Georgia courts journal, Dec. 2007

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia
December 2007
People & Places . . . .pg 2 Judges Sworn-in by Gov. Perdue . . . . .pg 3 Judge Phipps Honored . . . . . . . . . .pg 4 Appellate Courts Welcome Lawyers . . .pg 5 Juvenile Court . . . . .pg 6 Directory Corrections . . . . . . . .pg 8
Fulton County I-CAN! Program
Story on Page 1

Georgia Courts Journal
Administrative Office of the Courts 244 Washington Street, SW, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334
Leah Ward Sears
Chief Justice
David L. Ratley
Director
Courts Journal Staff Billie Bolton
Assistant Director for Communications
Ashley G. Stollar
Graphic Designer

1 Georgia Courts Journal December 2007

Fulton County Court Project Provides Free Bilingual Help for Family Legal Issues

The Fulton County Superior Court Family Court Division has developed an internet court document creation system. "I-CAN!," financed through grant funds from the Administrative Office of the Courts, is an interactive, web-based system for self-represented litigants. I-CAN! modules cre-

ate properly formatted pleadings and provide litigants with information on the how-to steps to pursue a legal action.
I-CAN! was originally developed by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County (California) and has been tailored for use in Georgia.

English (left) and Spanish (right) versions
of I-CAN!

Council of Municipal Court Judges New Website Up & Running

The Council of Municipal Court Judges website has been redesigned. The site, which went live in October 2007, is a tool for judges and the public.
Judges can access training information, change of address forms, meeting dates, publications, and staff contact information.
The "Learn about Municipal Courts" tab provides help to citizens using the municipal courts. A directory of judges and other information is available through the site.

http://www.georgiacourts.org/councils/ municipal/index.html

I-CAN!
Users answer a series of questions which are incorporated into court filings for child support; visitation and custody; divorce; annulments; income deduction; name changes; legitimation; or answers to domestic legal action and file counterclaims.
I-CAN! also completes forms necessary for temporary protective orders in cases of domestic violence and stalking. The program is available in English and Spanish; the finished legal forms are produced in English.
On-site Law Information Center
The Fulton County Superior Court's Law Information Center is available to assist I-CAN! clients with nonlegal, family law related questions or certain legal questions. An on-site attorney consults with clients who qualify for a free 30-minute session. Contact the Fulton Law Information Center at 404-335-2789.
Find more information about I-CAN! at www.fultonfamilydivision.com

I-CAN! can be accessed at www.fultonfamilydivision.com

People, Places, & Events

In Memoriam

Retired Judge T.N. Holcombe, Jr. of Valdosta died September 12, 2007. Judge Holcombe served as Probate Judge of Lowndes County from 1949 until his retirement in 1991. He succeeded his father who held the post from 1915 until 1949.

Senior Judge Joseph Gaines of Athens died September 22, 2007. Judge Gaines was appointed to the bench of the Western Judicial Circuit in 1976. In 2002, he assumed senior status.
Transitions

Judge Stephanie Manis, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, retired October 31, 2007. Judge Manis was appointed to the bench in May, 1995 after many years as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of Georgia. She has taken senior status.

Mr. Fred Roney, Sixth Judicial

District Court

Administrator, has

announced his

retirement effective

January 31, 2007.

Mr. Roney, a gradu-

ate of Auburn

Mr. Fred Roney

University, Georgia State

University, and the Woodrow

Wilson School of Law, began his

career with the courts in 1977.

Honors
On October 3, 2007, Chief Judge Karlton Van Banke, Juvenile Court, Clayton Judicial Circuit, was presented the Scales of Justice Award by the National Association of Legal Professionals. The award is given to those who improve access to justice, improve the quality of legal services, promote the legal profession and support the community. Judge Banke served as Clayton County's first full-time referee to the juvenile court from 1989 until his appointment in 1995 as juvenile court judge.
Chief Judge Edward E. Carriere, Jr., State Court of DeKalb County, received the Ogden Doremus Award presented by the Council of State Court Judges on October 18, 2007, in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Judge Carriere has served on the DeKalb County bench since his appointment in 1998; he is a past president of the Council of State Court Judges.
Judge Carriere (left) received the Ogden Doremus Award from Judge Brenda H. Cole, Fulton County, and Judge Donny Peppers, Walker County.

In a ceremony held October 26, 2007, at the Fulton County Government Center, a portrait of Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore, commemorating her 30 years of judicial work, was unveiled. The portrait of The portrait, com- Judge Moore. missioned by distinguished members of Atlanta's legal and civic communities, will hang in Courtroom 4E of the Justice Center Tower.
Judge Moore began her judicial career in 1977 as a judge of the Municipal and City Courts of Atlanta. She served on the Fulton State Court bench prior to her 1990 appointment to the Superior Court bench of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit.
Mr. Joseph Mulholland, District Attorney, South Georgia Judicial Circuit, and Mr. Will Simmons, Superior Court Administrator, Clayton County, were among the state's rising leaders identified by the October 2007 issue of Georgia Trend Magazine, "40 Under 40."
Appointments
On November 9, 2007, Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed George Grant Brantley as Senior Superior Court Judge. Judge Brantley was elected to the Superior Court bench of Cobb County in 1980 and served until 1992.
continued pg 7

2 Georgia Courts Journal December 2007

Submit your item for People, Places & Events. E-mail stollara@gaaoc.us to be included in the next Georgia Courts Journal.

3 Georgia Courts Journal December 2007

Judges Sworn-in
Perdue administers oath of office to Superior, State Judges

In a ceremony held on December 10, 2007, in the House Chambers of the State Capitol, two new superior court judges and one state court judge took the oath of office from Governor Sonny Perdue. These seats were created by the Georgia General Assembly during its 2007 term; appointments were announced by

Enotah Judicial Circuit -- Judge Murphy C. Miller of Young Harris will join the superior court bench for the Enotah Judicial Circuit. Judge Miller, currently serving as Enotah Circuit Public Defender, is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson College of Law. Will be sworn-in on January 7, 2008.

Gov. Perdue on October 9, 2007.

Gwinnett Judicial Circuit -- Judge Warren P. Davis

Cobb Judicial Circuit -- Judge Tain Kell, Sr., of

of Norcross will join the superior court bench after serv-

Marietta, a graduate of the University of Georgia School ing 23 years as Chief Magistrate for Gwinnett County.

of Law, practiced

Judge Davis, a grad-

law at the Marietta

uate of Columbia

firm of Brock, Clay,

Southern School of

Calhoun and

Law, fills a position

Rogers, prior to his appointment to the

created by the Georgia General

superior court

Assembly during its

bench.

2007 term. Will be sworn-in on January

Dublin Judicial

8, 2008.

Circuit -- Judge

Donald W. Gillis

Macon Judicial

of Dublin becomes

Circuit -- Judge

the third superior

Edgar "Ed" W.

court judge for the

Ennis, Jr. of Macon

Dublin Circuit. He

has been appointed

has served as the judge of the State

Judge Tain Kell

Judge Donald Gillis

Judge Patricia W. Booker to fill the vacant seat created by the retire-

Court of Treutlen

ment of Chief Judge

County since 1999. Judge Gillis earned his law degree

G. Bryant Culpepper. Judge Ennis, a partner in the

from Mercer University.

Macon firm of Constangy, Brooks & Smith, previously

served as US Attorney for the Middle District of

State Court of Richmond County -- Judge Patricia

Georgia. He earned his law degree from the University

W. Booker of Augusta becomes the fourth judge on the of Georgia School of Law. Will be sworn-in on January

Richmond County State Court bench. She was formerly 8, 2008.

associated with Kilpatrick Stockton LLP and is a gradu-

ate of the University of Georgia School of Law.

State Court of Clarke County -- Judge Ethelyn N.

Simpson of Athens has been named as the second judge

Other Appointments:

on the Clarke County State Court bench. Judge

Cordele Judicial Circuit -- Judge T. Harry Hurt of

Simpson, a University of Georgia School of Law gradu-

Cordele, a Mercer University law school graduate, was

ate, has served as a magistrate judge in Clarke County

appointed to serve the superior court of the Cordele

since 2006. Will be sworn-in on January 7, 2008.

Judicial Circuit. Will be sworn-in on January 7, 2008.

Background photo -- State Capitol, Chambers of the House of Representatives.

Judge Herbert Phipps Honored

On September 7, 2007, Judge Herbert Phipps, Court of Appeals of Georgia, was

inducted into the

Society of

Benchers at Case

Western Reserve

University School

of Law. The

Society is the

Cleveland, Ohio

law school's "Hall

of Fame." Judge Phipps, a 1971 graduate of the law school, was

Judge Herbert Phipps was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1999.

one of eight new

inductees.

The Society of Benchers was

established in 1962 to recognize grad-

uates of the Case Western Reserve

University School of Law who have

especially distinguished themselves in

their profession and their communi-

ties and have thereby brought honor

to the law school. Each year the socie-

ty chooses new members on the basis

of their extraordinary dedication to

community welfare and enduring

commitment to the highest principles

of the legal profession. Since its

founding, the Society of Benchers has

become one of the law school's most

revered societies, and has inducted

over 300 distinguished graduates.

AOC Grant News

The Appalachian and Douglas Judicial Circuits will be expanding their Family Drug Treatment Court Services over the next three years with help from a $1.5 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Eden Freeman, AOC Program Manager, stated that the award will be made to the Judicial Council of Georgia for disbursement to the court sites.
The grant award reflects judicial concern about the escalating abuse of methamphetamine throughout the state and its devastating impact on children who are increasingly subjected to parental abuse and neglect at home. Family Drug Treatment

Courts combine the resources of the courts, child protection services and drug treatment programs to give families an opportunity to recover from addiction and remain together.
Judge Peggy Walker, Douglas County Juvenile Court, Chief Judge Brenda Weaver, Appalachian Judicial Circuit, and Judge John WorcesterHolland, Juvenile Courts of the Appalachian Circuit will oversee the grant programs locally.
For more information on AOC grant projects and assistance for applying, contact Ms. Eden Freeman, Program Manager, AOC Grants and Project Management, at freemane@gaaoc.us or 404-4630043.

AOC Hires Budget Officer

Ms. Vonnetta Pryor joined the staff of the AOC on October 1, 2007 as Chief Budget Officer for the agency. A graduate of Tuskegee University, Ms. Pryor earned her MBA at Troy State University in Montgomery; since 2002 she served as Budget Director for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Her duties at the AOC will include oversight of the annual budget document submitted to the Governor and General Assembly; she will also be responsible for the agency's internal financial controls and reports.
In welcoming Ms. Pryor to the AOC management team Mr. David L. Ratley, AOC Director,

Mr. David L. Ratley, AOC Director, (left) welcomes Ms. Vonnetta Pryor to the AOC.
stated that he believes "her years of experience as an agency budget liaison to the Georgia General Assembly will prove invaluable to the Judicial Branch, enabling us to strengthen our ongoing relationships with legislative leaders."

4 Georgia Courts Journal December 2007

Background photo: Supreme Court Courtroom, State Judicial Building

5 Georgia Courts Journal December 2007

Appellate Courts Welcome Lawyers

Sixty-five attorneys were admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Georgia, Court of Appeals of Georgia, and the US District Court in a ceremony held at the State Judicial Building on November 8, 2007. Justice P. Harris Hines, Supreme Court of Georgia (left) and Judge William S. Duffey, Jr., US District Court, Northern District (right), addressed the assembly as other judges of the Georgia appellate courts looked on.
Justice Hines urged those participating in the admissions ceremony to be aware of the responsibilities of the legal profession, "Our advice should be carefully thought out, our words temperately uttered, and our conduct should at all times be prudent."

"Justice for the Day" Program

On November 7, 2007, fifteen students from local

computer technicians to justices of the court. Chief Justice Leah Ward

Sears and Justice Harold Melton spoke with the group about how the
court works.

Atlanta schools participated

The Supreme Court of

in the "Justice for the Day"

Georgia hosts more than 30

program at the Supreme

tour group annually, includ-

Court of Georgia.

ing, elementary and high

Students were given the

school students, college

opportunity to meet the

groups, and delegations from

many people who con-

foreign nations. To arrange a

tribute to the daily opera-

visit to the Supreme Court,

tions of the state's highest

contact Ms. Jane Hansen,

court -- from law clerks, administrative assistants,

Chief Justice Sears (center) poses with students from KIPP WAYS Academy and Atlanta Youth Academy in her chambers.

Public Information Officer, at 404-651-9385.

-- CORRECTION -- Please Note
The correct dates of the 2008 Drug Court Conference are June 17 - 19, 2008 at the
Wyndham in Peachtree City.

Two young men (right) try on robes during their visit to the Supreme Court of Georgia.

Among the Supreme Court's 30 visiting groups in 2007 were delegations of court officials from Africa and Brazil.

New Judicial Education Course on Managing Juvenile Sex Offender Cases

The Institute of Continuing Judicial Education (ICJE) of Georgia will launch a new curriculum on managing the cases of juvenile sex offenders. The first program will be presented at the Juvenile Court Judges Spring Conference in Jekyll Island in May 2008.
Funded as a collaborative venture involving the State Justice Institute, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Center for Effective Public Policy. The

Georgia program received $21,000 from the State Justice Institute, ICJE contributed $27,000.
New Opportunity
"Managing Juvenile Sex Offense Cases: Keys to Informed DecisionMaking" provides juvenile and family court judges the opportunity to gain practical information to enhance dayto-day decision-making in these types of cases. The curriculum, developed by a judge and experts in the field of

juvenile sex offender management, was tested in 2006 to pilot audiences.
The ICJE bears primary responsibility for professional training and continuing education of elected officials, court support personnel and volunteers of the State's judicial branch.
For more information, contact Ms. Sherry Carson, ICJE Program Manager, at 706-542-7403 or sherry@icje.law.uga.edu

6 Georgia Courts Journal December 2007

From the Commission on Interpreters

The Supreme Court Commission on Interpreters has made available "Instructions for Using NonLicensed Interpreters," to guide court personnel in determining the qualifications of non-licensed interpreters. Suggested questions for screening applicants and the Court Interpreter's Oath are included. All interpreters who are licensed with the Commission, either certified or regis-

tered, are issued identification cards annually to verify their license status.
"Instructions for Using NonLicensed Interpreters" are available on the web at www.georgiacourts.org/ agencies/interpreters
For more information about the Commission on Interpreters, contact Ms. Katherine Cadena, Program Manager, at 404-657-4219 or coi@gaaoc.us

"Your Guide to the Georgia Courts" Brochure is Available!
Call 404-656-6783 today for copies.

Available Languages
Languages in Georgia which have certified interpreters include:
Arabic, Bosnian, Cantonese,
Farsi, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese

Lists of registered and certified interpreters are available at www.georgiacourts.org/agencies/interpreters

7 Georgia Courts Journal December 2007

National Center for State Courts Offers Educational Publications

Justice Case Files
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has developed a series of graphic novels to help improve the public's awareness and knowledge about the

courts. The stories told in the Justice Case Files aim to inform citizens about how judges make decisions, how courts work, and the important role courts play in a democratic society. The story lines were developed by judges and other legal professionals.
Justice Case Files: The Case of Internet Piracy tells the story of a young woman charged with theft for downloading music; her grandmother's house is part of an eminent domain dispute.
The 24-page graphic novel is available for purchase from the NCSC and can be customized with a court or state seal. For more information, contact Lorri Montgomery, NCSC, at 757-259-1525; order copies by contacting Mr. Greg Chadwell at Layne Morgan Media, at 417-887-1233.

"Free to be Fair" Poster Series
The "Free to be Fair" poster series was developed by the National Center for State Courts to educate the public about the courts and to
promote a positive image of the justice system. A supply of these posters is available at no charge from the Judicial Council of Georgia at 404656-5171.

People, Places, & Events cont.
The Judicial Nominating Commission has forwarded candidate shortlists to Gov. Sonny Perdue to fill superior court judgeships in the Atlanta and Augusta Judicial Circuits.
On November 27, 2007, Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Mr. Robert S. Highsmith, Jr. of Atlanta to the Judicial Nominating Commission.

2008 Courthouses of Georgia Calendar Now Available!
Order your calendar today!
Copies are $10 and can be ordered at
www.georgiacourts.org or by contacting Ashley Stollar at stollara@gaaoc.us

Order your 2008 Calendar and "Your Guide to the Georgia Courts" by contacting the AOC at 404-656-6783.

Courts Directory Corrections

Check here for recent changes to the 2007-2008 Georgia Courts Directory.

Superior Courts
Augusta Circuit Delete: Judge Neal W. Dickert
Flint Circuit Judge Brian Amero bamero@co.henry.ga.us
Macon Circuit Delete: Chief Judge G. Bryant Culpepper
Senior Judges
Judge F. Marion Cummings 770-720-6553
Add: Judge G. Grant Brantley 1463 Winterfield Court, NW Kennesaw, GA 30152 404-402-1298 grantbrantley@comcast.net

Cobb County Add: Judge Clarence O. Taylor, IV 89 Debonaire Drive Marietta, GA 30064 770-429-1484
Delete: Judge Susan Hope
Cook County Name change from Judge Lori Shierling to Lori D. Taylor
DeKalb County Judge James E. Spence, Jr. 125 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 420 Decatur, GA 30030-2536 404-377-3638/F 3377-3533 jspence@wmdlegal.com
Fulton County Judge Sally Cobb Cannon sallycobbcannon@bellsouth.net

State Courts
Richmond County Chief Judge Gayle Hamrick Judge Richard Slaby Judge David D. Watkins 520 Greene Street Augusta, GA 30901
Add: Judge Patricia W. Booker 520 Greene Street Augusta, GA 30901
Juvenile Courts
Alapaha Circuit Judge C. Joseph Steedley Homerville, GA 31634
Magistrate Courts
Catoosa County Add: Judge Christopher James Lyons 877 LaFayette Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3114/F 965-6500

Municipal Courts
Grantville Judge Joseph A. Wyant 72 Greenville Street, Suite 1200 Newnan, GA 30263 770-254-2610
Jesup Judge Joseph Phelps 1355 West Orange Jesup, GA 31545 912-427-1300
Johns Creek Chief Judge Donald Schaefer Suite 1065 315 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue Decatur, GA 30030 404-658-6919/F 658-7125 starschaefer@aol.com
Judge Edward Scott Carter 3508 Broad Street Chamblee, GA 30341 678-467-4153 scottc44@juno.com

Judge Michael Penn 11625 Rainwater Drive, Suite 350 Alpharetta, GA 30004 770-500-3000/F 500-3001
Plains Judge William D. NeSmith, III PO Box 1043 Americus, GA 31709 229-924-1900/F 928-1250
Rincon Delete: Judge Tom Edenfield
Add: Judge Grady K. Reddick 125 E. Ogeechee Street PO Box 1923 Sylvania, GA 30467 912-564-7821/F 564-7844 gkreddick@alltel.net
Superior Court Clerks
Washington County Joy H. Conner 132 W. Haynes Street PO Box 231 Sandersville, GA 31082-0231
Court Administrators
Municipal Court of Marietta Pamela G. Allen 240 Lemon Street Marietta, GA 30060 770-794-5407/F 794-5424 pallen@mariettaga.gov
Official Court Reporters
Delete: Natalie S. Camp
Carolyn B. Templeton 770-387-5130
Add: Kathy Wiggins 1401 Crystal Hills Drive Athens, GA 30603 706-319-7987

8 Georgia Courts Journal December 2007

Have Directory corrections? Fill out the "Address Corrections/Personnel Change" Form. Fax to 404-651-6449 or mail to AOC.

Did You Know?
Georgia's Municipal Courts...
400 courts with 385 judges (80 serve multiple courts) 72 serve as magistrate judges 14 serve as probate judges
30 serve as juvenile judges
Source: Municipal Courts Judges Bulletin, Fall 2007

Courthouse Spotlight
Greene County
County Seat: Greensboro Built: 1849 Judicial Circuit: Ocmulgee
Administrative Office of the Courts 244 Washington Street, SW, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334