfelaw@bellsouth.net
Add: Judge Leah Zammit Providence Park, Suite 50 3535 Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30062 770-971-9494
Dooly County Add: Judge Lonny Anderson 507 Parker Street Vienna, GA 31092 229-268-4669
Gwinnett County Add: Judge Joseph L. Randazzo, Jr. Gwinnett County Justice & Administration Center 75 Langley Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30045-6935 770-822-8081/F 822-8075
Lee County Add: Judge Michael Todd Roberts PO Box 522 Leesburg, GA 31763 229-759-6016/F 759-3303
Oglethorpe County Add: Andretta Derricotte PO BOx 356 Lexington, GA 30648 706-743-8321/F 743-3177

Putnam County Judge Ellen I. Pierce Judge Virginia C. Clinch 100 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 306
MUNICIPAL COURTS Flovilla, Jackson, Locust Grove Judge W. Franklin Freeman, Jr. 250 Lassiter Road Forsyth, GA 31029
Sandy Springs Chief Judge James M. Anderson, III 5855 Sandy Springs Circle, Ste. 130 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 404-255-0319/F 255-0477
Judge Pro Tem Lawrence D. Young 1827 Powers Ferry Rd., Bldg. 12-200 Atlanta, GA 30339 770-818-0082/F 818-0084
Waycross Add: Judge Pro Tem. Adam Ferrell 117 Albany Avenue PO Box 1589 Waycross, GA 31502-1589 912-283-3858/F 283-3806
Delete: Judge Andrew C. Spivey
SOLICITOR GENERAL Clarke County Add: Morris H. Wiltshire, Jr.
Delete: Ralph W. Powell
SUPERIOR COURT CLERK Hart County William E. Holland, III 706-376-7189

Court of Appeals Launches Centennial Celebration

On January 24, 2006, the twelve judges of the Court of Appeals of Georgia gath-

ered in the State Capitol for a cere-

mony to kick

off the court's

Centennial

Celebration.

Chief

Judge John

H. Ruffin, Jr.,

welcomed the

crowd of judges, legislators, court employees,

Chief Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., receives the Governor's Proclamation.

and the public. Judge Herbert

Phipps gave the invocation and

Presiding Judge J.D. Smith present-

ed a brief history of the Court of

Lt. Governor Mark Taylor and

Appeals of Georgia through its first

Speaker of the House Glenn

one hundred years.

Richardson also presented resolu-

Governor

tions from the

Sonny Perdue pre-

Senate and House

sented a procla-

of Representatives

mation to Chief

commemorating

Judge Ruffin to

the watermark

recognize the

year for the

court's upcoming

Court of Appeals.

October anniver-

Centennial

sary and designate

activities are

2006 the "Court Court of Appeals Centennial Ceremony.

planned through-

of Appeals

out the year

Centennial Year." The Governor's

including hearing oral arguments in

statement recognizes the Court's role cities around the state, producing a

in ensuring that "Georgians receive

documentary, preparing a history of

fair treatment in the trial courts and

the court, and hosting a reception at

in final resolutions of disputes."

the Georgia Aquarium in October.

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

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