Georgia courts journal, May 2007

May 2007

Journal

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

Bibb Mental Health Court "Opens

its Doors"

Courtroom D of the Bibb County Courthouse was packed when Judge Phillip

address what Judge Brown described as the "revolving door syndrome." A person is arrested and put on med-

Brown officially

ication, after release the

opened the Bibb

person, unable to main-

County Mental Health

tain a treatment plan, is

Court on April 4, 2007.

eventually rearrested.

"People are at our

Mental health prob-

door," Judge Brown

lems reduce a person's

explained to the group

ability "to impact the

of assembled judges,

world," Judge Brown

participating partners,

said. Whether that

advocates, and com-

means maintaining a

munity members in

job, establishing family

attendance.

relationships, reaching

With 15% of the

educational goals, or

nation's prison population diagnosed as having serious mental health issues, some-

"People are at our door." Judge Phillip Brown at the official opening of the Bibb County Mental Health Court on April 4, 2007.

staying on medication. Courts designed to assist people with mental health issues can help.

thing more is needed to

continued page 5

2006 Probate Judge of the Year

The Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia has named Judge Helen Harper of Laurens County as the 2006 Outstanding Probate Judge of the Year. The award presentation was made at the Council's Spring Banquet held in Athens on April 11, 2007.

Judge Helen Harper (left) accepts the award from Judge Mary Jo Buxton, Co-Chair of the Awards Committee.

It's That Time Again!
Your "Green Card" is Coming

Courts Directory Verification postcards are in the mail. Don't miss out on updating your information.
See page 9 for more details.

INSIDE

People, Places & Events pg 2

Calendar of Events

pg 3

Legislation In Brief

pg 4

DUI Court Study

pg 6

Supreme Court

Committees

pg 7

Publications Update pg 8

Directory Corrections pg 10

Supreme Court Visits

Putnam County

pg 12

2 Georgia Courts Journal May 2007
People, Places and Events ...

In Memoriam
F Judge Robert H. Cofer of Thomson died February 7, 2007 of cancer. Judge Cofer served as Chief Magistrate of McIntosh County since 1993.
F Senior Judge Clarence Vaughan of Conyers died March 26, 2007. Judge Vaughan earned his law degree from UGA after service as a Captain in the US Army during WWII.
Judge Vaughan also served in the Georgia General Assembly, both as a State Senator and State Representative, and was instrumental in the creation of the Rockdale Judicial Circuit. He won election as the new circuit's first judge and served as Chief Judge until his retirement in 1999.
F Judge Linwood Slayton of Atlanta died March 27, 2007 of cancer. Judge Slayton, a Fulton County magistrate, began his legal career in 1978 as Director of the Atlanta Neighborhood Justice Center. The Atlanta program was a nationwide model for emerging dispute resolution centers. Judge Slayton served as president of the Gate City Bar Association and vice-president of the National Bar Association.

F Senior Judge Andrew J. Whalen, Jr., of Griffin, died April 10, 2007. Judge Whalen served in the US Army during WWII; he earned his law degree from Emory University in 1950.
Judge Whalen was an early leader of the Judicial Council of Georgia and also chaired the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education.
He served as a superior court judge in the Griffin Judicial Circuit from 1969 until his retirement in 1999.
Appointments
F Judge William B. Swan, Jr., has been named Chief Magistrate of McIntosh County, filling the vacancy left by Judge Robert Cofer's death. Judge Swan was appointed by the Atlantic Circuit's superior court judges.
In Memoriam
F Senior Judge Ogden Doremus of Metter died April 4, 2007, of congestive heart failure. Judge Doremus served as State Court Judge of Candler County from 1985 until his retirement in 2005. A veteran of WWII, he earned his law degree from Emory University in 1949.
Judge Doremus was an early and tireless advocate for the environment. For his work on the 1970 Coastal Marshlands Protection Act, he was honored by the Georgia General Assembly as Georgia's "Mr. Environment" in 1996.

F Mr. Paul Threlkeld has been named Solicitor General of the State Court of Toombs County. Gov. Sonny Perdue announced the appointment on February 2, 2007.
F On April 9, 2007, Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Judge B. Daniel Dubberly as a Senior State Court Judge and Judge Sam T. Dills as a Senior Probate Court Judge.
Transitions
F Fulton County Superior Court Clerk Juanita Hicks retired February 22, 2007 after serving the court 18 years. Chief Deputy Clerk Cathlene Robinson succeeds Ms. Hicks until the expiration of the current term.
In his lifetime, two awards were established in his honor: the State Bar of Georgia Ogden Doremus Award for Excellence in Environmental Law and the Council of State Court Judges' Odgen Doremus Award.
In this 1993 photo, Judge Doremus (left) receives the inaugural State Court Judges Award named in his honor from Former Court of Appeals Judge Marion T. Pope.

People, Places and Events ... cont.

May 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 3

F Ms. Sharon Martin, Irwin County Superior Court Clerk, resigned her position effective January 31, 2007. Ms. Nancy Ross was elected to the post on April 17.
F Mr. Michael Mears, Director, Georgia Public Defender Standards Council, will retire July 1, 2007. Mr. Mears, who practiced law for 30 years and has headed the GPDSC since its inception, will join the faculty of John Marshall Law School in Atlanta.
Honors
F On March 14, 2007, Presiding Justice Carol W. Hunstein received the Shining Light Award from the Atlanta Women's Foundation. Justice Hunstein was selected based on her work with the Georgia Commission on Gender Bias in the Judicial System and her efforts on revising Georgia's child support guidelines.
Past recipients of the Shining Light Award include, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears and Judge Phyllis Kravitch, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
F Mr. Skip Chesshire, Cobb County Superior Court Administrator, was honored on January 24, 2007, by a resolution of the Georgia House of Representatives. HR 64 commends Mr. Chesshire's 20 years of service as a court administrator. He is the current president of the National Association of Court Managers.

30 Years of AOC Service

F Ms. Leslie Johnson was recognized on April 3, 2007, by Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears for her 30 years of service to the Administrative

Office of the Courts. Ms. Johnson began her career on January 27, 1977,

as Clerk of the Board of

Court Reporting, a posi-

tion she held for 25

years.

During that time,

she worked tirelessly to

improve Georgia's court

reporter certification

process and to upgrade

the court reporting pro-

fession.

Ms. Johnson currently staffs the Supreme Court Jury Composition Committee.

Ms. Leslie Johnson, with certificate, is congratulated by Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears along with (from left) Mr. Chris Patterson , AOC Associate Director for Court Services; Mr. David Ratley, AOC Director, and Mr. Michael Kendrick, AOC Assistant Director for Human Resources.

AOC News
F Ms. Cynthia H. Clanton, AOC General Counsel, has been reappointed to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.
F On January 25, 2007, Ms. Jill Radwin, AOC, was honored by the State Bar of Georgia for her work with the Child Support Guidelines Commission. The Joseph T. Tuggle Jr. Professionalism Award was presented to Ms. Radwin by the Family Law Section at the Annual Family Law Convocation on Professionalism held in Atlanta.

Calendar of Events
May 30 - June 1 2007 Drug and DUI Conference
Bridges to Recovery through Accountability
Wyndham Peachtree Conf. Center Peachtree City
June 12 Judicial Council Meeting Jekyll Island Club, Jekyll Island
June 14 - 17 State Bar Annual Meeting Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
August 29 Judicial Council Meeting Atlanta Gwinnett Marriott
Duluth

4 Georgia Courts Journal May 2007
2007 Legislative Session: In Brief

Before leaving town last month the General Assembly authorized new superior court judgeships in the Cobb, Cordele, Dublin, Enotah, and Gwinnett judicial circuits.
Under the provisions of HB 118, Governor Purdue will appoint the initial judges. Terms will begin January 1, 2008 and end December 31, 2008 for the Cordele, Enotah, and Gwinnett judgeships. The Cobb and Dublin judgeships take effect at date of appointment. Successors will be chosen in the November 2008 General Elections.

Travel Allowance for Appellate Judges
HB 120 provides travel allowances for judges of the Court

of Appeals and Justices of the Supreme Court who reside 50 miles or more from Atlanta. Judges are

GSCCCA Court Fee Collection Report

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority has issued collections totals for the six month period June 2006, to December 2006, as follows:

Funds Remitted (i.e., collected & distributed by GSCCCA): . . . . . . .$43,419,713
Funds collected and reported to GSCCCA: . . . . . . . . . $204,701,371
Combined total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$248,000,000

The report shows compliance rates for the eleven separate remittable funds of 95% or above for Superior, State, Probate, Magistrate and Juvenile courts. Compliance rates for municipal courts were only slightly lower at 91% for December 2006.
Compliance rates were similar for the 16 individual reportable funds: above 95% for superior, state, probate and magistrate courts; between 89 and 95% for juvenile and municipal courts.
For more information, contact David Williams, GSCCCA Executive Director, or John Earle, Project Manager, at 404-327-9058.

allowed to claim one round-trip per week from his or her residence to Atlanta.
Local bills
HB 190 provides for the State Court judgeship in Mitchell County to become a full-time position, effective July 1, 2007.
HB 215 creates a second state court judgeship in Clarke County, initial judgeto be appointed by the Governor, for a term beginning July 1, 2007.
For more detailed information contact the AOC Governmental Affairs Division at 404-656-5171 or visit www.georgiacourts.org
`06 Annual
Report
The Georgia Courts FY 06 Annual Report is now available.
The annual report includes trial and appellate court caseload information for Calendar Year 2005.
Call 404-656-5171 to request a copy.

May 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 5

Bibb Mental Health Court cont.

Mental Health Screening
One step in the process is already in place in Bibb County. The Sheriff's office screens incoming inmates for mental health issues. New inmates are evaluated by a counselor from River Edge, a behavioral health center.
An inmate who meets the criteria to participate is notified of the option of Mental Health Court. Each new client is assigned to the treatment team - representatives from the District Attorney's office, caseworkers from River Edge and the Department of Family and Children Services, and the Circuit Public Defender's office. Once a defendant is accepted into the program, a treatment plan is created. Under supervision, the participant usually stays out of jail and over time is able to live independently.
2008 Calendar: Courthouses
of Georgia
Think your courthouse should be featured in next year's calendar? Now's your chance to let us know which courthouses you would like to see in the 2008 calendar.
Contact Ashley Stollar at stollara@gaaoc.us for more information.

Early Goals

criminality. She noted that their par-

In its first year, Judge Brown

ticipation in a Mental Health Court

anticipates the Mental Health Court

may be the first time participants

will accommodate 30 cases. As par-

have any semblance of stability in

ticipants continue in the program

their lives.

and need less supervision, casework-

The Chief Justice also

ers will have the capacity to expand

announced that the Supreme Court

to 110-120 participants.

of Georgia was recently selected by

The archi-

the Council of

tects of the

State

Bibb County

Government's

Mental Health

Justice Center to

Court spent

participate in the

time review-

Chief Justices'

ing the work-

Criminal

ings of the

Justice/Mental

Dougherty,

Health Leadership

Muscogee,

Initiative. This

and Hall County Mental Health

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears joined in the launch of the Bibb County Mental Health Court.

national project is designed to assist state supreme

Courts. An evaluation of the

court justices in guiding efforts to

Muscogee County Court, Judge

improve the response of the criminal

Brown noted, showed an 85%

justice system to people with mental

reduction in recidivism for partici-

illnesses. Chief Justice Sears will

pants and a cost savings of

work with other leaders in state gov-

$800,000. The goal in Bibb County ernment on mental health issues.

is to save twice the amount of the

Chief Justice Sears ended her

court operation costs - about

remarks by expressing confidence

$170,000.

that Mental Health Courts will enjoy

the same success as the Drug and

Special Guests

DUI courts in Georgia.

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears,

Other speakers at the event were

Supreme Court of Georgia, spoke at

Chief Judge Bryant Culpepper,

the opening ceremony underscoring

Macon Judicial Circuit; Bibb

the nationwide support Mental

County Sheriff Jerry Modena; Mr.

Health Courts and other accountabil- Frank Fields, River Edge CEO, and

ity courts are now receiving. Chief

Mr. Lee Robinson, Circuit Public

Justice Sears lauded the community- Defender.

based treatment approach of these

For more information on the

"very important problem-solving

Mental Health Courts, contact Jane

courts" for getting at the root of

Martin at 404-463-4266.

6 Georgia Courts Journal May 2007
DUI COURTS: Study Proves Effectiveness

Success stories of DUI Court participants are well known to judges and others who work

steer participants from past behavior. Goals of the state's DUI Courts include improving public safety and

in these "therapeutic court" settings. reducing crime related to DUI

Now a follow-up study conducted

and/or abuse of alcohol and other

by Applied Research Services of

drugs.

Atlanta provides impressive num-

The average DUI court defen-

bers demonstrating that DUI Courts

dant, a 35 year old white male who

are successful at reducing re-arrest

has at least three DUI convictions, is

rates.

not deterred by traditional DUI

sanctions. Without appropriate inter-

The Study

vention and treatment, chronic

The study reviewed court

offenders continue to drink and

records in three of

drive, endangering

the ten counties operating DUI

STUDY FINDINGS

lives. DUI courts address the alcohol

Courts: Chatham, Clarke, and Hall counties. A total of 647 people

After 12 months: graduates are 3 times less likely to have new DUI arrest

problem head on -- using an integrated approach. Client evaluation, sub-

were monitored -- After 24 months: graduates stance abuse treat-

366 DUI court

are 4 times less likely

ment, community

participants, and

to have new DUI arrest

service and inten-

281 people whose cases were handled through conventional judicial

Graduates are 20% less likely to be arrested
for a new felony.

sive judicial oversight can steer participants away from past behaviors.

processes.

Georgia has

Activity monitored for the study ten counties operating DUI courts,

included new arrests for periods of

the first of which was opened in the

12 and 24 months after disposition

State Court of Clarke County in

of cases: i.e. graduation from a DUI October 2002, followed by Hall

Court program; adjudication for

County in March 2003 and Chatham

non-DUI Court participants.

County in May 2003.

ARS found a significant reduc-

Plans are underway for DUI

tion in recidivism rates among the

Courts in the State Courts in

group that participated in DUI court Rockdale and Fulton counties.

for both 12 and 24 months.

Dawson County Superior Court

recently began a hybrid adult

What is a DUI Court?

felony-DUI Court.

DUI Courts work similarly to

For more information on the

Drug Courts to integrate the use of

ARS study or DUI Courts, contact

treatment, evaluation, community

Jane Martin at 404-463-4266.

service, and judicial oversight to

Where are Georgia's DUI Courts?

DADE

CATOOSA
Conasauga

FANNIN

TOWNS UNION

RABUN

WALKER WHITFIELD

Appalachian

HABER-

Lookout

MURRAY

GILMER

Enotah WHITE

SHAM
Mountain

Mountain Cherokee

CHATTOOGA

GORDON

PICKENS

LUMPKIN

STEPHENS

DAWSON North-

FRANKLIN

BANKS

HART

FLOYD
Rome

BARTOW

CHEROKEE
Blue Ridge

FORSYTH BellForsyth

eastern

HALL

JACKSON

Northern

MADISON

ELBERT

Piedmont

Tallapoosa

POLK

Paulding

Cobb
COBB

FULTON
Gwinnett
GWINNETT

BARROW

HARALSON

PAULDING
DDOoUuGgLlaAsS

Atlanta RoRcOkCKdDalALeE

Stone Mtn.
DEKALB CCtlLoAaYnTyON-

WALTON
Alcovy
NEWTON

CARROLL

FAYETTE

HENRY
Flint

WeCsLAtReKrEn OCONEE MORGAN

OGLETHORPE WILKES

GREENE

Toombs
TALIAFERRO WARREN

MCDUFFIE

LINCOLN COLUMBIA RICHMOND

HEARD

COWETA

Griffin
SPALDING

BUTTS

JASPER

PUTNAM

HANCOCK

GLASCOCK

Augusta

MERIWETHER

Coweta

PIKE

TROUP

Ocmulgee
MONROE
LAMAR Towaliga JONES BALDWIN

JEFFERSON WASHINGTON

BURKE

UPSON

HARRIS

TALBOT

Chattahoochee

MUSCOGEE

CRAWFORD BIBB
Macon

TAYLOR

PEACH

WILKINSON

JOHNSON

TWIGGS
Dublin

LAURENS

Middle
EMANUEL

JENKINS

SCREVEN
Ogeechee

MARION

HOUSTON BLECKLEY

TREUTLEN

CANDLER

BULLOCH

EFFINGHAM

CHATTAHOOCHEE

MACON

Houston
MONTGOMERY

SCHLEY

STEWART

Southwestern

WEBSTER

SUMTER

QUITMAN

TERRELL LEE

RANDOLPH

CLAY Pataula

DOUGHERTY
CALHOUN Dougherty

EARLY

BAKER

MILLER

MITCHELL

DOOLY

PULASKI
Cordele

DODGE

WHEELER

Oconee

TOOMBS

CRISP

WILCOX

TELFAIR

TURNER

BEN HILL

Brunswick
JEFF DAVIS APPLING

EVANS

Atlantic
TATTNALL

BRYAN LIBERTY

LONG

Eastern
CHATHAM

WORTH

IRWIN

Tifton TIFT

COFFEE

COLQUITT

BERRIEN ATKINSON
Alapaha
COOK

BACON

WAYNE

McINTOSH

PIERCE

GLYNN

WARE
Waycross

BRANTLEY

SEMINOLE

South Georgia

DECATUR

GRADY

Southern

THOMAS

BROOKS

LANIER LOWNDES

CLINCH

CHARLTON

CAMDEN

ECHOLS

Judicial Circuit in bold, italicized.
State Courts with DUI Program:
Burke County Chatham County Cherokee County Clarke County Clayton County DeKalb County Forsyth County Gwinnett County
Hall County Troup County

Superior Court with DUI Program:
Dawson County

Planned DUI Courts:
Fulton County State Court Rockdale County State Court

Supreme Court Committees

May 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 7

Committee on Interpreters Rule Change
In March 2007, the Supreme Court Commission on Interpreters initiated a rule change regarding certified interpreters.
The new rule requires all registered interpreters to pass an oral certification exam by January 2009, for the following languages: Arabic, Cantonese, French, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
This rule change was promulgated in an effort to align certification requirements more closely with the National Center for State Courts Consortium for State Court Interpreters.
Registered status will be available only to those who speak a lan-

guage where the NCSC has not developed a standardized test.
For more information, contact Ms. Katherine Cadena, Program Manager, at 404-657-4210 or coi@gaaoc.us
Committee for Justice for Children
The Supreme Court Committee on Justice for Children (J4C), formerly the Child Placement Project, has released its Annual Report for 2006. The report details the history of the committee, goals, key strategies, and profiles of the state's juvenile courts.
The report can be accessed at http://www.georgiacourts.org/agencies/cpp/index.html
For more information, contact Ms. Michelle Barclay, J4C Director, at 404-657-9219.

From the Board of Court Reporting...

Fee Schedule for Official Court Reporters
Effective July 1, 2007, the new rates of compensation for court reporters appearing in court proceedings are as follows:

Per Diem

$231.20 to 8 hours $258.90 to 9 hours $277.43 maximum.

Please Recycle

Looking Ahead: Licensing Renewals On-line
Effective January 1, 2008, a certified court reporter eligible for certification renewal will have the option to process the License Renewal application online. The Board of Court Reporting will maintain a licensing site at www.georgiacourts.org/agencies/bcr.
License renewals by mail will continue to be offered as well.
Contact the Board of Court Reporting by phone 404-656-6422, or by e-mail at bcr@gaaoc.us

Committee on Legal Education
On April 5, 2007, the Supreme Court of Georgia created the Committee on Legal Education to study legal education developments, including alternative forms of legal education.
The 15-member body will be composed of representatives from the Georgia Board of Bar Examiners, the State Bar of Georgia, judges, legal educators, the public, and members of the General Assembly.
Findings and recommendations of the committee will be presented to the Board of Bar Examiners and the Supreme Court. Any revisions to the Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in Georgia regarding educational eligibility or other relevant issues will be proposed by the committee.
The committee will be staffed by the Office of Bar Admissions, 404-656-3490.

8 Georgia Courts Journal May 2007
Publications Update

Courts Journal: The Look is Changing

You might not recognize the Georgia Courts Journal the next time you see it. Over the past 34 years, the Courts Journal has brought you news about Georgia's judiciary, overwhelmingly in black and white.

The past eight years have seen the most change, including a masthead change and the introduction of full color printing in 2004. (See timeline below.)
In July, the Courts Journal will unveil a new magazine-style format

in our continuing effort to enhance the services that the AOC provides the state's judiciary and public.
Your suggestions and comments are welcome. Have an article idea? Call Ashley Stollar at 404-656-6783 or email stollara@gaaoc.us

1978, black and white.

Georgia Courts Journal:

Design Through the Years

1993, a new masthead, no color

1999, A new masthead & highlights in color.

2004, full color.

?
2007. What's in store?

Publications Update

May 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 9

Georgia Courts Directory: Green Cards!

It's hard keeping up with all the comings and goings in court personnel. Just check out our "Courts Directory Correction" feature in most issues of the Georgia Courts Journal, and you can see how quickly things change.
Each year in May, we ask for your help so we can publish the most accurate and complete information in the annual Georgia Courts Directory.
What to Do?
It's very simple. Keep an eye out for your "green" postcard and follow the printed instructions carefully.
Place your removable address label onto the return portion of the postcard. Review your name, title, and address; check the appropriate box (see sample). Write your office phone and fax numbers on the lines provided. If you would like your email address published, write it in. Return the postage-paid portion by June 15 for processing.
What Happens Next?
When your card is received, the information you provide is checked against the information we currently have. Corrections, additions, and deletions will appear in the new Directory.
Address corrections are also entered into the AOC database of court personnel for use by the agency, court councils, and others.

Return Portion of Directory Postcard
* *

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I no longer serve in the capacity listed on the verification postcard. Why should I return it?
A. Notice of staff changes do not always make their way to Atlanta!
This year, look for Box #2 on the return portion to let us know you've moved on. Check Box #2, place your address label in the appropriate space, then mail it.
Q. I serve as a judge in the Probate Court and as Chief Magistrate. Why do I receive two cards?
A. Each class of court is reviewed independently when the Directory is updated.
Having separate cards for each entry reduces the chance of error for

those who have multiple roles. Please review and return all
cards.
Q. What's the production time on a project like the Georgia Courts Directory?
A. About four months, from May to August, are dedicated to producing the new Directory. It will be on your desk in late August.
Contact Ashley Stollar at 404-656-6783 or stollara@goaaoc.us
A Look at the Numbers
2,300 Postcards Mailed 2,647 Names listed in the Directory 3,200 Number of Entries 13 Levels of Court, including Federal 38 Judicial Agencies

10 Georgia Courts Journal May 2007
Courts Directory Corrections

SUPERIOR COURT Atlantic Circuit Judge D. Jay Stewart PO Box 842 Claxton, GA 30417 912-739-4922/F 739-4950
Coweta Circuit Judge Jack Kirby 770-683-0424
Piedmont Circuit Judge David Motes 770-307-3032/F 307-3033
JUVENILE COURTS Atlantic Circuit Judge C. Jean Bolin PO Box 726 Darien, GA 31305 912-437-4402
Assoc. Judge Kimberly Copeland 256 N. Brunswick Street Jesup, GA 31546 912-530-2317
Judge Pro Tem. Kenneth Pangburn 405 Richmond Lane Hinesville, GA 31313 912-368-8623
Blue Ridge Circuit Judge Anthony Baker 90 North Street, Suite 360 Canton, GA 30114
Conasauga Circuit Judge Jim E. Wilbanks PO Box 475 Cohutta, GA 30710 706-694-0055/F 694-2504 (also Municipal Court of Varnell)
Dublin Circuit Add: Judge Pro Tem. Jon F. Helton PO Box 188 Dublin, GA 31040 478-272-1998/F 274-1003
Delete: Assoc. Judge Elizabeth Rutrough

Mountain Circuit Add: Judge Robert Cullifer PO Box 386 Toccoa, GA 30577 706-886-4195
Delete: Judge Joanna Temple
Paulding Judicial Circuit Add: Judge Dean C. Bucci 1387 Industrial Boulevard N. Suite 103 Dallas, GA 30132 770-443-7532/F 505-3867
PROBATE COURTS Rabun County Judge Lillian W. Garrett rabunlaw@windstream.net
MAGISTRATE COURTS Barrow County Judge June Schuenemann Chief Magistrate change name to June Davis
Delete: Judge Monica Hunter Durden
Bleckley County Add: Judge Carolyn P. Martin 112 North Second Street Cochran, GA 31014 478-934-3202/F 934-7826
Carroll County Judge Cynthia M. Dailey 770-830-5874
Clayton County Add: Judge Eunice A. McMurtry 7545 Fielder Road Jonesboro, GA 30236 770-477-3444/F 473-5750
Delete: Judge J. Michael Upton
Clinch County Add: Judge Linda C. Peterson 100 Courthouse Square Homerville, GA 31634 912-487-2514/F 487-5507
Cobb County Delete: Judge Douglas Davis

Fulton County Judge Sterling Eaves 5600 Stonewall Tell Road College Park, GA 30349
Judge Joseph A. Fried 4400 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30319 404-591-1800/F 591-1801 joe@jafpc.com
Judge Roy Roberts 404-730-4245
Delete: Judge Tyrus Atkinson, Jr. Judge George O. Lawson Judge R. David Ware
Franklin County Judge William David Buffington Judge Gladyne R. Davison 7085 Highway 145, Suite B Carnesville, GA 30521
Monroe County Add: Judge Bill Clifton PO Box 974 Forsyth, GA 31029-0974 478-994-7018/F 994-7284
Pierce County Judge Glenda Dowling gdowling@piercecountyga.org
Toombs County Judge E. Kay Stafford, Jr. ekslaw@bellsouth.net
SPECIAL COURTS Recorders Court of DeKalb County Add: Judge Pro Hac Richard Green II 3630 Camp Circle Decatur, GA 30032-1394 404-294-2635/F 377-6720
MUNICIPAL COURT Alpharetta Add: Judge Brian Hansford 327 Dahlonega St., Suite 1703A Cumming, GA 30040 770-889-0846/F 889-9666 (also Milton)

May 2007 Georgia Courts Journal 11
Courts Directory Corrections

Blackshear Chief Judge Kenneth E. Futch 110 Screven Avenue Waycross, GA 31516 912-490-3911/F 490-6323 kfutch@keflaw.com
Byron Add: Judge Laurens C. Lee PO Box 129 Byron, GA 31008 478-825-2060/F 825-1893
Canton Add: Judge David L. Cannon, Sr. 181 E. Main Street PO Box 1207 Canton, GA 30114-1207 770-479-6264/F 720-1770
Chauncey Add: Judge C. Michael Johnson 5414 Anson Avenue PO Drawer 40 Eastman, GA 31023 478-374-4255/F 374-4432 cmjlaw@bellsouth.net
Delete: Mark Straughan
Irwinton Add: Judge Jon F. Helton PO Box 188 Dublin, GA 31040 478-272-1998/F 274-1003

LaFayette Judge Barry C. Hollis 706-638-1026
Locust Grove Add: Judge Donald Patten 102 Club Drive PO Box 116 Stockbridge, GA 30281-0116 770-389-0208/F 474-2602 dpatten@bellsouth.net (also Stockbridge)
Delete: Judge W. Franklin Freeman, Jr.
McIntyre Add: Judge Samuel A. Hilbun PO Box 188 Dublin, GA 31040 478-272-1998/F 274-1003
Midway Judge J.D. Harvey, Jr. 10164 Ford Avenue, Suite A PO Box 1569 Richmond Hill, GA 31324 912-756-4775
Nelson Add: Judge Richard Jones PO Box 100 Nelson, GA 30151 770-235-2211/F 235-3957

On the Move...

Gwinnett County Juvenile Court 115 Stone Mountain Street Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Dawson County Magistrate Court Judge Johnny Holtzclaw Judge Lisa Thurmond 32 Jack Heard Road, Suite 110 Dawsonville, GA 30534

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council As of July 1, 2007 104 Marietta Street, Suite 440 Atlanta, GA 30303
9th District Court Administrator Steve Ferrell PO Box 1319 Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-482-0185/F 482-0187

Rome Delete: Judge Douglas D. Slade
Stillmore Add: Judge Angela M. Magruder 512 Telfair Street Augusta, GA 30901 706-724-6000/F 724-3363 (also Wadley)
Stone Mountain Add: Judge Michael G. Leeper 315 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 700 Decatur, GA 30030 404-373-3989/F 373-3990
Delete: Judge Ronald Ramsey
COURT ADMINISTRATORS
Clarke County Tracy J. BeMent Superior Court Administrator Clarke County 325 E. Washington Street, Suite 400 Athens, GA 30601 706-613-3173/F 613-3174
SUPERIOR COURT CLERK Effingham County Elizabeth Z. Hursey Effingham Co. Judicial Complex 700 N. Pine Street, Suite 110 Springfield, GA 31329
Fulton County Delete: Juanita Hicks Add: Cathlene Robinson
JUVENILE COURT CLERK Polk County Debbie Bright 100 Prior Street, Room 202 Courthouse No. 2 Cedartown, GA 30125 770-749-2151
OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER Jan E. Roberts PO Box 3204 Atlanta, GA 30302 404-730-5053

Supreme Court Visits Putnam County Courthouse

As a part of Putnam County's bicentennial celebra-

Wednesday evening for the Clerks of the Superior Courts of the Ocmulgee

tion, the Georgia Supreme

Judicial Circuit: Ms. Jody

Court heard oral arguments

Moss, Morgan County;

in Eatonton on Thursday,

Ms. Deborah Jackson,

February 28, 2007.

Greene County; Mr. Dan

The court session, held

Jordan, Jasper County;

at the Putnam County

Ms. Sheila Layson,

courthouse, was attended

Putnam County; Mr.

by local judges, attorneys,
The Supreme Court of Georgia heard oral arguments at the Putnam County
citizens, and students from Courthouse.

Leroy Wiley, Hancock County; Mr. Bart Jackson,

local schools. On Wednesday evening, the
local bar association hosted a dinner for the justices of the Supreme Court at Reynolds Plantation. After dinner, Justice Hugh Thompson, from nearby Milledgeville, reminisced on his time as an Ocmulgee

Judicial Circuit superior court judge. Justice Harris Hines presented gifts of appreciation to local attorneys and judges in attendance.
In conjunction with the Supreme Court's visit to Putnam County, the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Ms. Therese Barnes, hosted a dinner on

Jones County; Ms. Rosemary Phillips, Baldwin County; and Ms. Cinda S. Bright, Wilkinson County.
The Supreme Court of Georgia schedules oral arguments outside of Atlanta several times a year.

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