February 2007 Journal A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia Judges & Journalists Swap Roles in Workshop This wasn't your usual courtroom scenario: A threejudge ing together judges and journalists on October 4, 2006, at the State Bar Building in Atlanta. panel sat for a Judge Terry routine sentenc- Ruckreigle, Chief ing hearing. Judge of the Fifth Neither the Judicial Circuit, lawyers or Breckenridge, judges were as Colorado, and Mr. confident as Mark Curriden, those in attendance might AJC reporter Bill Rankin pleads the case in journalist/lawyer, front of a three-judge panel. acted as moderators expect. An audience full of "eager for the workshop. reporters" hastily scribbled notes as A number of Georgia judges and the hearing proceeded. Two modera- journalists were invited to partici- tors helped move the proceedings pate in the one-day workshop to along when the hearing slowed promote an exchange of ideas and down. discussion about the NOT your role of the courts typical sentenc- and the role of the ing hearing, this media in covering was a role- the courts. reversal exer- During 2006, cise which similar workshops placed real were held in Alaska, journalists play- Maryland, ing the parts of judge, attorney, defendant, or Judge Jack Partain, Conasauga Judicial Circuit, and Chief Judge Doris Down, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, write their accounts of court proceedings. Mississippi, Nebraska, Guam, and the Virgin witness. Those "attentive reporters" Islands. in the crowd were judges. Ms. Billie Bolton, The Reynolds National Center AOCAssistant Director for for Courts and Media and the Communications, was the local Supreme Court of Georgia spon- coordinator for the event. sored the one-day workshop bring- See page 5 for list of workshop participants. State of the Judiciary: "Solid, Sound, and Stable" -- Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears "The people of Georgia seem to cherish the wisdom of separation of powers. And they have shown time and again that they also believe that a sense of fairness, justice, and impartiality must be woven into the fabric of everyone who would call themselves a judge. It is fundamental. It is compelling. It is not negotiable. And it is nonpartisan." See "State of Judiciary" pg 4 INSIDE People, Places & Events pg 2 State of Judiciary pg 4 South American Visitors pg 5 Election Results pg 6 Gov. Perdue Swears in Appointments pg 7 Spotlight: Supreme Court Commissions/Committees pg 8 Directory Corrections pg 10 2 Georgia Courts Journal February 2007 People, Places and Events ... In Memoriam F Chief Judge Herbert E. Kernaghan, Juvenile Courts, Augusta Judicial Circuit, died on November 13, 2006, of a heart attack. Judge Kernaghan had served in the US Army and earned his law degree from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law. F Judge Emeritus James Edward Slaton of Augusta died on November 21, 2006. Judge Slaton served as judge of the State Court of Richmond County from 1979 to 1984. Judge Slaton enlisted in the Army in 1939, serving during World War II and the Korean Conflict. After 32 years, he retired with the rank of Brigadier General. He earned his JD from Augusta Law School and was a graduate of the National Judicial College. F Former Judge John Sammons Bell of Fernandina Beach, Florida, died on December 8, 2006. In 1960, Judge Bell was appointed to the Court of Appeals of Georgia by Gov. Ernest Vandiver, serving as Chief Judge from 1969 until Judge John Sammons Bell his retirement in 1979. Judge Bell was a Major in the US Army during World War II, earn- ing both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He earned his law degree from Emory University after returning from action in the Pacific Theater. F Former Judge Robin Nash of Decatur died suddenly January 11, 2007. Judge Nash was appointed to the Juvenile Court of DeKalb County in 1995 and retired in 2005 after serving as Chief Presiding Judge. He was a graduate of Emory University School of Law and, at the time of his death, served as director of the Barton Child Law & Policy Clinic at Emory. F Former Supreme Court Justice Jesse Bowles of Cuthbert died on January 28, 2007. Justice Bowles was appointed to the court in 1977 and resigned in 1982 to enter private practice. He retired in 2002 after 56 years of practice. Appointments F On January 2, 2007, Judge Tommy J. Smith was sworn-in as State Court Judge of Toombs County by Gov. Sonny Perdue. Judge Smith fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Malcolm Bryant. F The US Senate voted January 30, 2007, to confirm the nomination of US Attorney Lisa Godbey Wood as judge of the US District Court, Southern District of Georgia. Judge Wood fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Dudley H. Bowen, Jr. who assumed senior status after 25 years on the bench. F On January 19, 2007, Judge Benjamin Allen, Judge Pamela S. James, Judge Jennifer S. McKinzie, and Judge Willie Saunders were appointed to the Juvenile Court of the Augusta Judicial Circuit by that circuit's superior court judges. The death of Chief Judge Herbert Kernaghan led to these appointments. F On January 25, 2006, Judge Anthony Baker was appointed to the Juvenile Court of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. The full-time position became vacant when Judge Ellen McElyea was appointed to the Superior Court. F See page 6 for recent election results. Resignation F Judge Albert E. "Gene" Wells, Probate Court of McDuffie County, stepped down from the bench citing health concerns. Chief Clerk Valerie Burley has assumed the duties as Probate Judge. People, Places and Events ... cont. February 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 3 Court of Appeals Centennial F The Court of Appeals of Georgia celebrated its centennial anniversary on October 6, 2006. A crowd of nearly one thousand attended the event held at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Judge William R. Wilson, Jr., US District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, was the featured speaker at the event. Awards F Judge Melodie Clayton, State Court of Cobb County, received the Ogden Doremus Award presented by the Council of State Court Judges on October 12, 2006, in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Judge Melodie Judge Clayton has Clayton served on the Cobb County Bench since her election in 1992. F On November 15, 2006, Judge Betty Cason, Probate Court of Carroll County, received the Outstanding Constitutional Officer of the Year Award. The award was presented in Savannah at the annual meeting of the Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia. F On January 23, 2007, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, Supreme Court of Georgia, was honored by the State Bar of Georgia Women and Minorities in the Profession Committee with its 2007 Commitment to Equality Award. This award recognizes the efforts of lawyers and legal employees who are committed to providing opportunities that foster a more diverse legal profession for women and lawyers of color. F Senior Judge Marvin H. Shoob, US District Court, Northern District of Georgia, was awarded the Weltner Freedom of Information Award on January 27, 2007 by the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. F Justice Robert Benham, Supreme Court of Georgia, has been named a 2007 Notable Georgian by Georgia Trend Magazine. From the Clerk of the Supreme Court... F The Supreme Court now has wireless Internet connectivity in the Clerk's office, lawyers lounge, and Judicial Conference Room. The network is called Jban (Judicial branch appellate network). The public access portion of the network is called JbanPublic. There is no security protocol to attach to the public access network. From the Clerk of the Court of Appeals... F As of October 26, 2006, the offices of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals have a new location. The new address is Suite 501, 47 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30334. The new mailing address should be used for all correspondence to the judges of the Court of Appeals. Phone numbers for the Clerk's office and judges' offices remain the same. Judge Miller Attends World Court Seminar F Judge M. Yvette Miller, Court of Appeals of Georgia, was among 20 judges from the United States who participated in the Sir Richard May Seminar on International Law and International Courts in The Judge M. Yvette Miller Hague, Netherlands. The seminar, held on September 23-30, 2006, was conducted at the Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice (commonly known as the "World Court") Speaking Engagement F Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears will deliver the Thirteenth Annual Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. Lecture on State Courts and Social Justice at New York University Law School on February 22, 2007. 4 Georgia Courts Journal February 2007 State of the Judiciary: "Solid, Sound, and Stable" Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears delivered her second State of the Judiciary responded by creating programs which strive to alleviate such problems. She pointed out that the devel- Address on January 24, 2007 before opment of accountability courts, a joint session of the Georgia business courts, drug courts, etc., General Assembly. have helped to ensure Justices of the access to civil justice for Supreme Court and all in today's society. judges of the Court of Appeals, granted Drug Courts entrance on the floor Mr. Rodney Hewatt, of the special ses- a successful participant in sion, were greeted Judge George Kreeger's with a round of Cobb County Adult Drug applause from the Treatment Program, attend- assembled Senators ed the event as an example and Representatives. of the positive impact of Solid, Sound, and Stable Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears delivers the State of the Judiciary Address. drug courts for individual Georgians. The Chief Justice began her Children, Marriage & Family message by noting, "the state of the In addition to speciality courts, judicial branch of government in Chief Justice Sears called attention Georgia remains solid, sound, and to the work of the Supreme Court stable." Committee on Civil Justice which is She touched on many issues fac- working on ways to close the legal ing the judiciary including: drugs, services gap in the state. violence, and family. Courts have The Chief Justice gave special emphasis to the importance of the newly-created Commission on Children, Marriage, and Family Law. Justice Sears noted that the troubling toll on children created by the rising divorce rate in the state is of great concern to the state's trial court judges. "Inadequate resources and a lack of expertise often hamper even the best efforts on the part of judges to address Georgia's domestic relations case problems." The Chief Justice told the legislators: "We can and must do everything we can to strengthen our families because it is the best way we have to facilitate responsibility, ensure equality, and shape self-governing citizens who may never need to see the inside of a court of law." The full text of the Chief Justice's remarks can be found at www.gasupreme.us "School Tool" Poster Popular with Judges and Educators Welcome to Georgia's Court System" is a hot item among judges and educators. The first printing of 5,000 copies was quickly exhausted, and a second printing has been run. All told, nearly 12,000 copies of the poster have been distributed to judges, court officials, middle schools, high schools, and an Atlanta-area technical university. Comments From Educators: Thank you for supplying us with posters. We appreciate you supporting teachers, students & GA education. Very nice! These will be a great addition to my GA History classes. From Judges: What a wonderful tool to take to school presentations! Thanks! Great posters -- simple -- pertinent -- well executed. Great idea! Long time coming! Copies are still available. To find out more information, contact Ms. Ashley Stollar at 404-656-6783 or e-mail stollara@gaaoc.us South American Visitors Judges, lawyers, clerks, and court administrators from the Brazilian state of Pernambuco spent two weeks in Georgia studying judicial administration through a program conducted by the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education. On December 1, 2006, the Brazilian contingent, as well as one judge from neighboring Guyana, toured the offices of the Administrative Office of the Courts in Atlanta. Mr. David Ratley, AOC Director, discussed the history of Georgia's judicial branch and the formation of the agency. A Question and Answer session was conducted with members of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals including, Justice Harris Hines, Supreme Court of Georgia; Chief Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., and Chief Justice Fausto Valenca de Freitas, Supreme Court of Pernambuco, (far right) presented gifts of appreciation to Ms. Tee Barnes, Mr. Bill Martin, Justice Harris Hines, Presiding Judge JD Smith, and Chief Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. (not pictured). Members of the Brazilian judiciary met with court administrators and judges during their two weeks in Georgia. Presentations were given outlining each division's function within the AOC and the day-to-day work employees accomplish for judges, administrators, and the public. The Brazilian Pernambuco (in green) is home to nearly 8 million people and was founded in 1620 by Portugal. judges also met with representa- tives of the state's appellate courts during their time in Atlanta. Presiding Judge J.D. Smith, Court of Appeals of Georgia; Ms. Tee Barnes, Supreme Court Clerk; and Mr. William H. Martin, Court of Appeals Clerk and Court Administrator. The Institute of Continuing Judicial Education hosts international groups several times a year with its Judicial Administration program. For more information, contact Mr. Rich Reaves, ICJE Director, at 706542-5150. February 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 5 Judges & Journalists Workshop Judicial Attendees: Those in attendance included: Chief Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes and Judge Herbert Phipps, Court of Appeals of Georgia; Chief Judge Doris Downs and Judge Constance Russell, Atlanta Judicial Circuit; Judge Jack Partain, Conasauga Judicial Circuit; Judge C.J. Becker, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit; Judge Joe Iannazzone, State Court of Gwinnett County; Judge Jeannette Little, State Court of Troup County; Judge Peggy Walker, Juvenile Court, Douglas Judicial Circuit; Judge Tom Rawlings, Juvenile Court, Middle Judicial Circuit; Mr. Rick Diguette, Public Information Officer, Supreme Court of Georgia; Ms. Billie Bolton, AOC Assistant Director for Communications. Media Attendees: Mr. Bill Rankin and Mr. Bill Torpy, Atlanta JournalConstitution; Ms. Alexis Scott, Atlanta Daily World; Ms. Alyson Palmer, Fulton Daily Report; Ms. Sandy Hodson, Augusta Chronicle; Mr. Bret Bell, Savannah Morning News; Ms. Liz Jarvis Fabian, Macon Telegraph; Mr. Mike Gellatly, Rome News-Tribune; and Mr. Walter Jones, Morris News Service; Ms. Katie Woods, Attorney. 6 Georgia Courts Journal February 2007 Superior Court Retirements Longest-serving Superior Court Judges Retire With a combined 79 years of judicial experience between them, the state's two longest serving superior court judges retired on December 31, 2006. Chief Judge Walter C. McMillan, Jr., was appointed to the Middle Circuit by Gov. Carl E. Sanders on December 8, 1966. Augusta Circuit Chief Judge William M. Fleming, Jr., was appointed by Gov. Lester Maddox on May 8, 1968. Judge McMillan and Judge Fleming have assumed senior status. Other Retirements: Chief Judge William H. Craig, Flint Circuit, who was elected to office January 1, 1983, has assumed senior status. Chief Judge Hugh Stone, Enotah Circuit, was appointed on August 10, 1992, by Gov. Zell Miller. Assumed senior status. Judge Albert Rahn, III, Atlantic Circuit, took office January 1, 1995 after running for election. Assumed senior status. Chief Judge Steve Boswell, Clayton Judicial Circuit, was elected and took office January 1, 2003. He has entered private practice. New Chief Judges The following judges became Chief Judges on January 1, 2007: Judge Carlisle Overstreet, Augusta Circuit; Judge Matthew O. Simmons, Clayton Circuit; Judge S. Lark Ingram, Cobb Circuit; Judge David E. Barrett, Enotah Circuit; Judge Arch McGarity, Flint Circuit; Judge Bryant Culpepper, Macon Circuit; Judge Kathy Palmer, Middle Circuit. Chief Judge Tommy Day Wilcox, Macon Circuit, was appointed October 15, 1981, by Gov. George Busbee. Assumed senior status. 2006 Judicial Election Results The following superior and state court judges were elected to four-year terms. They took office January 1, 2007. AG Opinion OFFICIAL OPINION Sale of real estate images in possession of the clerks of superior court prohibited. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority is not empowered to contract to sell real estate images that are in its possession that are records of the clerks of superior court. (10/16/06 2006-5) Superior Court Judge D. Jay Stewart Atlantic Judicial Circuit; Judge J. David Roper Augusta Judicial Circuit; Judge Geronda V. Carter Clayton Judicial Circuit; Judge Lynn Alderman Enotah Judicial Circuit; Judge Brian Amero Flint Judicial Circuit; Judge Tilman E. "Tripp" Self Macon Judicial Circuit; Judge Bobby Reeves Middle Judicial Circuit; Judge Bill Reinhardt Tifton Judicial Circuit. State Court Judge Carlton Vines State Court of Chattooga County; Judge Hugh McCullough State Court of Tattnall County. February 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 7 Gov. Perdue Swears-in New Appointees On January 2, 2007, and January 4, 2007, Gov. Sonny Perdue administered the oath of office to new judges. Judge Jack Kirby, Coweta Judicial Circuit Judge Katherine Lumsden, Houston Judicial Circuit Judge Tommy J. Smith, State Court of Toombs County Judge Ellen McElyea, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit Judge Ken Vinson, Paulding Judicial Circuit Judge John Doran, Jr., State Court of Gwinnett County 8 Georgia Courts Journal February 2007 Spotlight: Supreme Court Commissions & Committees Access and Fairness Committee Sponsors "Color of Justice" Program Fifteen students from Atlanta's D.M. Therrell High School magnet program gathered on featured minority judges, lawyers, and court administrators relating their individual journeys in pursuit a Saturday morn- of legal careers. ing recently to Sessions such as Law learn about legal as a Career: careers. The Preparing the Way; Color of Justice Color of Justice: A program, spon- Panel Discussion; sored by the and Getting Real National Association of Therrell High School students listen to panelists discuss the pursuit of a legal career. with the Bench and Bar were offered. Woman Judges, Later students and was hosted locally by the law firm panelists gathered for an informal of Powell, Goldstein, LLP, and the lunch and further discussion. Georgia Judges who partici- Committee on pated included: Access and Judge Alford Fairness in the Dempsey, Atlanta Courts Judicial Circuit; (GCAFC). Judge James Bass, The four- Eastern Judicial hour session, held at Georgia State University College of Law, Panelists (l - r) Judge James Bass; Judge R. Joy Walker; Judge Nelly F. Withers; former Judge Nina Radakovich; and Judge Al Wong. Ms. Stephanie Chambliss (background) acted as moderator. Circuit; Judge Al Wong, State Court of DeKalb County; Chief Judge R. Joy Walker and Judge Nelly F. Withers, Recorder's Court of DeKalb County; Judge Berryl Anderson, Magistrate Court of DeKalb County; and former Atlanta City Court Judge Nina Radakovich. In April 2007, a Color of Justice program will be held in Albany with four area high schools invited to participate. For more information about the Color of Justice program, contact Ms. Silvia Gaines, GCAFC Program Manager, at 404-463-3927. Other GCAFC News Ms. Stephanie Chambliss, formerly GCAFC Program Manager, has accepted the position of Assistant Director for Regulatory Services with the Administrative Office of the Courts. Presiding Justice Carol W. Hunstein, GCAFC Chair, recently named Ms. Silvia Gaines as the new Program Manager. Commission on Marriage, Children, and Family Law The Chief Justice's Commission on Marriage, Children, and Family Law held its first meeting on December 11, 2006. In attendance were judges, lawyers, civic leaders, members of the business community and public. The Commission will function through two committees: the Advisory Committee on Healthy Families, and the Committee on Justice for Children (formerly the Child Placement Project). The Commission's next meeting is scheduled for March 16 in Atlanta. Save the Date June 12, 2007 Judicial Council Meeting Jekyll Island Club Hotel For more information call Ms. Terry Cobb at 404-656-5171. February 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 9 Spotlight: Supreme Court Commissions & Committees Jury Composition Committee The Jury Composition Committee of the Supreme Court of Georgia met on January 26, 2007 in Atlanta to hear a report on the work of Applied Research Services, Inc. The committee Justice Hugh has contracted with Thompson chairs ARS to conduct a Jury Source List the Jury Composition Committee Validation project. Funding for the project is primarily through a grant from the Georgia Civil Justice Foundation. The Committee, created by the Supreme Court of Georgia in 2003 and currently chaired by Justice Hugh Thompson, is seeking a defen- sible methodology for compiling Services and voter registration lists jury lists to replace the "balanced for a five county sample of the state. box" method now in use. State law The five counties represented rural, requires jury lists to be updated suburban, and urban areas. Dr. Speir every two years. This allows for out- will make a more comprehensive dated information to remain report to the committee at its next (deceased persons, those who have meeting on June 8, 2007. moved away) and does not account New members joining the com- for movement into a jurisdiction or mittee for the January meeting those newly-eli- included: Ms. Patricia gible for jury Baker, Cherokee service. County Superior Court Dr. John C. Clerk; Ms. Sara L. Speir, principal Crow, Lowndes researcher, County Superior Court described his Clerk; Ms. Linda T. methodology in Miller, Clayton analyzing data County Superior Court obtained from the Department of Driver Dr. John C. Speir, principal researcher for Clerk; and Ms. Billie Applied Research Services, Inc., describes his Bolton, AOC Assistant methodology in the Jury Source List Validation project. Director. AOC News F On January 1, 2007, Ms. Yolanda Lewis became the AOC's Assistant Director for Judicial Liaison. She previously worked with the Research Section of the AOC. F On December 1, 2006, Mr. Kevin Tolmich was promoted to Assistant Director for Planning in the Planning and Research Division. Mr. Tolmich previously held the position of Budget Officer and has been succeeded by Mr. Mark Seymour. Commission Conducts Training Seminars for New Child Support Guidelines When the new Child Support Guidelines went into effect on January 1, 2007, a judge or attorney using the new Child Support Services' calculator had probably already been trained thanks to the Child Support Commission. From mid-September until December, Ms. Jill Radwin, Staff Attorney of the Child Support Commission, conducted 40 seminars, training approximately 725 judges, judicial staff, attorneys, and mediators across Georgia. Many of the trainings were held at local technical colleges and larger courthouses where computer labs were available for hands-on learning. On October 14, 2006, a training, was held at Griffin Tech which included participation of 190 attorneys. Judge Chris Edwards, Griffin Judicial Circuit, was instrumental in facilitating this event. For more information regarding training opportunities, please contact Ms. Jill Radwin at 404-463-1849. 10 Georgia Courts Journal February 2007 Courts Directory Corrections *Newly elected or appointed judges. SUPERIOR COURT Atlantic Circuit Judge D. Jay Stewart* PO Box 280 Reidsville, GA 30453 478-537-6393 (formerly Solicitor-General) Augusta Circuit Judge J. David Roper* 530 Greene Street, Suite 312 Augusta, GA 30911 706-821-2359 Blue Ridge Judge Ellen McElyea* 90 North Street, Suite 260 Canton, GA 30114 678-493-6240/F 493-6244 emcelyea@cherokeega.com (formerly Juvenile Court) Clayton Circuit Geronda V. Carter* Harold R. Banke Justice Center 9151 Tara Boulevard Jonesboro, GA 30236 Coweta Circuit Judge Jack Kirby* Coweta Justice Center 72 Greenville Street Newnan, GA 30263 770-253-8175 Dublin Circuit Chief Judge H. Gibbs Flanders 478-272-0061/F 275-9180 Enotah Circuit Chief Judge David E. Barrett 114 Courthouse Street, Box 2 Blairsville, GA 30512 706-439-6100/F 439-6099 debarrett55@yahoo.com Judge Lynn Alderman* 59 S. Main Street, Suite K Cleveland, GA 30528-4501 706-865-6135/F 865-2682 (formerly Juvenile Court) Flint Circuit Judge Brian Amero* Superior Court, Flint Judicial Circuit One Courthouse Square McDonough, GA 30253 Houston Circuit Judge Katherine Lumsden* 201 N. Perry Parkway Perry, GA 31069 Macon Circuit Judge Tilman E. "Tripp" Self* 308 Bibb County Courthouse Macon, GA 31201 Middle Circuit Judge Bobby Reeves* PO Box 1347 Swainsboro, GA 304041 478-237-6191 Paulding Circuit Judge Ken Vinson* 11 Courthouse Square, Room 207 Dallas, GA 30132 678-363-3905/F 363-3907 Piedmont Circuit Judge Joseph H. Booth 706-387-6392 Tifton Circuit Judge William Reinhardt* PO Box 806 Tifton, GA 31793 229-386-7906 Delete: Judge Rusty Simpson STATE COURT Chattooga County Add: Judge Carlton Vines* State Court of Chattooga County P.O. Box 408 Summerville, GA 30747 Delete: Judge Samuel Finster Effingham County Judge Ronald K. Thompson rkthompson@effinghamcounty.org Gwinnett County Judge John F. Doran* Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center 75 Langley Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30045-6935 Henry County Judge Ernest D. Blount 770-288-7377/F 288-7687 Judge James T. Chafin, III 770-288-7367/F 288-7688 Judge Ben Studdard, III 770-288-7356/F 288-7686 Tattnall County Add: Judge Hugh J. McCullough* State Court of Tattnall County 406 North Caswell Street P.O. Box 39 Glennville, GA 30427 Delete: Judge B. Daniel Dubberly Toombs County Add: Judge Tommy J. Smith* 404 Durden Street Vidalia, GA 30474 912-537-3030 Delete: Judge Malcolm F. Bryant, Jr. JUVENILE COURT Augusta Circuit Add: Judge Benjamin Allen 1127 Laney-Walker Boulevard Augusta, GA 30901 706-724-7023/F 722-2095 Add: Judge Pamela S. James PO Box 1547 Augusta, GA 30903-1547 706-722-2014/F 722-7552 Add: Judge Jennifer S. McKinzie 2820 Hillcreek Drive, Suite A Augusta, GA 30909 706-650-2100/F 650-2331 February 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 11 Courts Directory Corrections JUVENILE COURT Augusta Circuit cont. Add: Judge Willie Saunders 411 Telfair Street Augusta, GA 30901 706-828-7808/F 722-8599 PROBATE COURT Clayton County Judge Pam Ferguson pam.ferguson@co.clayton.ga.us MAGISTRATE COURT Catoosa County Judge Donald Ray Caldwell Judge Michael Alan Helton Judge Anthony E. Peters Judge Raymond Victor Wells, III 877 LaFayette Street Ringgold, GA 30736 Columbia County Add: Judge Connie Holloway 640 Ronald Reagan Drive PO Box 777 Evans, GA 30809 706-868-3316/F 868-3314 Judge Doug Nelson PO Box 777 Evans, GA 30809 706-833-1296 Delete: Judge William C. Leopard Judge Jack Farmer DeKalb County Add: Judge Tracy Dorfman 807 DeKalb County Courthouse 556 N. McDonough Street Decatur, GA 30030 Fulton County Judge Divida Gude 100 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 2165 Atlanta, GA 30303 Judge George O. Lawson, Jr. 970 MLK, Jr., Drive, SW, Suite 202 Atlanta, GA 30314 404-522-6964 Judge Barry Zimmerman 6376 Spalding Drive Norcross, GA 30092 Habersham County Delete: Judge James Jarrell Heard County Add: Fritz Joh Chief Magistrate Delete: Judge Donna J. Burnham Liberty County Judge Amy L. Owens PO Box 912 Hinesville, GA 31310-0912 912-368-2063 Randolph County Add: Judge Deanna DuVall McDonald RR 1, Box 274-A Cuthbert, GA 39840 229-732-6182/F 732-5635 Delete: Judge Melba Beard Union County Add: Judge Teresa A. Collins 114 Courthouse Street, Suite 10 Blairsville, GA 30512 706-439-6008/F 439-6104 White County Add: Judge Garrison Baker 59 S. Main Street, Suite B Cleveland, GA 30528 706-865-4141/F 865-7738 Delete: Judge Stephanie Jenkins Hulsey Whitfield County Judge Barrett W. Whittemore Judge Sidney D. Baxter Judge Kaye Cope Judge Haynes Henton Townsend 205 N. Selvidge Street, Suite E Dalton, GA 30722 MUNICIPAL COURT Alpharetta Judge Barry Zimmerman 6376 Spalding Drive Norcross, GA 30092 Atlanta Judge Crystal Gaines FAX 404-954-8108 Austell Delete: Judge Pro Tem. Robert L. Whatley (move to Powder Springs) Chatsworth Judge Ron Wilson 706-695-9667/F 517-9770 Darien Judge Samuel G. Oliver PO Box 495 Darien, GA 30315 912-437-4090/F 437-2171 sgolaw@darientel.net Dasher Judge David Sandbach, Jr. 3686 US Hwy 41 S. Dasher, GA 31601 229-559-3146/F 559-3147 sandlaw@surfsouth.com Jackson Add: Judge Wilson Bush PO Box 1155 Jackson, GA 30233 770-775-5377/F 775-1545 Delete: Judge W. Franklin Freeman McDonough Judge Gregory A. Futch Judge Kenneth A. Glenn 40 Atlanta Street McDonough, GA 30253 Peachtree City Add: Judge Stephen D. Ott 380 Stonewall Avenue, W. Fayetteville, GA 30214 770-692-2600 SUPERIOR COURT CLERK DeKalb County Linda Carter 404-371-2836/F 371-2635 SOLICITOR GENERAL Effingham County A. Mark Lee 912-754-2161 New Chief Judge Ushers in Second Century of Court of Appeals of Georgia The Honorable Anne Elizabeth Barnes took the oath of office to become Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia on January 4, 2007. Chief Judge Barnes was introduced by attorney Charles Adams of Fort Valley. Justice Robert Benham administered the oath of office. Speakers at the event included Chief Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr. and Judge M. Yvette Miller of the Court of Appeals, and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher. Judge Herbert Phipps delivered the invocation. Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals were present for the cere- mony, along with many judges from the DeKalb County area, Judge Barnes' family and friends. Justice Robert Benham, left, administers the oath of office to Chief Judge Barnes who is joined by her husband W. Fred Orr II. Chief Judge Barnes is only the second woman to serve as Chief Judge in the court's 100 year history. In 1998, she became the first woman to be elected in a statewide judicial race without having first been appointed to the bench. Prior to her election, she practiced law in Atlanta and Savannah. A DeKalb County native, she attended Georgia State University and University of Georgia School of Law. Please Recycle 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 PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT #1880