Georgia courts journal, Apr. 2006

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April 2006

JJoouurrnnaall

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

National Interpreter Seminar Held in Georgia

On April 8-9, 2006, Presiding Justice Carol W. Hunstein, Supreme Court of Georgia,

welcomed a

nation-wide

contingent of

court inter-

preters to a

two-day Skill

Building

Workshop at

the Cobb

Galleria

Centre in Atlanta.

Presiding Justice Carol W. Hunstein welcomed participants at the meeting.

Justice

Hunstein, chair of the Georgia

Commission on Interpreters, remind-

ed those in attendance of the vital

role each plays in ensuring all non-

English speakers in the judicial sys-

tem receive adequate due process.

Attendees included court inter-

Court Interpreter Certification and

preters from Florida, Georgia,

Funding; Ms. Joyce Garcia, a facul-

Michigan, North

ty mem-

Carolina,

ber of the

Pennsylvania, South

Advisory

Carolina, Tennessee,

Board for

Wisconsin, and

the Trans-

Virginia.

lation

Instructors for the

Studies

seminar included Ms.

Cert-

Joelle Haspil, who

ificate

currently works as a

Program,

freelance interpreter and consultant,

Interpreters during a seminar.

Pima Com-

instructor, test administrator, and test munity College, Tucson, Arizona;

rater for the Supreme Court of

and Mr. Jeck Nevarrete, Cultures

Florida; Ms. Christine Helmrichs,

and Language Associate Professor

current President of the National

at Bellevue University, Bellevue,

Association of Judicial Interpreters

Nebraska. All of the workshop's

and Translators (NAJIT); Ms. Donna instructors are federally-certified by

Whitman, a member of the Arizona

the Administrative Office of the

Supreme Court Commission for

United States Courts.
continued pg 4

Probate Judge of the Year for 2005

The Council of Probate Court Judges has named Judge Walter J. Clarke, II, Gwinnett County Probate Court, as Probate Judge of the Year for 2005. Judge Clarke was presented with the award at a ceremony on Wednesday, March 22, 2006, during the Council's annual awards banquet at their spring meeting in Athens.

Judge Walter J. Clarke, II, accepts the 2005 Probate Judge of the Year Award.

INSIDE

People, Places & Events pg 2

Court of Appeals Hits

the Road

pg 3

Spotlight: AOC Regulatory Section pg 4

2006 Legislative Session pg 5

Judges to "Keep Time" pg 6

Directory Corrections pg 7

Supreme Court History pg 8

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

In Memoriam
F Senior Judge Joel J. Fryer long-time judge in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit died on February 27, 2006, of pancreatic cancer. Judge Fryer was first appointed to the bench of the State Court of Fulton County by Gov. Jimmy Carter in 1971. In 1974 he was appointed to the superior court bench. Judge Fryer, who took senior status in 1996, received his BBA and LLB degrees from the University of Georgia; he served in the US Army Judge Advocate Corps, 1951-1953.
F Judge Terry K. Floyd of St. Marys died on December 12, 2005. Judge Floyd had served as a parttime juvenile court judge in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit since 1986.
Appointment
F Judge George C. Turner, Jr., has been appointed full-time juvenile court judge in the Brunswick

Judicial Circuit. Judge Turner has served as an assistant DA in the Brunswick Circuit since 1995.
Honors
F Judge Cynthia D. Wright, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, has been named one of the nation's top 500 judges by Lawdragon Magazine (www.lawdragon.com). Lawdragon polled thousands of lawyers and academics to compile its list from federal and state judges at every level throughout the U.S.
Transitions
F Mr. Hulett H. "Bucky" Askew has resigned as Director of the Supreme Court Office of Bar Admissions to begin work in May at the American Bar Association as a

NCSC President Visits AOC
Ms. Mary McQueen, a Georgia native and President of the National Center for State Courts, visited the Administrative Office of the Courts on March 8, 2006.
Ms. McQueen (left) confers with Ms. Cynthia Clanton, AOC General Counsel, regarding a diversity training seminar for agency employees.

legal education consultant. Ms. Sarah Evans "Sally" Lockwood will be the new Director of Bar Admissions. Ms. Lockwood has been Executive Director of the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism since 1999.
On the Move
F The Coweta County Justice Center in Newnan opened for business in April. The new Justice Center is located at 72 Greenville Street, Newnan, GA 30263.
F Mr. Cheston Roney, Circuit Court Administrator for the Tifton Judicial Circuit, has accepted a position as Trial Court Administrator for the Paulding Judicial Circuit, effective May 1, 2006.
GCCA Award Nominations
F The Georgia Council of Court Administrators is accepting nominations for its Program of the Year Award. To nominate a court program, contact Ms. Marla Moore, AOC Senior Associate Director for Court Services, at 404-656-6447. The deadline for nominations is September 1, 2006.
Save the Date
F The Judicial Council of Georgia will meet on June 6, 2006, in Savannah at the Hilton Savannah Hotel. For more information about the meeting, call Ms. Terry Cobb at 404-656-5171.

Court of Appeals Hits the Road

April 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 3

The Court of Appeals of Georgia doesn't get out much. Its twelve judges, who hear cases in three-judge panels, can normally be found in their sixth-floor courtroom of the State Judicial Building. While the state's Supreme Court once rode a circuit, logging over 1,000 miles a year on horseback, the Court of Appeals has always had a permanent home in Atlanta since its inception in 1906. The Court shared a courtroom in the State Capitol Building with the Supreme Court of Georgia until its present location was completed in 1956.

Court on the Move

For it's 100th anniversary, the Court

is hitting the road.

With trips to Mercer University

and John Marshall School of Law in

October 2005 and trips to Augusta,

Savannah, and Georgia State

University

this year,

the Court

of Appeals

has already

logged

more miles

in six

months

than it

might in ten years.

Presiding Judge J.D. Smith considers an argument.

"In the past, the Court has trav-

eled to other venues about once

every one or two years," said Mr.

William L. Martin, III, Clerk and

Court Administrator of the Court of

Appeals.

The Court of Appeals of Georgia.
More Visits Scheduled
One more visit has been planned for the current April term of court. On May 23, the Court will visit the new Jackson County Courthouse in Jefferson, Georgia.
In the fall, the Court will hear oral arguments at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga, and in Jesup, Georgia.
Logistical Issues
Trying to accommodate three judges on a bench meant only for one has been one of the logistical problems the Court has encountered on the road. "We're using trial courtrooms, and a trial court bench

isn't set up for three judges," Mr. Martin said. Martin must also time arguments manually on the road instead of relying on the lights and clock that are features of the courtroom in Atlanta. Recording the arguments, if an expanded panel hearing is needed to review a case, has also been an issue.

A Year-long Celebration

Centennial activities are planned

throughout the year including pro-

ducing a documentary, preparing a

history of the court, and hosting a

reception

at the

Georgia

Aquarium

in October.

For

more infor-

mation on

the Court

of Appeals of Georgia, including

Clerk of Court William L. Martin, III, brings the court to order.

its history, biographies of the judges,

the court's calendar, and other

important information, visit

www.gaappeals.us

Divisions of the Court of Appeals

DIVISION 1 Presiding Judge Gary B. Andrews
Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes Judge Debra Bernes

DIVISION 3 Presiding Judge G. Alan Blackburn
Judge Charles B. Mikell, Jr. Judge A. Harris Adams

DIVISION 2 Presiding Judge Edward H. Johnson
Judge M. Yvette Miller Judge John J. Ellington

DIVISION 4 Chief Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr.
Presiding Judge J.D. Smith Judge Herbert E. Phipps

4 Georgia Courts Journal April 2006

Spotlight: AOC Regulatory Section

Commission on Interpreters

Train the Trainer

Davenport of Atlanta, Ms. Katherine

On February 13-14, 2006, the

Murillo-Brueck of Buford, and Ms.

Georgia Commission on Interpreters Linda Eberenez of Athens.

sponsored its "Train the

Orientation

Trainer" class.

In the past, the certifica-

"Train the

tion process for an

Trainer" was

interpreter could take as

established to

little as three weeks or

select instructors

as many as three

from among the

months, depending on

certified inter-

when an orientation

preters in Georgia.
The class

Ms. Joelle Haspil and Mr. Carlos Jiminez were instructors at the court interpreter orientation in

class was taken and when a written exam was offered. For 2006,

was taught by

Macon, GA.

the Commission on

Ms. Joelle

Interpreters has sched-

Haspil, a federally-certified inter-

uled a two-day orientation class to

preter in Spanish and Haitian

be held immediately prior to its

Creole. Fourteen participants attend- written exam.

ed the class, four of whom were

"This change was instituted to

selected to team-teach with Ms.

expedite the certification process,"

Haspil in orientation seminars for

said Ms. Lisa Durden, Assistant

interpreters throughout the year.

Director for Regulatory Services.

The four selected were: Mr. Carlos

The first orientation and exam

Jiminez of Canton, Ms. Adria

program of 2006 was held February

Court Interpreter Orientation and Written Exam Dates

(Orientation will be on Days 1 & 2; the Written Exam will be on Day 3)

Dates: May 17 - 19, 2006 Location: Dalton, Georgia
Deadline: April 21st

Dates: November 11-17, 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Deadline: October 20th

Dates: August 16-18, 2006 Location: Swainsboro, Georgia
Deadline: July 21st

Oral Certification Exam
(all languages):
Dates: June 29 - 30, 2006*
Location: Atlanta, Georgia *additional dates may be added, if necessary.

15-17 at the Administrative Office of the Court's Macon Office. Thirtyfour participants attended the orientation and 53 candidates took the exam.
Each year, approximately 60 people are registered as court interpreters and five are certified in Georgia.
Scholarships
Scholarship funds have been made available for training court interpreters in Georgia for 2006. These funds are being furnished through a collaborative effort between the District Court Administrators in Georgia and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Please refer to our website (http://www.georgiacourts.org/agencies/interpreters/ scholarship.html) for further information concerning the scholarship program.
Interpreter Seminar cont.
The two-day seminar was sponsored by the Georgia Commission on Interpreters, through a grant from the Georgia Bar Foundation, and the Consortium for State Court Interpreter Certification.
Contact Ms. Sharon Reiss at 404-463-6478 for additional information.

April 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 5
2006 Legislative Session: Judicial Scorecard

Before leaving town last month the General Assembly authorized superior court judgeships in the Blue Ridge, Coweta, Houston, and Paulding Judicial Circuits. Other circuits were not as fortunate and will have to wait until the 2007 legislative session to try for additional judge-power.
Under the provisions of HB 1073, Governor Purdue will appoint the new judges for terms beginning January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2008. Successors will be chosen in the November 2008 General Elections.
A proposed split of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit (HB 1255, Walton Judicial Circuit), though recommended by the Judicial Council of

Georgia, did not gain legislative authorization. Local bills creating new state court judgeships in Gwinnett and Henry counties were successful.
Appropriations Shortfall
The Administrative Office of the Courts faces a reduction in force in July 2006 due to a $1,000,000 cut to the agency's FY07 budget. Although more severe cuts were proposed by the Senate budget writers, the agency retained its functions and duties. Satellite offices established in Buford and Statesboro will close as a result of the budget ax and other cost-reduction measures are expected.

For more detailed information contact the AOC Legislative and Government Affairs Division at 404-656-5171.

AOC Teams with Dress for Success

Collaboration between the Atlanta Dress for Success program and the AOC has brought Ms. Cheryl Flowers, a Dress for Success program participant, to work at the agency. Ms. Flowers is training with the County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council (CMPAC) as a volunteer.
The mission of Dress for Success is to advance low-income women's economic and social development and to encourage self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention. Dress for Success responds to the needs of local communities by providing programs that help economically disad-

vantaged women acquire jobs, retain

their

new

posi-

tions,

and

suc-

ceed in

the

main-

stream

workplace.

Ms. Cheryl Flowers (left) works with Ms. Ashley Garner of the CMPAC.

Dress for Success, a not-for-

profit organization, offers services to

help women enter the workforce and

succeed. Each participant is provid-

ed appropriate business attire and

ongoing mentoring support to build a successful career.
For information on the AOC's involvement with Dress for Success, contact Ms. Cynthia Clanton, AOC General Counsel, at 404-656-5171.
Dress for Success
Atlanta Apparel Mart 250 Spring Street, Suite 12W361
404-589-1177/F 589-1187 atlanta@dressforsuccess.org http://www.dressforsuccess.org

6 Georgia Courts Journal April 2006
Judicial Council of Georgia
Workload Assessment Committee
Chief Judge Joe C. Bishop, Chair Superior Court, Pataula Judicial Circuit
Judge Melinda Anderson Magistrate Court of Liberty County
Judge Cynthia J. Becker Superior Court
Mountain Judicial Circuit
Chief Judge William T. Boyett Superior Court,
Conasauga Judicial Circuit
Judge Tammy S. Brown Probate Court of Barrow County
Chief Judge William H. Craig Superior Court, Flint Judicial Circuit
Chief Judge Doris L. Downs Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit
Judge Cliff L. Jolliff Juvenile Courts
Northeastern Judicial Circuit
Judge David M. Pierce Municipal Court of Perry
Judge Toby Batson Prodgers State Court of Cobb County
Chief Judge Hugh W. Stone Superior Courts, Enotah Judicial Circuit
Judge William M. Towson Senior Judge, Superior Courts of Georgia
Ms. Joanne P. Caldwell Clerk of Superior Court, Rockdale County
Ms. Connie H.Cheatham Clerk of Superior Court, McDuffie County
Mr. John E. Cowart District Court Administrator, District 2
Ms. Jody Overcash District Court Administrator, District 7

Judges to "Keep Time"

Superior Court judges around the state will soon be seen scribbling in private diaries--

Committee, says he is satisfied that the project is off to an auspicious beginning, "I appreciate the effort of

time-keeping logs of workday activi- each judge who has agreed to partic-

ties-- as part

ipate in the study."

of a statewide

Judges will keep track of the

project

time they spend in the courtroom

launched on

on criminal, general civil and

April 17, 2006

domestic relations cases.

under the direc-

They will also record actu-

tion of the

al time spent on case-

Judicial Council

related matters away

Workload

from the bench

Assessment

such as legal

Committee.

research and

Training ses-

opinion-writing.

sions, conducted

Judge Bishop

by AOC Research

will report to the

staff, for the project

Judicial Council at

were held recently in Tifton, Macon,

Counties participating in the Superior Court Workload Assessment.

the June, 2006 meeting in Savannah on the

Albany, Statesboro

progress of the study.

and Atlanta. Judge Joe Bishop,

For more information contact Ms.

chair of the Workload Assessment

Yolanda Lewis at 404-656-5412.

Cognition Issues in the Court Conference to be Held in Atlanta

The Georgia Commission on Access and Fairness in the Courts in collaboration with the State ADA Coordinator's Office will host a conference on Cognition Issues in the Courts at the State Bar Office in Atlanta on May 16 & 17.
Practitioners from around the country along with judges, attorneys, service providers, and disability advocates will discuss how to best provide court accommodations for persons with cognitive disabilities.

This event is a working conference in which a white paper will be generated describing the issues faced by many court officials as well as some proposed solutions. The finished document will be distributed to conference attendees and court officials.
The conference is free and CLE units will be available for Georgia licensed attorneys.
Contact Ms. Stephanie Chambliss at (404) 463-3927 for registration information.

April 2006 Georgia Courts Journal 7
Courts Directory Corrections

SUPERIOR COURT Cordele Circuit Judge Robert W. Chasteen FAX 229-426-5733
MAGISTRATE COURT Fulton County Judge Jean Kutner jeanneykutner@comcast.net
Judge Kimberly Warden Suite G47 Charles L. Carnes Bldg. 160 Pryor Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303 404-730-5396/F 730-5417
JUVENILE COURT Appalachian Delete: Judge Ronald J. Armstrong
SENIOR Magistrate Add: Judge Herschel Hamlen, Jr. 32 Waddell Street, 3rd Floor Marietta, GA 30090-9656 770-528-8924/F 528-8947
MUNICIPAL Albany, Dawson, Sylvester, Warwick Judge Willie C. Weaver, Sr. 911 Pine Avenue PO Box 646 Albany, GA 31702-0646
Alpharetta Add: Judge Jim Matoney 12624 Broadwell Road Alpharetta, GA 30004 678-297-6250/F 297-6251
Delete: Judge Scott N.G. Childress

Judge Lindsay R.M. Jones 239 Sterling Street Decatur, GA 30030 404-915-6260
Judge Andrew T. Rogers 104 Cambridge Avenue Decatur, GA 30030 404-373-4200/F 373-4147
Delete: Judge Viviane Ernstes
Duluth Chief Judge Charles L. Barrett, III 3276 Buford Highway Duluth, GA 30096 678-512-3733/F 770-814-3005 cbarrett@duluthpd.com
Forest Park Add: Judge Michael Baird 9109 Thornton Boulevard Jonesboro, GA 30236 770-478-0661
Judge Bobby J. Simmons 1065 Marie Street Forest Park, GA 30297-3851 404-363-4439/F 363-4381
Delete: Judge J. Clayton Davis; Judge T. Michael Martin
Grovetown Add: Judge John Flythe 411 Telfair Street PO Box 2292 Augusta, GA 30901 706-724-5001/F 724-0067
Delete: Judge John Markwalter

Morrow Add: Judge John Clayton Davis 2670 Emerald Drive Jonesboro, GA 30236 770-715-5912/F 957-3257
Nashville Add: Chief Judge Paul W. Hamilton PO Box 605 Nashville, GA 31639-0605 229-686-3000/F 686-2989
Delete: Judge Reese Franklin
Newton Add: Judge Richard L. Waters, Jr. PO Box 188 Camilla, GA 31730 229-336-3962/F 336-9163 rwatersjr@hotmail.com
Delete: Judge James R. Thurman; Judge Robert C. Richardson, Jr.;
Patterson Add: Judge Jim McGee PO Box 679 Waycross, GA 31502 912-285-0355/F 285-4729
Delete: Judge Stephen E. Tillman
COURT CLERKS/ ADMINISTRATORS Juvenile Courts Paulding County Angela R. Norris 1387 Industrial Blvd., N., Suite 103 Dallas, GA 30132 770-443-7532/F 443-2029

Berkley Lake, Norcross Add: Judge Jan McKinney 280 Constitution Boulevard Lawrenceville, GA 30005 770-963-8607/F 962-2159
Decatur Add: Judge Berryl Anderson 556 N. McDonough St., Suite 1200 Decatur, GA 30030 404-964-3443 berryl.anderson@earthlink.net

Lakeland Add: Judge John W. Strickland, Jr. 110 Church Street PO Box 38 Lakeland, GA 31635 229-482-2100/F 482-9303
Delete: Judge Hughie Fuller
Lumpkin Judge Henry Williams hwilliams@mccallphillips.com

It's Directory Update Time
Again!
Soon you'll be receiving an Address Verification Postcard in the mail. Please review your informa-
tion carefully and return the postage-paid card by June 23.
Thanks!

A History of the Supreme Court of Georgia, 1946-1996

F ormer Chief Justice Harold N. Hill, Jr. has chronicled a half century of the Supreme

In 1946 Chief Justice Reason Bell of Webster County presided over a Supreme Court made up of

Court of Georgia from an insider's

white males. By 1996 when Robert

point of view.

Benham of

Justice Hill

Cartersville served

served on the

as the court's first

high court for

African-American

more than eleven

Chief Justice, the

years, 1975-

Supreme Court of

1986; he says the

Georgia and the

inspiration for

world had changed

beginning the

dramatically.

project was the Court's 150th birthday celebra-

Former Chief Justice Harold N. Hill, Jr., was honored with a portrait that now hangs in the Supreme Court Courtroom in Atlanta.

Justice Hill touches on both the personal and scholarly sides

tion in 1996. While his history is

of many of the justices and their rul-

"unauthorized," readers will enjoy the ings, as well as, state politics, the

authenticity of his voice and the skill

legal community and more.

with which he handles the material.

Copies of A History of the Supreme Court of Georgia, 1946-1996 are $15.00 and can be obtained by contacting the author at his home address: 455 Forest Valley Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30342,
telephone 404-255-2927.

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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