Georgia courts journal, Oct. 2008

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia
Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Portrait Unveiling
page 4
October 2008
Judicial Council Actions . . . .pg 1 People & Places . . . . . . . . . .pg 2 Court of Appeals Centennial History . . . . . . . .pg 4 Historic Courtroom Renovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 6 Judicial Council/AOC Mark 35 Years of Service . . . .pg 7 Courts Directory Corrections . .pg 8

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 October 2008

Judicial Council Actions

The Judicial Council of Georgia, August 2008

The Judicial Council of Georgia carried out important business during the summer months, meeting June 3 in Savannah and August 26 in Atlanta.
Judgeship Recommendations
At its August meeting, the Council considered requests for new superior court judgeships. After reviewing statewide caseload data, the Council approved three new requests: Appalachian, Clayton, and Western. New requests and carryovers were ranked by the Council in order of priority:
1. Piedmont Circuit 2. Flint Circuit 3. Clayton Circuit 4. Douglas Circuit 5. Northeastern Circuit 6. Western Circuit 7. Mountain Circuit 8. Southern Circuit 9. Appalachian Circuit 10. Tifton Circuit

Workload Assessment
Chief Judge Joe C. Bishop, Pataula Judicial Circuit, put forward three recommendations from the Workload Assessment Committee:
1. The deadline for receipt of letters requesting an additional judgeship, or the alteration of circuit boundaries shall be the close of business on the deadline date.
2. Letters of request for an additional judgeship or the alteration of circuit boundaries shall be sent to the Chief Judge of each judicial circuit, the Governor, the Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the House.
3. A "revocation of probation" shall be defined, for the purposes of counting cases, as the filing of a Petition for Revocation or the issuance of an order with the signature of the judge concerning Revocation of Probation.
Each motion was voted on and approved by the Judicial Council.

December Meeting
The next meeting of the Judicial Council will be held on Monday, December 8, 2008, at the Marriott Atlanta Gwinnett Place beginning at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at 12:30, prior to the meeting.
Workman Recognized for Service on Board of Court Reporting
On June 3, 2008, the Judicial Council of Georgia recognized Judge Anne Workman, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, for her leadership and vision during her years of service to the Board of Court Reporting. Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears (below) presented the plaque to Judge Workman.

Above: Members of the Judicial Council at the August meeting. See inside back cover for legend.

People, Places, & Events

In Memoriam
Judge Charles M. Gravitt of Jonesboro died on June 3, 2008. Judge Gravitt served as a municipal court judge in Lake City for 13 years; prior to his years on the bench, he was employed by Delta Air Lines for 35 years.
Judge Tommy Walton Ash of Fitzgerald died August 10, 2008. Judge Ash served as Probate Judge of Ben Hill County since 1997.
Judge Robert B. Whatley of LaGrange died on August 10, 2008. Judge Whatley, a 1981 Atlanta Law School graduate, served as Troup County magistrate and municipal court judge of LaGrange, Grantville, and Hogansville.
Judge Alvin A. Bell of Waynesboro died of cancer August 12, 2008. Since 2001, Judge Bell served as Burke County magistrate and as a municipal court judge. Prior to his service on the bench, Judge Bell was a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC for 21 years.
Judge Bill Shingler of Donalsonville died August 13, 2008 as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Judge Shingler, a Woodrow Wilson School of Law graduate, served as judge of the municipal court of Donalsonville.

Senior Judge James B. O'Connor of Chauncey died September 5, 2008. Judge O'Connor served as superior court judge in the Oconee Circuit from 1965 until his retirement in 1980. He served in the US Army, Judge Advocate General Corps, from 1951-1955, achieving the rank of Major.
Appointments
Superior Court On May 19, 2008, Gov. Sonny
Perdue swore-in Judge Michael D. DeVane, Superior Court of Waycross Judicial Circuit. Judge DeVane had served as SolicitorGeneral of Ware County since 1996. He fills the position left vacant after the death of Judge Stephen L. Jackson.
Please note: Judge Stephen L. Jackson was a graduate of the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University. The Courts Journal mistakenly listed him as UGA Law School alumnus.
2008-2009 Georgia Courts Directory Now Available!
Your copy should be on your desk by now. Additional copies are $30, plus shipping costs. For more information, contact Ashley Stollar at ashley.stollar@gaaoc.us

On July 24, 2008, Judge Howard E. McClain, Alapaha Judicial Circuit, was sworn-in by Gov. Sonny Perdue. Prior to this appointment, he served as a municipal court judge. Judge McClain fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Brooks Blitch.
On September 3, 2008, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced his appointment of Judge Wade Padgett, Augusta Judicial Circuit, to replace Judge Duncan Wheale who will retire in January 2008. Judge Padgett currently serves as Chief Magistrate of Columbia County.
State Court On September 26, 2008, Gov.
Sonny Perdue announced judicial appointments for the State Court of Hall County and the State Court of Henry County. Both positions were created by legislation in the 2008 session:
Judge Larry A. Baldwin, formerly Solicitor General of Hall County, joins the state court as its third judge.
Judge Jason T. Harper will serve as the fourth Henry County state court judge. He currently is a partner with Crumbley & Harper, P.C.
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Background photo: Judge Michael D. DeVane takes the oath of office. on May 19, 2008.

3 Georgia Courts Journal October 2008

People, Places, & Events cont.

Prosecuting Attorneys Gov. Sonny Perdue recently
appointed the following prosecuting attorneys:
Ms. Ashley Wright, District Attorney, Augusta Judicial Circuit
Mr. Kevin S. Cauley, SolicitorGeneral, Grady County
Mr. J. Keith Pollette, SolicitorGeneral, Treutlen County
Mr. Joseph Raymond Johnson, Jr., Solicitor-General, Ware County
Judge Peggy H. Walker, Douglas County Juvenile Court, and Judge Berryl A. Anderson, DeKalb County Magistrate Court, have been named to the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Family Violence Department Advisory Committee.
Transitions
Judge James McDonald, Juvenile Court, Western Judicial Circuit, retired on September 30 after 23 years on the bench. Associate Judge Robin W. Shearer has been appointed to succeed Judge McDonald.

On August 5, 2008, Judge Tracy Graham Lawson, Juvenile Court, Clayton Judicial Circuit, defeated incumbent District Attorney Jewell Scott in a runoff election. Judge Lawson will take office as District Attorney on January 1, 2009.
Judge Dwayne Forehand, Probate Court of Dooly County, resigned his position on September 12, 2008, after 35 years in office.
Senior Judge John D. Crosby was elected to the Georgia Senate in a special election held August 26. Judge Crosby served as superior court judge in the Tifton Judicial Circuit for 20 years prior to his 2000 retirement.
Honors
On June 6, 2008, Judge Aaron Cohn, Juvenile Court, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, received the State Bar of Georgia's 2008 Tradition of Excellence Award. Judge Cohn is the nation's longest serving juvenile court judge, having served in that capacity since 1965.

State Bar Seeks Judges for National Mock Trial Competition
The National Mock Trial Competition is headed for Georgia. In May 2009, high school mock trial teams from around the nation will converge on the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta to participate in the annual competition.
For more information on volunteering for a panel or monetary contributions, contact Ms. Stephanie Ricke, High School Mock Trial Coordinator, at 404-527-8779 or mocktrial@gabar.org

Administrative Judges

New Superior Court Administrative Judges have been elected as follows:
Judge Charles Paul Rose, Jr., First District
Judge John D. Allen, Third District
Judge David T. Emerson, Seventh District
Judge Michael C. Clark, Ninth District
Chief Judge Lawton E. Stephens, Tenth District

Law Day

Judge Patsy Porter, State Court

of Fulton County, was joined by

Gov.

Sonny

Perdue,

and

Secretary

of State

Karen

Handel to

Judge Patsy Porter

celebrate Law Day

at the State Capitol on May 1,

2008. The event, sponsored by the

Superior Court of Fulton County

and the Atlanta Bar Association,

included students who produced

posters and videos interpreting the

Law Day theme: The Rule of Law:

Foundation for Communities of

Opportunity and Equity.

Background photo: Judge Howard E. McClain is sworn-in on July 24 , 2008.

Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Honored by

The Court of Appeals of Georgia honored former Chief Judge John H. Ruffin,

Mr. Bobby Lee Cook; Mr. Lendon Gibbs; and Mr. Vernon Jordan.

Judge Ruffin, a Howard University graduate, began practicing law in 1961. In 1986, he was

Jr., on September 11, 2008, with a

Former Governor Roy Barnes

appointed to the Superior Court

ceremony and

bench in the

reception for the

Augusta Judicial

unveiling of his

Circuit. Governor

portrait. Friends,

Zell Miller elevated

family, and col-

Judge Ruffin to the

leagues in the

Court of Appeals in

standing-room

1994. As Chief

only crowd

Judge in 2005-

applauded as Judge

2006, Judge Ruffin

Ruffin's son

was the first

Brinkley removed

African-American

the velvet drape

to hold that posi-

revealing his

tion in the court's

father's portrait.

history. During his

Judge Ruffin's portrait, like those of

Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., (at podium) was applauded by the distinguished speakers who regaled the standing-room only audience with stories of his wit, bravura, and intellectual acumen.

tenure as Chief Judge, he spearhead-

other former Chief

ed the court's

Judges, will hang in the Court of

highlighted Judge Ruffin's career as a Centennial Year Celebration in 2006.

Appeals courtroom.

young civil rights lawyer prior to his

Judge Ruffin serves as a Presiding

Speakers honoring Judge Ruffin

appointment as the first African-

Judge until his retirement on

included Judge Herbert E. Phipps;

American on the Augusta Judicial

December 31, 2008. His successor

Judge John J. Ellington;

Circuit bench in 1986. He com-

will be chosen in the November 4

former Judge Marion T. Pope;

mended Judge Ruffin as a man

general election.

former Governor Roy Barnes;

whose fearless determination opened

Ms. Linda Klein;

doors for African-Americans.

Centennial History Published

The Centennial History of the Court of Appeals of Georgia, 1906 2006, published by Mercer Press, will soon be available. The History chronicles the advent and growth of the state's intermediate appellate court -- from its beginnings as a

three judge court sharing a courtroom with the Supreme Court in the State Capitol to its current twelve member configuration, the history of the court unfolds along with the historical events of the state and the nation.

4 Georgia Courts Journal October 2008

Background photo: Portrait unveiling ceremony for Judge Ruffin.

5 Georgia Courts Journal October 2008

Court of Appeals of Georgia

"It is a long way from Waynesboro, Burke County, Georgia to Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Jack Ruffin
" made that journey with class, excellence, hard work and sacrifice.
Mr. Vernon Jordan, Law School Classmate

"Violence and hatred would have deterred lesser men, but they " did not deter Jack Ruffin.
Governor Roy Barnes -- on Judge Ruffin's
civil rights work

1961 -- Admitted to GA Bar
1986 -- Appointed Superior Court Judge, Augusta Judicial Circuit
1994 -- Appointed to Court of Appeals of Georgia
2005 - 2006 -- Chief Judge, Court of Appeals of Georgia

"He was not always successful
in the courthouse, but he was always successful in raising the consciousness of society
" with regard to civil rights and equal rights.
Judge John J. Ellington Court of Appeals

"Judge Ruffin is best defined by years of service as a lawyer and a judge. He rose to the challenges and obstacles placed " before him. He has earned his place of honor.
Judge Marion T. Pope, Former Chief Judge,
Court of Appeals

Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr.

" " When you're first you have to the best, otherwise there won't be a second or third or thirty-third.
Ms. Linda Klein -- First Woman President, State Bar of Georgia

" " The process of judging is never easy and it is not for the weak or vacillating. It calls for the best and the bravest and Jack Ruffin fits that role.
Mr. Bobby Lee Cook, Distinguished Trial Attorney

Stephens County Courthouse Renovation

Acentury ago Stephens County farmers and townspeople often gathered on the lawn of the stately, brick courthouse during trial recesses

ers and other courtroom technology, security measures and handicapped access. The architectural integrity of the original structure has been carefully reclaimed over the past three

or as a jury deliber-

ated a verdict. Slow

hours might pass

before a court

bailiff would step

out onto the sec-

ond-story porch to

signal that the

judge was calling

the court back into

session. All those

interested made

their way back

The second-floor courtroom under construction.

inside to reclaim

their seats and hear

the proceedings.

Those days, of

course, are gone

never to return,

but the old

Stephens County

Courthouse itself is This mural, painted in the 1930s, was uncovered during the renovation. slowly making a

comeback. In November the citizens of Stephens County will once again gather at the historic courthouse as it reopens following extensive renovation.

years. Craftsmen have painstakingly washed away a century's worth of paint and grime to reveal the original colors and dcor. A mural depicting a pastoral scene was discovered in the

Rededication Ceremony

former county clerk's office; it had

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears will give the keynote address on November 23, 2008 at the rededication of the old courthouse. The spacious, high-ceilinged second floor courtroom will be on view as will the ground floor county offices that are now fitted to accommodate comput-

been painted sometime in the 1930's by a local artist.
Judges of the state court and magistrate court will be housed in the restored building; and soon the courtroom will again echo to the rapping of a judge's gavel as plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers and others take

their places and another court session is brought to order.
On-going Courthouse Construction Projects

Throughout the state many courthouse projects are underway. In the Tenth Judicial Administrative District, construction valued at over $1,000,000 is underway thanks to population growth in in Banks, Barrow, Elbert, McDuffie, Richmond, and Taliaferro

DADE

CATOOSA

FANNIN

UNION

TOWNS

RABUN

WALKER

WHITFIELD MURRAY

CHATTOOGA FLOYD

GORDON
7
BARTOW

9 GILMER PICKENS

LUMPKIN

DAWSON

CHEROKEE FORSYTH

WHITE

HABERSHAM
STEPHENS FRANKLIN
BANKS

HALL

JACKSON

MADISON

HART ELBERT

FULTON

POLK HARALSON

PAULDING

COBB

DOUGLAS
5

BARROW

GWINNETT
4DEKALB

WALTON

CLARKE OCONEE

ROCKDALE

CLAYTON

NEWTON

MORGAN

CARROLL

FAYETTE

HENRY

OGLETHORPE WILKES
10

LINCOLN

GREENE

TALIAFERRO WARREN

MCDUFFIE

COLUMBIA RICHMOND

HEARD

COWETA

SPALDING

BUTTS

JASPER

PUTNAM

HANCOCK

GLASCOCK

TROUP

MERIWETHER
6

PIKE

MONROE LAMAR

UPSON

JONES

BALDWIN

JEFFERSON WASHINGTON

WILKINSON

BURKE

JENKINS

SCREVEN

HARRIS

TALBOT

CRAWFORD BIBB

TWIGGS

JOHNSON

EMANUEL

MUSCOGEE

CHATTAHOOCHEE

MARION
3

STEWART

WEBSTER

TAYLOR MACON
SCHLEY SUMTER

PEACH HOUSTON BLECKLEY

8LAURENS

TREUTLEN

CANDLER

BULLOCH

EFFINGHAM

MONTGOMERY

DOOLY

PULASKI

DODGE

WHEELER

CRISP

WILCOX

TELFAIR

TOOMBS

EVANS

TATTNALL

BRYAN CHATHAM LIBERTY

QUITMAN

TERRELL

LEE

RANDOLPH

CLAY

CALHOUN DOUGHERTY

EARLY MILLER

BAKER

2

MITCHELL

SEMINOLE

DECATUR

GRADY

TURNER

WORTH

TIFT

BEN HILL IRWIN

COLQUITT

BERRIEN COOK

JEFF DAVIS APPLING

COFFEE

BACON

1

LONG

WAYNE

McINTOSH

ATKINSON

PIERCE

WARE

BRANTLEY

GLYNN

THOMAS

BROOKS

LANIER LOWNDES

CLINCH

CHARLTON

CAMDEN

ECHOLS

Construction throughout the state. Stephens County, in green, will dedicate it's historic courthouse on November 23, 2008.
counties. In other parts of the state courthouses in Dawson, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens, and Sumter counties have building projects. Courthouse renovations are in progress in Chatham, DeKalb, Forsyth, Pierce, Stewart, and Talbot counties.

6 Georgia Courts Journal October 2008

Background photo: Stephens County Courthouse

7 Georgia Courts Journal October 2008

Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts Mark 35 Years of Service

2008 marks the 35th anniversary of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Judicial Council/AOC was established in 1973 to provide support services to the Georgia Courts. Over three decades the agency has

staffed judicial branch commissions and initiated projects intended for the benefit and improvement of the administration of justice. The AOC has carried out research studies, organized meetings and produced publications to assist judges in their daily work, from the appellate courts

AOC Staff Notes

On August 26, 2008,

Mr. Kevin Tolmich has

Ms. Jill Radwin, Child

been named Assistant

Support Commission Staff

Director for Planning and

Attorney, received the

Research. In addition to

Commissioner's Award for

his duties assisting courts

her work on the National

and judicial agencies with

Judicial-Child Support

planning, Mr. Tolmich will

Enforcement Task force.

oversee the Research sec-

tion of the AOC.

Ms. Eden Freeman,

Ms. Eden Freeman, at left,

AOC Assistant Director for with AOC Director David

Grants and Project

Ratley.

Dr. Greg Arnold has been named Assistant

Management, has earned

Director for Statistical

recognition as a Grant Professional

Analysis and Applied Studies.

Certified (GPC) from the Grant

Dr. Arnold will oversee special

Professionals Certification Institute.

study requests on issues that impact

the judicial system and courts

statewide.

Contacting an AOC staff member via e-mail is now easier than ever. Beginning in September, use this simple formula to contact anyone in the AOC: firstname.lastname@gaaoc.us

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

in Atlanta to the smallest county court in the Ocmulgee Circuit.
Take a look at www.georgiacourts.org to learn more about the work of today's Judicial Council/ Administrative Office of the Courts!
Paulding Juvenile Court Selected for National Model Court Project
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) has chosen the Paulding County Juvenile Court as a National Model Court Program. The Paulding County Juvenile Court now joins an elite group of courts recognized for their commitment to improving outcomes for children and families involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings.
The Paulding Court, presided over by Judge Sandra Miller, is an active participant in the Georgia Court Improvement Initiative; a project of the Supreme Court of Georgia's Committee on Justice for Children.
Other sites selected as Model Courts include Austin, TX; Baltimore City, MD; Concord, NH; Hattiesburg, MS; Howell, MI; Lake Charles, LA; and Las Vegas, NV
For more information, contact Ms. Beth Locker, Deputy Project Director, Committee on Justice for Children, at 404-463-5227.

Courts Directory Corrections

Superior Courts
Alcovy Judicial Circuit Judge Eugene Benton F 266-1684
Juvenile Courts
Middle Judicial Circuit Judge Sherri McDonald sherrimcdonald@bellsouth.net
Delete: Judge Susannah L. Brown
Magistrate Courts
Fulton County Delete: Judge Jane Morrison
McDuffie County Judge David B. Moore PO Box 252 Thomson, GA 30824

Municipal Courts
Enigma Add: Judge W. Brent Hyde 15 Jenny Drive Tifton, GA 31793 229-382-0515/F 382-1676
Jonesboro Delete: Judge William West
Add: Judge Steven E. Lister 102 S. Main Street Jonesboro, GA 30236 770-471-9000
Thomson Judge David B. Moore PO Box 1017 Thomson, GA 30824-7645 706-595-1781/F 595-2041
Warrenton Judge David B. Moore PO Box 109 Warrenton, GA 30828 706-465-3282

US Bankruptcy Court
Middle District Chief Judge John T. Laney 706-596-7150/F 649-7871
Solicitor-General
Coweta County Robert Stokely robert@cowetasolicitor.com
Grady County Delete: J. Kevin Chason
Add: Kevin Cauley 732 N. Broad Street, Suite B PO Box 569 Cairo, GA 39828 229-377-1200/F 377-1202
Magistrate Courts Training Council
Delete: Judge Kimberly Warden
Add: Judge C. David Wood, Chair

8 Georgia Courts Journal October 2008

Superior Court Retirements

The following Superior Court judges are retiring December 31, 2008. These positions will be filled by election in November.

Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore, Atlanta Circuit
Judge James R. Tuten, Brunswick Circuit
Chief Judge Kenneth B. Followill, Chattahoochee Circuit
Chief Judge Loring A. Gray, Jr., Dougherty Circuit
Judge Donald B. Howe, Douglas Circuit
Judge William Ralph Hill, Lookout Mountain Circuit
Judge Lindsay A. Tise, Jr., Northern Circuit

Chief Judge Philip R. West, Oconee Circuit
Judge Robert W. Adamson, Piedmont Circuit
Judge F. Larry Salmon, Rome Circuit
Judge J. Richard Porter, South Georgia Circuit
Chief Judge H. Arthur McLane, Southern Circuit
Chief Judge Anne Workman, Stone Mountain Circuit
Chief Judge Gary C. McCorvey, Tifton Circuit

Need to Contact the AOC?
A C Administrative
Office of the Courts
404-656-5171 Atlanta office 478-471-5315 Macon office
www.georgiacourts.org
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Judicial Council
1. Judge Tammy S. Brown; 2. Judge Lillis J. Brown; 3. Judge Anne Workman; 4. Chief Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes; 5. Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears; 6. Presiding Justice Carol W. Hunstein; 7. Judge Doris L. Downs; 8. Judge Tammy Stokes; 9. Judge Connie J. Holt; 10. Judge Richard T. Alexander, Jr.; 11. Judge Stan Smith; 12. Judge Charles Paul Rose, Jr.; 13. Judge David T. Emerson; 14. Judge Robert V. Rodatus; 15. Judge Michael C. Clark; 16. Judge John D. Allen; 17. Judge Ronnie Joe Lane; 18. Judge Melvin K. Westmoreland; 19. Judge Quillian Baldwin, Jr.; 20. Judge Steve Teske; 21. Judge Ronald E. Ginsberg; 22. Judge Lawton E. Stephens; 23. Judge John C. Carbo, III; 24. Judge Stephen S. Goss. Not pictured: Judge M. Yvette Miller.

Courthouse Spotlight
Montgomery County
County Seat: Mount Vernon Built: 1907 Judicial Circuit: Oconee
Administrative Office of the Courts 244 Washington Street, SW, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334