Georgia courts journal, Oct. 2011

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

Judicial Council Recommends Judgeships
story page 1

October 2011
Judicial Council Recommends Judgeships . . . .pg 1
2011 Time and Motion Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 3
People & Places . . . . . . . . . .pg 4
CCJ/COSCA Examine Social Media . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 6
17th Annual Domestic Violence Conference Held . . . . . . . . . .pg 8
The AOC Portal . . . . . . . . . .pg 10
Girardeau Inducted into Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 11

1 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

Judicial Council Recommends Six Judgeships

Judicial Council of Georgia, August 26, 2011. Seated, from left: Judge Cynthia Wright; Judge Louisa Abbot; Judge Mary E. Staley; Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein; Presiding Justice George H. Carley; Judge Rashida Oliver; Judge Mary Kathryn Moss. Second row, from left: Judge Lawton E. Stephens; Judge A. Gregory Poole; Judge John C. Prigden; Judge Alan Harvey; Judge David Emerson; Judge David Darden; Chief Judge John J. Ellington; Judge Mark Anthony Scott; Judge Brenda Weaver. Third row, from left: Judge Frederick Mullis; Presiding Judge Herbert E. Phipps; Judge Ronnie Joe Lane; Judge Martha C. Christian; Judge Arch W. McGarity; Judge Larry B. Mims; Judge Mary Jo Buxton; Judge Todd A. Blackwell. Not pictured: Judge C. Andrew Fuller; Judge Deborah Edwards, Judge Mary T. Cranford.

Workload Assessment
The Judicial Council met twice during the summer months. On July 20, the Council met via teleconference to discuss the results of the 2011 Superior Court Time and Motion Study and new circuit clas-
Cover Photo: (Left to right) Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein and Presiding Justice George H. Carley, Supreme Court of Georgia; Chief Judge John J. Ellington and Presiding Judge Herbert E. Phipps, Court of Appeals of Georgia.

sifications and judge-year values. Adoption of the recommendations of the Judicial Workload Assessment Committee as reported by Judge David Emerson made the new values effective for the judgeship studies under consideration at the August 26 meeting.
Judgeship Recommendations
At its August 26 meeting in Atlanta, the Judicial Council considered recommendations for new superior court judgeships. After reviewing caseload data for the requesting circuits, the Council approved the fol-

Carol W. Hunstein
Chief Justice
Marla S. Moore
Director

Courts Journal Staff
Ashley G. Stollar
Outreach/Communications Specialist II
Maggie Reeves
Outreach/Communications Specialist I

lowing requests in order of priority: 1. Bell-Forsyth (3rd judgeship) 2. Piedmont (4th judgeship) 3. Middle (3rd judgeship) 4. Oconee (3rd judgeship) 5. Western (4th judgeship) 6. Clayton (4th judgeship)
Other Business
Adopted budget requests for the amended FY2012 budget and the FY2013 budget.
Three new members of the Board of Court Reporting were appointed: Judge Richard Kent, State Court of Colquitt County, Ms. Cheryl Griffin, and Ms. Stacey Folds.
Rep. Wendall Willard addressed the Council asking for support to amend the Council of Superior Court Judges Rules concerning Process Servers.
continued pg 2

Judicial Council cont.

Rep. Rich Golick, Chief Justice Hunstein reported, is seeking Judicial Council support for a House Resolution to provide dedicated funding for the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council.

Reports were made on the

work of the Special Council

on Criminal Justice

AOC Staff and Presiding Judge Herbert E. Phipps (right) tally votes.

Reform, Recusal Rules Committee, Commission on Interpreters Rule Amendments, the Proposed Tax Court, and the appellate and trial court councils.

Judge David T. Emerson (Superior Court, Douglas Judicial Circuit), President-Elect, Council of Superior Court Judges.

New Members
The Council welcomed the following new members:

Judge David Darden (State Court of Cobb County), President-Elect, Council of State Court Judges.
Judge A. Gregory Poole (Juvenile Court of Gwinnett County),

President-Elect, Council of Juvenile Court Judges.
Judge Alan Harvey (Magistrate Court of DeKalb County), President-Elect, Council of Magistrate Court Judges.
Judge Rashida Oliver (Municipal Court of East Point), President, Council of Municipal Court Judges.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Judicial Council will be Friday, January 5, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at the Loew's Hotel in Atlanta. 6

2 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

From the Supreme Court...
Code of Judicial Conduct Revised
The Supreme Court of Georgia passed an order amending the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct. The following terms have been added: aggregate, campaign committee, campaign contribution disclosure report, contribution, election cycle, financial disclosure statement, maximum allowable contribution and support. Also, Canons 3E. Disqualification and 3F. Remittal of Disqualification were amended. The full text of the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct can be found at www.georgiacourts.gov. 6

Supreme Court Visits Cobb County
The Supreme Court of Georgia made its first stop to Cobb County in its 166 year history on July 18, 2011. The Justices of the Supreme Court made the 20 mile trip from their Atlanta courtroom to hear two cases in the newly constructed Courthouse in Marietta, GA. Judges of Cobb County's Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, and Magistrate courts were in attendance for the historic event.

3 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

2011 Superior Court Time and Motion Study

Data collection took place for the 2011 Superior Court Time and Motion Study during March 2011, with 147 of 205 superior court judges, representing 46 circuits, documenting time on printed or electronic forms. These 147 judges, along with nine magistrates designated to preside in superior court, submitted 1,562,117 minutes of case and administrative activity data to the AOC.

Superior court clerks in circuits with participating judges were asked to complete a summary report of dispositions for the month of March and submit it to the Council of Superior Court Clerks. The Council compiled data furnished by 126 clerks and forwarded a report totaling 32,742 criminal, general civil, and domestic relations dockets and defendants to the AOC. To ensure a valid calculation, the AOC removed the judge time recorded in

counties for which no disposition data was furnished, and disposition reports for circuits where not all judges recorded time were adjusted proportionally to the number of judges participating.
Based on demographic factors as well as the non-case related time data submitted by judges, circuits were reclassified from three categories into four and were assigned new judge-year values. 6

2011 Time and Motion Study results presented to the Judicial Council on July 20, 2011.

Filing Type

Case Type

Criminal General Civil Domestic Relations

Serious Felony Felony Misdemeanor Unified Appeal Probation Revocation Appeals/Review Contract/Account Dispossessory/Distress Forfeiture Habeas Corpus Non-Domestic Contempt Other General Civil Post Judgment/Garnishment Real Property Title to Land/Condemnation Tort/Negligence Adoption Child Support Enforcement Contempt Divorce/Alimony Family Violence Legitimation Modification aNon-CSE/Custody Other Domestic Support/CustNody

Current Values Recommended Values

Change

(2009)

(2011)

(2009-2011)

324.00 45.71 32.00 7,200.00 24.00 16.36 11.06 30.22
N/A 34.07 15.50 15.18 2.07
N/A 22.37 136.22 68.30
N/A 45.10 48.31 16.41 19.07 52.31
N/A 45.10 47.98

353.79 49.30 13.17 7,200.00 19.34 54.58 15.80 27.02 66.75 134.35 76.57 38.01 3.31 154.20
N/A 125.31 52.51 10.07 26.22 45.92 24.32 32.14 58.03 187.67 11.67
N/A

29.79 3.59 (18.83)
(4.66) 38.22
4.74 (3.20) Category Created 100.28 61.07 22.83
1.24 Category Created Category Deleted
(10.91) (15.79) Category Created (18.88)
(2.39) 7.91 13.07
(See Appendi5x.7A2for circuit classification Category Created (33.43) Category Deleted

The Singale County Suburban Circuit Classification was created and new Judge-Year Values were computed for the 2011 study.
N

Circuit Classification
Urban Single County Suburban Multi-County Suburban Rural

Judge(-SYeeeaAr pVpaelnudeisx(A20fo0r9)circuJitudclgaes-sYifeicaartioVnalues (2011)

1,508 1,458 1,458 1,218

1,511 1,499 1,315 1,309

People, Places, & Events

In Memoriam
Judge Pat Hardaway of Evans died July 15, 2011 after a brief battle with cancer. Judge Hardaway was elected as Judge of the Probate Court of Columbia County in 1980, a position she held until her death.
Former Judge David R. Elmore, Sr. of Savannah died July
27, 2011. Judge Elmore, a University of Georgia Law School graduate, was appointed to the Recorders' Court of Chatham County in 1969 and the State Court of Chatham County in 1980. He retired in 1988. Judge Elmore served in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II.
US District Senior Judge G. Ernest Tidwell of Atlanta died August 4, 2011. Judge Tidwell was appointed to a new seat on Georgia's Northern District by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, a position he held until he assumed senior status in 1999. Prior to his appointment to the Federal Bench, Judge Tidwell served on the Civil Court of Fulton County, 19681971, and on the Fulton County Superior Court, 1971-1979.

Senior Judge Anne Workman of Decatur died September 2,
2011, after a brief battle with cancer. Judge Workman, an Emory Law School graduate, became the first female judge in DeKalb County when she was appointed to the Magistrate Division of Recorder's Court. She was elected to the State Court in 1984 and served as the first female President of the Council of State Court Judges. In 1998 she was elected to the Superior Court bench; she assumed senior status in 2008.
Judge Tarey Schell of Peachtree City died September 7, 2011. Judge Schell presided over the Griffin Judicial Circuit Felony Drug Court. From 1999-2008, he served as Juvenile Court Judge in the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Judge Schell, a graduate of the Georgia State University School of Law, served in the US Army for 26 years, retiring in 1984 with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Mr. Norman L. Stone of Ringgold died September 10, 2011. Mr. Stone became Superior Court Clerk of Catoosa County in 1966. Chief Deputy Clerk, Ms. Fancy Moran has been appointed to serve the remainder of his term.

Appointments

On August 5, 2011, Judge D. Todd Markle was sworn-in by Gov.
Nathan Deal to serve on the Superior Court for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Judge Markle fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Michael Johnson.

Judge Gregory V. Sapp was sworn-in on August 5, 2011 by
Gov. Nathan Deal as judge of the State Court of Chatham County. Judge Sapp fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ronald E. Ginsberg.

Judge Ken W. Smith and Judge Peter J. Rice were appointed Senior Judges of the State Court on July 11, 2011 by Gov. Deal.

Judge Bruce E. Roberts has

been appointed to serve on the

State Court of Walker County.

Judge Roberts fills the vacancy cre-

ated by the retirement of Judge

Donny Peppers.

continued pg 5

4 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

5 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

People, Places, & Events cont.

Mr. Greg Loughlin has been named Executive Director of Georgia Commission on Family Violence.
Retirements

Two District Court Administrators retired over the summer. Mr. John Cowart retired after serving the 2nd District for 26 years. Mr. Greg Jones, 3rd DCA, retired after 10 years.

serving judge in the United States. He will take senior status upon his retirement.
Resignations

Judge Karlton Van Banke, Juvenile Court of Clayton County, retired on June 30, 2011, assuming senior status.
Judge Rachel T. Lord, Probate Court of Washington County, retired on June 20, 2011 after 22 years as Probate Judge.

Mr. Robert Tawse, Houston County Solicitor-General, retired on June 30, 2011. Ms. Amy Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Judge Aaron Cohn, Juvenile Court, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, retired on September 30, 2011. Judge Cohn was appointed in 1965, claiming the title of longest

From the Board of Court Reporting...

Judge Douglas Pullen, Superior Court, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, resigned his position on August 31, 2011.
Honors
On September 24, 2011, Judge James F. Bass, Superior Court, Eastern Judicial Circuit, received the W.W. Law Legacy award by the KingTisdell Cottage Foundation's for his work with Georgia Legal Services prior to his judicial appointment.

Membership

judges, clerks, and court adminis-

New members of the Board of

trators. The first meeting was held

Court Reporting were sworn-in on in Atlanta on September 10.

Friday, September 9. Chief Justice Thirty participants interacted with

Carol W. Hunstein, Supreme

members of the Board of Court

Court of

Reporting

Georgia,

and staff

administered

during the

the oath of

two-hour

office to the

meeting.

new members.

Additional

meetings are

Town Hall

scheduled

Meetings

for October

The Board has begun its first in a series

Chief Justice Hunstein, left, and Board of Court Reporting members Ms. Stacey L. Folds, Ms. Cheryl Griffin, Judge Richard Kent, and Ms. Carol Glazier.

1 in Savannah and

of "Town

November 3

Hall" meetings to discuss matters in Tifton. Plans are underway for

of interest to court reporters,

additional meetings.

Immigration and State Court Initiative
The Center for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) has begun a study of immigration and its affect on state courts in Georgia. CPPS met with stakeholders September 7-8, 2011, to discuss the challenges and solutions associated with immigrants and immigration issues in the courts.
Criminal Justice Reform
The Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform met on September 27, 2011, at the State Offices South at Tift College in Forsyth, GA. Topics that are being considered are evidence-based sentencing with risk assessments and reducing the sentence for misdemeanors to six months. 6

Chiefs and Court Administrators Examine New Media and the Courts at Atlanta Conference

The nation's Chief Justices and state court administrators spent four days in

iPhones and other devices to bring us the first pictures of the earthquake in Haiti, the Virginia Tech massacre or

Atlanta discussing the changing

the tsunami in Japan."

media landscape and its impact on

Echoing Chief Justice Hunstein's

the administration of justice.

remarks, the opening plenary session

At the Conference of

featured a discussion moderated by

Chief Justices/

Texas Chief Justice

Conference of State

Wallace Jefferson, titled

Court Administrators

"The New Media - What

annual meeting July 31-

is It and Why Should We

August 3, the theme was

Care?" Chris Davey, treas-

"A World of Change:

urer of the Conference of

Courts and the Media in

Court Public Information

2011."

Officers, answered by

Chief Justice Carol

explaining that court

W. Hunstein, Supreme

leaders have always had to

Court of Georgia,

be knowledgeable and

opened the program by

conversant in the current

detailing how rapid changes in traditional news media, combined

Chief Justice Hunstein welcomed Chief Justices and State Court Administrators to the three day conference.

communication media because supporting trust and confidence in the

with the rise of social media like

judicial system is a fundamental part

Facebook and Twitter pose both chal- of the judicial process, and the media

lenges and opportunities for courts.

are the main vehicle for fulfilling this

"In the last decade, we have wit-

mandate.

nessed an evolution in our media

Throughout the conference atten-

with the advent of social media, the

dees discussed the benefits and chal-

decline of print journalism, and the

lenges new media has on courts.

leaning of broadcast media toward

In a closing speech to the justices

entertainment and opinion," Chief

and court administrators, Richard T.

Justice Hunstein said. "The revolu-

Griffiths, vice president and senior

tion in technology has led to the

editorial director of CNN, said the

ubiquitousness of news, and to citi-

changes in the media landscape pose

zens themselves playing the role of

"challenges for courts to figure out

journalists with CNN and other net- how to maintain credibility in an

works using the video they shoot on

increasingly skeptical world."

Outgoing CCJ President Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, Supreme Court of Texas,and Incoming CCJ President Judge Eric T. Washington, District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
Mr. William Vickery, center, received the Lifetime Achievement in Court Administration Award from outgoing COSCA President, left, Ms. Lilia Judson, Indiana Director of State Court Administration, Mr. William C. Vickery, and incoming COSCA President Rosalyn Frierson, Director of South Carolina Court Administration.
The Conference of Court Justices elected Chief Judge Eric T. Washington, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, as its president. The Conference of State Court Administrators elected Ms. Rosalyn Frierson, Director of South Carolina Court Administration as it president. 6

6 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

Parts of this article are reprinted with permission from Chris Davey, Director of Public Information, Supreme Court of Ohio.

7 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

NHTSA Report on Georgia DUI Courts

How effective are Georgia's DUI courts? According to a recent report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the evidence is in: Georgia's DUI Courts have "successfully encouraged lifestyle changes for the participating offenders and may be a viable alternative to traditional sanctioning."
The study evaluated DUI Courts in Chatham, Clarke, and Hall counties reviewing data from 2003-2006. During that time, these courts experienced a 79% retention rate indicating that most participants remained in these programs and were motivated to complete it. Offenders who graduated from one of the DUI courts experienced a 9% recidivism rate; terminated offenders experienced a 26% recidivism rate. The report estimates that the DUI courts prevented between 47 and 112 repeat arrests.
Ten years after the first DUI court was created in Clarke County, there are eighteen DUI courts throughout the state.
Access the full report at http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety /Research+&+Evaluation 6
2011-2012 Georgia Courts Directory Now Available!
Your copy should be on your desk by now. Additional copies are $30, plus shipping charges.

What the Judges Say:

Chief Judge Kent Lawrence, State Court of Clarke County: "The research validates the program success staff members have observed over the years working with high risk repeat impaired driving offenders. Accountability courts which adhere to the ten Guiding Principles model are much more likely to experience reduced recidivism, increased public safety for the community, higher retention rates, and be more cost effective. Simply stated, DUI Court pilot courts in Georgia have clearly demonstrated over a four year period that impaired driving court programs WORK!"
Chief Judge Greg Fowler, State Court of Chatham County: "DUI Drug courts require a huge investment of Judges' time, but the outcomes we see in clean and sober, happy, working, law abiding, taxpaying citizens is worth every second."

Chief Judge Charles Wynne, State Court of Hall County: "The results of the NHTSA study of Georgia DUI Courts confirm that DUI Courts work. The success of DUI Courts, as well as Drug Courts and other similar programs, is not only measured in public safety benefits through a reduction in repeat offenses, but is demonstrated through countless examples of participants who have achieved sobriety and become productive citizens and families that have been restored from years of being broken as a result of addiction. These successes come as a result of hard work by a lot of dedicated team members, as well as hard work on the part of the participants themselves."

"Your Guide to the Georgia Courts" is Available!
Call 404-656-6783 for copies in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

Order additional Directories at georgiacourts.gov today!

17th Annual Domestic Violence Conference Held

The Georgia Commission on Family Violence held its 17th Annual Statewide

stakeholders when handling domestic violence cases. Her session also centered on federal firearms restric-

Court, work with community groups, and be involved in many critical Council of State Court

Domestic Violence Conference in

tions, notification, and removal.

Judges committees all to improve

Atlanta on September 12-13, 2011.

Other sessions looked at immigra-

the quality of justice delivered to the

The Conference brought together

tion and domestic violence, proba-

citizens of her community and the

325 domestic violence practitioners,

tion supervision strategies, survivors

State."

including judges, law enforcement,

with mental health issues, racism in

Also recognized at the awards

victim advocates, prosecutors,

luncheon were Ms. Shelley

family violence intervention

Senterfitt, Gender Justice

program providers, and others.

Award; the Cherokee

The theme of the conference,

Domestic Violence Task

"There's No One Solution:

Force, Task Force of the

Integrating Prevention and

Year; and Ms. Angela Tuck,

Intervention Against Domestic

Responsible Coverage

Violence," connected many

Award.

components of ending family

The Georgia

violence in Georgia. Judge

Commission on Family

Nancy Bills, State Court of

Violence (GCFV) is a state

Rockdale County, praised the

agency that was created by

conference saying, "This year's conference surpassed all my expectations. The information

Judge Nancy Bills (center), State Court of Rockdale County, was awarded the Task Force Member of the Year Award by Judge Jeanette Little (right), State Court of Troup County. Also pictured is Mr. Bob Bray, Executive Director, Council of State

the Georgia General Assembly in 1992 to develop a comprehensive state

provided by the speakers and Court Judges.

plan for ending family vio-

presenters regarding prevention

lence in Georgia. GCFV

and intervention was exactly what

the domestic violence movement,

works throughout the state to help

was needed because it is only

technology safety for victims, and

create and support task forces made

through the integration of preven-

the fatality review process.

up of citizen volunteers working to

tion and intervention that family

Judge Nancy Bills, State Court

end domestic violence in their com-

violence can be eradicated."

of Rockdale County, received the

munities. In addition, GCFV pro-

Two days of plenaries and break-

Task Force Member of the Year

vides training about domestic vio-

out sessions covered a wide gamut of award from Judge Jeannette L. Little, lence, monitors legislation and other

issues.

State Court of Troup County. Mr.

policy impacting victims of domestic

Judge Daphne Walker, Chief

Bob Bray, Executive Director of the

violence, certifies all of Georgia's

Magistrate of Clayton County and

Council of State Court Judges, also

Family Violence Intervention

Chair of the Domestic Violence

praised the recipient. "Judge Bills is

Programs, and co-coordinates the

Court Task Force, presented a ses-

one of the hardest working state

statewide Domestic Violence Fatality

sion outlining best practices for

court judges in Georgia with a case-

Review Project. 6

ensuring victim safety, offender

load that would support two full-

accountability, and effective commu- time judges. Even so, she still finds

nication between the courts and key

time to operate an Accountability

8 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

9 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

Newly Required Income Withholding Order

Form to be Used In All Child Support Cases

In any child support case in which an income withholding order is applicable, the form of the order must follow as mandated by Sections 466 of the Social Security Act and state law (see OCGA 19-6-31 et al.).
The mandate applies regardless if it is a private case or a Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) action. Sections 466(a)(1), (a)(8) and 466 (b)(6)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act require states to use the federally approved Income Withholding for Support with Child Support Order form initially issued on or after January 1, 1994. State statute (OCGA 19-6-32(b)) incorporates the federal requirement.
The Office of Management and

Budget released a revised "federal income withholding for support (IWO)" form on May 31, 2011. The revised Social Security Acts sets forth repercussions if the revised IWO is not used.
Training
The Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) held an Employer Symposium on Child Support in Atlanta on August 3-4, 2011. Judicial representatives, business practitioners, leading executives, payroll professionals, and state and federal child support program professionals, attend the symposium to identify short and long term solutions to topics of mutual concern

such as: Recent revisions to the Income Withholding for Support Order (IWO), Electronic business practices, including electronic income withholding orders (e-IWO), e-payments, and automating the National Medical Support Notice, Improving communications between stakeholders, Reporting and withholding form lump sum payments, and New business trends.
For more information including the form (OMB 0970-0154), instructions, and FAQs: www.acf.hhs.gov 6

Directory Corrections

Superior Courts
Towaliga Judicial Circuit Judge William A. Fears wafearsjudge@gmail.com
Senior Judges
Add: Judge M. Russell Carlisle 1817 Wilkenson Crossing Marietta, GA 30066 770-499-7774 russellcarlisle@att.net
State Courts
Chatooga County Judge Sam Finster, Sr. 50 NW Congress Street Summerville, GA 30747
Juvenile Courts
Enotah Judicial Circuit Delete: David Turk
Add: Gerald Bruce 325 Riley Road, Room 223 Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-865-1880/F 866-935-7090

Special Courts
Recorder's Court of DeKalb County Add: Judge Stanley Baum 4951 Lakeland Wood Court Dunwoody, GA 30038 404-262-6272/F 846-9164
Judge Charles L. Webb 2900 Chamblee Tucker Road, Building 1 Atlanta, GA 30341 404-316-7551
Municipal Courts
Davisboro Add: Judge Matthew Waters 8653 S. Marcus Street Davisboro, GA 31096
Forsyth Delete: Judge William M. Clifton
Add: Chief Judge J. Kristi Lovelace PO Box 1447 Forsyth, GA 31029 478-994-5649/F 993-1002

Social Circle Delete: Judge Rebecca P. Dally
Add: Judge Jeffery L. Foster PO Box 710 Monroe, GA 30655 770-267-8988/F 267-8978
Summerville Judge Sam Finster, Sr. 50 NW Congress Street Summerville, GA 30747
Warner Robins Add: Judge Pamela M. Spencer 2517 Moody Road Warner Robins, GA 31005 478-329-0742
Juvenile Court Administrator
Chatham County Add: Adam Kennedy

The AOC Portal: What Can It Do For You?

Have you heard of "the Portal"? Not some video game or gateway to

outer space, the AOC Portal is the

dynamic, user-friendly interface

that the AOC's Information

Technology Division (IT) created

to facilitate data exchange between

our customers and the AOC.

Envisioned by Mr. Jorge Basto, IT myaocportal.georgiacourts.gov

Division Director, the Portal is a

tool that increases efficient and accu-

The Portal is not only used for

rate communication among judges,

the Directory. The Research section

clerks, and the AOC.

of the AOC is now encouraging

"We are a people business and

clerks to submit their case counts to

the Portal is a tool to keep us more

the AOC through the Portal. Mr.

in tune with our customers," said

Basto discussed the benefits, "Instead

Mr. Basto. "We are gathering infor-

of traveling across Georgia to count

mation already collected and stored

cases, Research staff now logs in to

by our agency, clerks, and judges and SSCIS (State and Superior Court

transforming it into a usable, elec-

Information System) and retrieves

tronic, 24/7 tool." The Portal is one

the most up-to-date information

way for the AOC to become more

whenever they need it."

customer focused. "Customer rela-

In 2010, 480 users registered

tionship management is not an

with the Portal. So far this year, 619

option in the corporate world; it is

users have registered.

essential. The Portal will help us better serve our judges and clerks," said Mr. Basto.

Upcoming Ventures for the Portal In the future, the AOC plans to
use the portal as a self-service,

Portal Beginnings

dynamic information site. For 2012,

The Portal is still in its infancy. In 2010, the AOC Communications section began using the Portal to collect information from judges, clerks, court administrators, and other court personnel for use in updating the Georgia Courts Directory. Directory Verification Postcards were again used in conjunction with the Portal in 2011; however, in coming years, the AOC hopes to go digital with the entire verification process.

the AOC looks to add many helpful features to the Portal including: continuing education credit information from ICJE, regulatory directories for certified court interpreters and court reporters, an online Courts Directory, and a news feed about the Georgia judiciary. The Portal will also allow AOC staff to quickly compile relevant information about every circuit in Georgia with the click of a button.

The AOC is currently working on enhancements such as Portal personalization, aesthetic changes, and performance. "The idea is for the Portal to become a customized site for judges and clerks, somewhat like a personalized Yahoo! homepage. We want to get to you the information you want in the most efficient manner." We hope you will join us on the Portal!
How Does the Portal Work? Portal registration is based on the
E-mail addresses the AOC has in its database. If you cannot register because the AOC database does not have your current or correct E-mail address, contact us at 404-656-5171 or publications@gaaoc.us.
1. Register at: myaocportal.georgiacourts.gov Type in your e-mail address; an Email will be sent to you enabling you to start the registration process.
2. Once you have logged-in to the Portal, check your information. Depending on your role, you can view caseload data and/or verify your contact and personal information. If you have multiple roles, be sure to check each role for accuracy.
3. Once you have made a change, your data is changed automatically and the appropriate AOC staff member is notified.
4. Have a question? Click the appropriate e-mail address at the top of the page. 6

10 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

11 Georgia Courts Journal October 2011

Senior Judge John E. Girardeau Inducted into the Drug Court Professionals Hall of Fame

Senior Judge John E. Girardeau was inducted into the Stanley Goldstein Drug Court Hall of

founding members of the Judicial Council Standing Committee on Drug Courts, Judge Girardeau was

Fame on Wednesday, July 20, 2011,

influential in the establishment of

in Washington, D.C. by the National legislation for drug courts in

Association of Drug Court

Georgia. Such legislation provided a

Professionals

firm, legal

(NADCP).

basis for the

Over 10 years

drug court

ago, Judge

movement

Girardeau

to expand

became frustrated

across the

by what he

state. This

observed in

legislation

Georgia's criminal

provides the

justice system.

foundation

Specifically, he

on which

saw that nothing was working to curtail drug

Judge Girardeau, right, was inducted into the Stanley Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame by NADCP CEO West Huddleston.

new courts can get started as

crimes and drug

well as legit-

addiction. He found himself repeat-

imizing drug courts as a division of

edly dealing with the same individu-

Superior Courts allowing state and

als, and in some cases, with multiple

federal funding to be solicited.

generations of families whose

He was instrumental in the devel-

involvement with the courts was due

opment of the Dawson County

to drug-related crimes.

Treatment Court, the first hybrid

In 2000, Judge Girardeau decided DUI/Drug Court in Georgia, which

enough was enough. He formed the

opened in September 2006.

Drug Court Steering Committee in

Additionally, his vision inspired the

Hall County, and in February of the

creation of Hall County's DUI

next year the Hall County Drug

Court, Mental Health Court, Family

Court took in its first participant.

Treatment Court, and Parental

Today, the Hall County Drug

Accountability Court, as well as the

Court is in its tenth year of opera-

formation of Friends of Recovery, a

tion and has had 368 graduates. It

non-profit organization which sup-

serves as a mentor court and is seen

ports the treatment courts and par-

as a model throughout the United

ticipants in the Northeastern Judicial

States and the world. As one of the

Circuit.

"Judge Girardeau has made an

indelible mark on Georgia's criminal

justice system," said NADCP CEO

West Huddleston. "His foresight and

dedica-

tion has

been a

catalyst

for drug

court

expan-

sion in

Judge Girardeau founded the Hall County Drug Court in 2001 and has been instrumental in the creation of other Accountability Courts in Georgia.

his circuit and across Georgia.

In the

11 years since Judge Girardeau

helped create the Hall County Drug

Court, 52 other drug, DUI, juvenile,

and family dependency courts have

started in Georgia with more to

come. Numerous lives and families

have been saved and will continue to

be positively impacted by his tremen-

dous dedication and public service. It

is a great honor to include Judge

John Girardeau in the Stanley

Goldstein Drug Court Hall of

Fame."

Since the program's inception in

early 2001, the Hall County Drug

Court's retention rate is 91%. Drug

Court estimates an annual taxpayer

savings of $310,500 in comparison

to incarceration. 6