Council of State Court Judges newsletter [Vol. 10, no. 1 (Winter 2004)]

Council of
State Court Judges
Newsletter

Volume 10, Issue 1

Winter 2004

Judge Little Receives Ogden Doremus Award

On October, 2003, Judge Jeanette L. Little, Troup County State Court, received

County, and she held this position until 1986 when former Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed her State Court Judge

the Ogden Doremus Award

of Troup County. She has

at Jekyll Island, GA. A res-

been re-elected to that position

ident of Troup County all

in 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000.

her life, Judge Little studied

In addition to her position in

at Furman University in

Troup County, Judge Little is a

1972, and earned her B.A.

past president of the Council

in English from LaGrange

of State Court Judges, and

College in 1976. In 1979

from 1995-1997 she served as

she received her J.D. from

a member of the Judicial

Mercer University's Walter

Council.

F. George School of Law in Judge Jeanette Little 1979, graduating Magna

Judge Little currently serves on numerous committees and

Cum Laude.

councils. These include the

Judge Little began her career in the

Georgia State Commission on Family

judiciary in 1979 in the Small Claims

Violence, the Supreme Court's

Court of Troup County, where she was

Commission on Substance Abuse and

elected Judge. This title was later

the Courts, the Judicial Council's Pro

changed to Chief Magistrate of Troup

Se Committee, the State Bar's

All About the Council

Our condolences go out to the family of former State Court Judge Ronald F. Adams (Glynn) on his passing, to former Chief Judge Dickinson (Forsyth) on the passing of his mother and to Judge Carlisle (Cobb) on the passing of his mother-in-law. The Council would also like to send Judge Ginsberg (Chatham) best wishes for a speedy recovery from his surgery , Chief Judge Clayton (Cobb) best wishes for her sisters' speedy recovery and Chief Judge Robins (DeKalb) the best on his health checkup.

Congratulations and welcome to our two newest members, Judge Brown (Gwinnett) and Judge McClelland (Forsyth) who are featured in a separate article in this newsletter.
Congratulations and a fond farewell to former Chief Judge Dickinson (Forsyth) who was appointed by Governor Perdue to the Superior Court of the Bell-Forsyth Circuit and congrats to Chief Judge Smith (Forsyth) who is now the Chief Judge of the State Court of Forsyth County.
continued on pg 3

Commission on Family Courts, and the State Bar's Bench and Bar Committee. She is also active in the Council of State Court Judges, on which she currently holds position of chairperson of the New Judge Mentoring Committee, and also serves on the Educational Programs Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee.
In addition to professional activities, Judge Little is also a member of Faith Baptist Church, the Lion's Club, and Camp Viola Board of Trustees. Judge Little and her husband, Thomas Randy Little, have two children, and reside in LaGrange, Georgia. Our congratulations go out to Judge Little as she receives this award for her excellent service and leadership!

What's Inside

President's Message

pg 2

Meet the New Judges

pg 3

New Judge Orientation pg 3

Alternative Sentencing pg 4

Judge for the Day

Reminder

pg 6

Council Keeps Tabs on

Indigent Defense

pg 8

Advance Notice

pg 9

Long-term Care Insurance pg 10

Technology Committee pg 11

Judge Adams Receives Benham Award

pg 12

Page 2

State Court Judges Newsletter

From the President...

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

The advent of the new year is a good

time to both reflect on the past year and

gird for the new

one. The past year

has seen us weather

some storms and

chalk up several

accomplishments.

High on that list is

the Council's partic-

Ed Carriere

ipation in the Mock Trial program.

Little has brought us closer to helping

high school students appreciate and

understand the legal system and to whet the appetites of future lawyers. The response of student and parent alike has been positive. Please be ready to volunteer again next year when Judge Lawrence and his committee come calling.
The work of our judges on indigent defense issues has been effective and promises to come to fruition in the future with increased services to the indigent defendants in Georgia. These efforts will need to be continued through the current legislative session. If at all possible, sign up for the Judge for a Day program as we still have

many spots in March. To our freshmen and more sea-
soned jurists alike, consider where your interests would fit into our Council Committees and activities. If there needs to be a new service or program, then let's start it. If an existing program needs some tweaking to better meet our needs, then make the suggestion. You just need only say so. Same with serving on a committee or changing from one or more to another. Just let me or Stephan know.
May your new year be a healthy, happy and productive one.

All About the Council continued

Congratulations to Judge Peppers (Walker) who was selected by his District 8 colleagues to be the District Chair and to Chief Judge Clayton (Cobb) and Judge Little (Troup) who have been selected by the President of the State Bar of Georgia to be the State Court representatives to the Bench and Bar Committee.
Congratulations to Judge Carbo (Clayton) for coaching his State champion team to a 16th place finish out of 44 teams in the National Mock Trial Finals in New Orleans (see picture above) and to Judge Gibson (Ware) for receiving the Outstanding Attorney Coach Award in the Coastal Georgia Region for the 2003 mock trial season.

Judge Forsling (Fulton) spoke on Professionalism in Litigating Premises Liability Cases: A View from the Bench to attendees at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education's (ICLE) program "Premises Liability" in Atlanta on November 7th and spoke on Professionalism and Trial Tactics to attendees at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education's (ICLE) program "Recent Developments" in Atlanta on November 21st and December 12th. Judge Bessen (Fulton) spoke on Essential Elements Of Civil Litigation: A Judge's Perspective to attendees at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education's (ICLE) program "Plaintiff's Personal Injury" in Atlanta on January 22nd. Chief Judge Studdard (Henry) was a panelist participating in Electing Judges: Campaigning in the 00s to attendees at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education's (ICLE) program "In the Trenches with the First Amendment: Controversial Speech, Judicial Elections and Protecting the Unprotected 20032004 Georgia Bar Media and Judiciary Conference" in Atlanta on January 31st.

Judge Carriere (DeKalb), Judge DelCampo (DeKalb), Judge Purdom (DeKalb), Judge Brown-Reynolds (Fulton) and Judge Newkirk (Fulton) served as panelists participating in Roundtable Discussion: The Judge's Perspective On The Practice Of Law to attendees at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education's (ICLE) program "Meet The Judges" in Atlanta on February 5th. Judge Jordan (Cherokee) will be speaking on Just Because It's Your Evidence--Is it Coming In? at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education's (ICLE) "Successful Trial Practice" seminar in Atlanta on February 20th.
For those very few judges who have not yet paid their Council dues, please send your check in. Thanks!
If you have information about yourself or your fellow Council members, please call Stephan to let him know for future editions of the newsletter.

State Court Judges Newsletter

Welcome the New Judges!

Judge Carla Brown was selected by Governor Perdue to fill a vacancy in the State Court of Gwinnett County due to
former Judge Fuller's stepping down. Judge Brown has served as an associate municipal judge for the cities of Suwanee and Lilburn as well as sitting by designation in the State Court of Gwinnett County. She holds both a J.D. and B.A. from Mercer University and had been a solo practitioner in Gwinnett County prior to her selection.

Due to the vacancy created when Judge Dickinson was appointed to the BellForsyth Judicial Circuit, Judge Troy
Russell McClelland was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the State Court of Forsyth County. Judge McClelland is a partner at Dreger, Coyle, McClelland, Bergman & Pieschel. He also served as the chief assistant district attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit Court. A graduate of Armstrong State College (now Armstrong Atlantic State University) and the University of Georgia School of Law, Judge McClelland was sworn in during a ceremony held in the State Capitol's Senate Chamber.

New Judge Orientation

The Council's annual New Judge Orientation was held September 24-26 at UGA's Center for Continuing Education. Over the course of these three days, our new judges attended classes and seminars that will help them make their transition smooth and provided them with new information. These classes covered a wide range of topics, from Evidence for Dummies to Maximizing Probation's Potential. The evenings gave the new judges a chance to relax, enjoy leisurely dinners and get to know each other.
Our new judges attending were Judge Chafin (Henry), Judge Gordon (DeKalb), Judge Hallman (Evans), Judge Johnson (Appling), Judge Roberts (Hall), Judge Schwall (Fulton), Judge Smith (Forsyth), and Judge Tanksley (Cobb)
Special thanks to Judge Little, Chair of the New Judge Mentoring

Committee, and Rich Reaves, Director of the Institute for Continuing Judicial Education, for the great amount of time and care they each put into making this event a success. Further appreciation goes out to Judges Bass, Carbo, Carriere, Cowen, Cook, Little, Mikell, Robins, Salter, Sams, and Todd for providing introduction and instruction to our new judges at this orientation.

Page 3

Page 4

State Court Judges Newsletter

A New Look at Alternative Sentencing
Cherokee County's Alternative Sentencing Adult Program

The Alternative Sentencing Adult Program (ASAP) is designed to give judges a sentencing alternative for First Time Offenders. ASAP allows these offenders an opportunity to correct their decision-making process and behavior through the sport of Judo. Self-respect, respect for others, personal responsibility, a sporting discipline and a sense of accomplishment are just a few values the program introduces to our participants. Judo is the only martial art that focuses on self-defense, and ASAP does not teach our young adults how to fight, but how to be disciplined and work toward achieving goals.
Purpose
Few people would disagree that preventing criminal activity among the young offenders is preferable to bearing the social and economic costs of punishment using correctional facilities and dealing with underlying issues of substance abuse and self-control. Most Judges are facing a political climate focused on law enforcement and incarceration with few resources and a reluctance to invest in prevention strategies. Yet, the use of alcohol, marijuana, crack, and LSD is increasing among today's youth at an alarming rate.
Why do kids use? The reasons are numerous, but the one that stands out above all the others is peer pressure. Teens want to be `cool', accepted by their friends and become part of the `in crowd.' How many times in your court have young adults stated that they were

with friends when they were arrested?

Bob Byrd, owner of Atlanta Judo

Academy in Woodstock, has been work-

ing with youth in Cherokee County for

the past 4 years. He has seen at-risk

teens and young adults thrive and make

a complete

`turn-around'

in their life

choices as a

result of

applying the

life skills

learned as a

student of

Judo. Based

on his own experiences,

Chief Judge C.J. Gober, Jr.

Mr. Byrd feels

strongly that the ASAP program, found-

ed on an intense study of the martial

arts, can be a solution to juvenile alco-

hol/drug abuse and related issues in our

society. Since 1958,

Bob has been a com-

petitor, a national

and world champion,

and a teacher of

Students at the Atlanta
Judo Academy.

Local Support

Since October of 1997, Chief Judge

C.J. Gober, Jr. and Judge Alan Jordan of

the State Court of Cherokee County

have utilized the ASAP program as an

alternative to sentencing first time

offenders to pro-

bation or incarcer-

ation. Chief Judge

Gober, Judge

Jordan, and the

Solicitor-General

David Cannon, Jr.

carefully select

candidates that

they believe will

Judge Alan Jordan

enter and successfully complete the

program. Chief

Judge Gober states, "We try to pick

people who need direction, role-models,

and self-esteem. I am very satisfied

with the results that our ASAP program

has already produced. We have seen a

better than 90% non-recidivism rate of

those offenders who complete the pro-

gram. I enjoy watching our teens and

young adults make better decisions and

positive changes in their lives. Bob's

competent and caring staff makes this

program a success." Upon completion

of the ASAP program, the Judges speak

directly to the students in court. They

find it rewarding to hear what positive

aspects the program has brought to each

student's life.

Judo. Bob continues to share his lifetime goal through Judo. He challenges each and every student to strive to be the very best they can be.

Program
Students in ASAP have the opportunity to earn colored belts, which indicate their degree of training. They are encouraged to enter competitive matches as they develop their skills. Legal issues are not discussed; in fact, students in ASAP are treated with the same respect as any other individual learning
continued on pg 5

State Court Judges Newsletter

Page 5

What Participants Say About ASAP

The ASAP program has graduated many participants who have made improvements in their school studies, personal relationships, and attitude toward life as a result of hard work and accomplishment. Here are a few statements from our former students:

"I've learned self-respect, discipline, and it has kind of given me a path, and a good start on a better one than the one I was on. I needed an opportunity to straighten my life out, the ASAP has done that." Justin J.
"After completing the Cherokee County ASAP program, we found that we had the confidence to walk away from fighting. This was a first in our lives." Mike & Derrick

"Thanks for a fresh start. The ASAP program gave me confidence and skills I'd never developed before. I'll make Judo a lifelong study." Jon M.
"I'd had two juvenile arrests as a kid and my parents were happy I wouldn't have an adult record. Then I was arrested for underage drinking. Judge Gober and the ASAP program gave me a true fresh start. I intend to keep my record clean!" Josh W.

"My family supported me in my dream to become an airline pilot by sending me to flight school in Florida. While making applications for internships with several airlines, I made a big mistake and was arrested in Cherokee County. I completed the ASAP program and I can never adequately express my appreciation for a fresh start...the ASAP program saved my career." Name Withheld

Alternative Sentencing cont.

the sport of Judo. Fees are due prior to

The program fees are paid weekly

class and participation. Program atten-

over the 25 weeks of the program. The

dance is

total cost of the pro-

tracked on a

gram is $878.00.

weekly basis,

This cost includes:

and non-com-

Uniform, USJI

pliance is

Membership, Class

reported

Instruction,

directly to the

Promotion fees and

Court or

Program

through the

Administration fees

probation

office that

Drug testing can be

services the Court. Further

Mr. Bob Byrd, Owner of Atlanta Judo Academy, performed upon

and former Program Director Chris Ulm.

request by the Court

information on class instructions and

at the cost of $20.00 per test at the stu-

lesson plans can be made available

dent expense.

upon request. The ASAP program is offered in the following manner:

A payment schedule can be provided to the Court and/or to the participant

Class Outline
Students attend classes for 25 weeks (1 Orientation class & 24 Instructional classes)

upon request. Potential candidates should have the financial ability and/or the financial support of his/her family as well as reliable means of transportation to and from the facility. All partici-

Students are required to attend one

pants sign any and all necessary or

class per week

required waiver agreements, and the

Atlanta Judo Academy meets any and all State, Association, and National requirements of insurance coverage.
Atlanta Judo Academy 507 Industrial Drive Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 592-4572 www.atlantajudoacademy.com
Take Note
The Commission on Equality has officially changed it's name to: The Georgia Commission on Access and Fairness in the Courts. The Supreme Court signed an order authorizing this name change on January 8, 2004. This name change was brought about to more accurately reflect the current duties and responsibilities of the Commission. Membership and terms of office remain unchanged.

Page 6
Judge for the Day Reminder

State Court Judges Newsletter

We still have openings left for Judge for the Day. If you have not signed up yet or have needed to reschedule, please copy, fill in and fax to me the accompanying Judge for the Day signup. The following pictures are from last legislative session and demonstrate excellent participation by the State Court.

Then-President Clayton (Cobb) represented Council interests on Indigent Defense at a Conference Committee at the Capitol.

Representative John Lunsford and Chief Judge Studdard (Henry)

Chief Judge Fowler (Chatham) and Chair of House Judiciary, Representative Tom Bordeaux

Chief Judge Robins (DeKalb) and Cynthia Clanton, General Counsel, AOC.

Chief Judge Cook and Judge Iannazzone of our Gwinnett bench discussing legislation before a meeting at the Capitol.

Senator Michael Meyer von Bremen, Judge John Salter (Dougherty) and Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor

Rep. Bert Oliver, Judge Dubberly (Tattnall), Governor Sonny Perdue, and Rep. Terry Barnard.

Judge Mims (Tift)and Representative Lawrence Roberts

Judges Wong (DeKalb)and Newkirk (Fulton) discuss the House and Senate versions of indigent defense legislation during a break in the House Judiciary's Committee Meeting at the Capitol.

State Court Judges Newsletter

Page 7

Judge for the Day Reminder

The legislature convened on January 12th and is in session for 40 workdays (the 40 days are never consecutive due to holidays and recesses). Just select your choices and, after you are slotted, if there is a recess I will let you know as far in advance as possible.

_____ I wish to participate in Judge for the Day Program this upcoming legislative session AND will be able to on this date:

First Choice:

________________________ __________ ____________________________________

Month

Date

Day of the week (ensure it matches date)

Second Choice: ________________________ __________ ____________________________________

Month

Date

Day of the week (ensure it matches date)

Third Choice: ________________________ __________ ____________________________________

Month

Date

Day of the week (ensure it matches date)

_____ It would be difficult for me to participate in Judge for the Day Program this legislative session, BUT if you cannot get enough Judges, I will participate (assume if you check this box that you will not participate unless the Executive Director contacts you)

_____ I cannot participate in Judge for the Day Program this legislative session

Chair of Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Tommie Williams, Judge Rozier (Pierce) and Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor.

Representative Bill Heath and Judge Little (Troup)

Judge Mikell (Bulloch) and Representative Bert Oliver

Page 8

State Court Judges Newsletter

Council Keeps Tabs on Indigent Defense Developments

Council Legislative Co-chair Judge Henry Newkirk and Immediate Past President Judge Melodie

Human Resources and an 18-year state legislator, is Chief Legal Officer. Gary Parker, a former State Senator and experi-

court. A manual for county commissioners detailing the facilities and additional defenders they will have to provide is

Clayton are closely monitoring the activi-

enced criminal defense lawyer, is Deputy

being circulated.

ties of the new Georgia Public Defender

Director of Training and Performance

Emmet J. Bondurant of the Atlanta

Standards Council (GPDSC).

Standards. Sarah Smith Haskin

law firm Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore

The GPDSC formally took over

serves as Deputy Director of

LLP chairs the GPDSC. He was appointed

the responsibilities of the

Legislative and Governmental

by the Speaker of the House of

Georgia Indigent Defense

Affairs.

Representatives, Terry Coleman. C.

Council (GIDC) on January 1,

The GPDSC was creat- Wilson DuBose of the Madison-based law

with responsibility for imple-

ed by the Georgia Indigent

firm Winkler DuBose & Davis LLC

menting a statewide indigent

Defense Act, which Gov. Sonny

serves as Vice Chair. He was appointed by

defense program by January 1,

Perdue signed into law on May

Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher. V.

2005.

22, 2003. The law implements

Natasha Perdew Silas, Staff Attorney with

Even though the state will not pay for public defenders in

Judge Henry Newkirk (Fulton)

many recommendations of the Supreme Court Commission on

the Federal Defender Program, Inc. in Atlanta, is Secretary of the Board. She

State, Municipal or Magistrate courts

Indigent Defense, which spent two years

was appointed by the Supreme Court of

under the new system, the legislation

intensively studying the problem in

Georgia.

requires public defenders in these courts

Georgia. The law requires the state to

The other members of the Georgia

to meet the same performance standards

provide adequate

Public Defender

the GPDSC establishes. The legislature

legal representa-

Standards Council are

left open the possibility that these courts

tion for defen-

Gerald P. Word of

may be included in the state system in

dants in criminal

Carrollton, appointed by

future years.

cases who can-

Speaker Coleman;

The legislation, however, did not

not afford their

Edward Hine, Jr. of

establish a mechanism to pay for a

own lawyers, as

Rome, appointed by the

statewide system. Therefore, in this ses-

required by the

Chief Justice; E. Wycliffe

sion, the General Assembly is considering

U.S. and Georgia

Orr, Sr. of Gainesville

several options for funding the new indi-

constitutions. It

and Paul M. Kurtz ,

gent defense system. Court fees are one possible source. Currently, the state only pays about 11% of the cost of indigent

also reorganized Georgia's indigent defense sys-

Chief Judge Melodie Clayton (Cobb), Judge Carlton Vines (Chattooga), Gov. Sonny Perdue, and Judge Edward

Associate Dean, UGA School of Law, both appointed by Chief Judge

defense. The rest comes out of county

tem on the basis Carriere (DeKalb).

J.D. Smith of the Georgia

budgets.

of the state's 49 judicial circuits.

Court of Appeals; Judge Willie E.

In January of this year, the GPDSC

Public defenders in each judicial cir-

Lockette of the Dougherty Judicial Circuit

announced the selection of Michael

cuit are currently being appointed by local in Albany and Michele M. Henderson of

Mears, former Multi-County Public

panels. However, the GPDSC may dis-

Richmond Hill, both appointed by

Defender, as its first Director. Mr. Mears

miss any public defender whose perform-

Governor Sonny Perdue; Evelyn Turner

is well-known and respected by many

ance does not meet state standards. Each

Pugh of Columbus and Judge Michael E.

judges, having represented indigent defen- circuit will also have special public

Hancock of the Stone Mountain Judicial

dants in capital cases in many counties.

defenders for juveniles accused of a

Circuit in Decatur, both appointed by

He has been actively reaching out to

crime.

Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor.

judges and county commissioners to allay

The GPDSC is currently working to

The Council has also assembled an

their concerns about the financial burden

develop caseload standards that limit the

advisory committee of public defenders"

the new system may impose on their

number of cases each public defender

Lawrence Schneider of DeKalb County,

budgets.

may take on. It is also developing per-

Terry Everett of Houston County and

GPDSC's other senior officers are also formance and information technology

Russell Gabriel, Director, UGA Legal Aid

well-known in the state. Jim Martin, for-

standards to ensure that defendants

Clinic in the Western Circuit.

mer Commissioner of the Department of

receive high quality representation in

State Court Judges Newsletter
Advance Notice
Keep these events in mind for this June. All State Court Judges are invited to attend!

Page 9

June 2004 Judicial Council Meeting and Council of State Court Judges Executive
Committee Meeting (All Invited)
Jekyll Island, Georgia
in conjunction with the Judicial Council Meeting
June 15 - 16, 2004
Tentative Schedule (All State Court Judges are invited to all events)
Tuesday, June 15th Council of State Court Judges Executive Committee Meeting: 1:00pm 4:30pm [Jekyll Island]
Tuesday, June 15th Judicial Council Reception: 5:30pm 7:30pm [Jekyll Island]
Wednesday, June 16th Judicial Council Continental Breakfast: 8:00am 9:30am
Wednesday, June 16th Judicial Council Meeting: 9:30am 1:00pm [Jekyll Island]
Wednesday, June 16th Judicial Council Luncheon: 1:00PM ??????? [Jekyll Island]
Jekyll Island Club Hotel 371 Riverview Drive Jekyll Island, GA 31527 Phone: (800) 535-9547 Website: http://www.jekyllclub.com
No set deadline yet for reservations, but probably first come, first serve until group rate runs out. Group rate is $112 (excluding taxes) and suites are $172 (excluding taxes)

Council of State Court Judges Appellate Reception 2004 and Council of State Court
Judges Executive Committee Meeting (All Invited)
Orlando, Florida
in conjunction with the State Bar of Georgia's Annual Meeting
June 18 - 19, 2004
Friday, June 18th Council of State Court Judges Appellate Reception: 5:00pm 7:00pm [Orlando, FL]
Saturday, June 19th Council of State Court Judges Executive Committee Meeting: 7:30am 9:00am [Orlando, FL]
Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando 5601 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819 Phone: (407) 503-1000 http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/orlando_portofino_bay
Reservations must be made by May 14th to obtain the group rate of $150 (excluding taxes)

Reimbursement will be decided by the Executive Committee after the the supplemental budget is finalized by the legislature. Past reimbursement has included one night's lodging for each event (at lowest lodging cost), mileage and meals.

Page 10

State Court Judges Newsletter

Information on Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance pays the expenses incurred when someone becomes dependent on other people for help with the basic activities of daily living. The activities of daily living are bathing, dressing, eating, continence, toileting, and transferring or ambulating. Cognitive impairments such as short-term memory loss or Alzheimer's disease also activate the need for long-term care. When we were infants, we required care and if we live long enough we will all need the same type of care again.
We may receive care in our homes, adult day care centers, assisted living facilities or nursing homes. There are over 23 million people receiving care in their homes. There are 38,000 assisted living facilities in America today and 1,600,000 nursing home beds. The average annual cost of staying in a nursing home is $ 68,000 today and expected to increase to $175,000 in 2021. Assisted living facilities costs vary from $25,000 to $85,000 a year. Home care cost an average of $18 an hour. Six out of ten people will spend some time in a nursing home. Eight out of ten people will require some type of home care. There are over 6,000,000 people in America that need long-term care today. Forty-Four percent of the people that need long-term care are between the ages of 16-64.
Major medical insurance and Medicare cover hospital visits and doctor bills that occur when medical treatment is required. Medicare will pay for a short period of skilled care only. {For more information on Medicare and Medicaid benefits available, visit www.cms.gov} Long-term care expense is the primary threat to our asset base.

There are 77 insurance companies that sell long-term care policies in Georgia today and they market over 100 policies. These policies can be difficult to understand and I suggest that you ask for a specimen policy and read it until you understand every word, before you
purchase any policy. I suggest that you consider a policy that offers easy access to benefits.
The most liberal way to receive policy benefits easy and early is by using the claim trigger "Medically Necessary." If your doctor states that you require help with the activities of daily living, you are eligible to collect policy benefits immediately. Only a few companies offer this feature. Consumer Reports recommends this feature. Most policies sold since HIPPA 1996, have very restrictive claim triggers and will not pay claims for many broken hips, arthritis or TIA's. Furthermore, a few companies pay INDEMINITY benefits rather than REIMBURSEMENT benefits. An indemnity benefit pays the full daily benefit that you selected. A reimbursement policy requires that you submit paid bills and then you are paid back

your actual expense. A financially secure company is
always important. It is important that your policy pay benefits for stand-by as well as hands-on assistance. The claims ratio is the premiums received compared to the claims paid by company. To avoid rationing, select a policy that does not require you to use the companies' "Care-Manager or Coordinator" in order to get FULL policy benefits. This is an area in the fine print that you should read very carefully. Some policies require company approval and case management of all home care.
This information was put together by Richard Green of Senior Security LTC who is interested in having our members contact him on the subject. If you are interested, he can be reached at 1-800-838-0611, 770-924-9646 or by email at rggreen@prodigy.net. His website is at www.seniorsecurityltc.com
PLEASE RECYCLE
PLEASE RECYCLE

State Court Judges Newsletter

Page 11

Technology/Computer Committee Notes

As Chairman of the Technology Committee, I am excited to let you know about several new changes and updates to our website and e-mail procedures.
In late fall 2003, listservs were set up by the Administrative Office of the Courts for the various committees of the Council of State Court Judges. Twenty-two separate email lists were created. These listservs make it possible for committee members to discuss relevant topics via email, or via a website discussion thread. Subscribers can go to http://mail.georgiacourts.org, and, using email address and a password, post messages to other committee members. All posted messages are sent to subscribers' inboxes, at their subscribed email address. Subscribers can also post to these lists via their subscribed email addresses. The email addresses for the respective lists are statecommitteename@georgiacourts.org (i.e. state-

budget@georgiacourts.org, statecje@georgiacourts.org, statenominating@georgiacourts.org, etc.). Only those judges in a particular committee can post and receive messages for that list. Judges were subscribed to lists based on committee membership. If you have any questions on using the listservs, please contact Brian Collins at 404.463.0837.
The next new features involve changes to our website:
There is now a new way to access our website. As before, you can access our page directly from www.georgiacourts.org and then selecting "Council's" and then selecting "Council of State Court Judges"; however, when typing in the website, the new address is www.georgiacourts.org/councils/state

You will find that there is now a button on the homepage for "Judge for the Day." You can scroll down that page to see the dates that your colleagues will be coming to the legislature. Also, there is now a button that has links to
particular court websites. If your court has a website and is not linked through ours, please let Stephan know so that he may add it. Furthermore, if any senior judge wishes to have their availability listed underneath that button on our website, please also let Stephan know.
I hope that you will find these new tools helpful and useful.
Joe Iannazzone State Court of Gwinnett County Chair, Technology/Computer Committee

"Your Guide to the Georgia Courts"
Brochure is Available!
Call
4046565171
to Request
Copies

What Must He Be Thinking?
A. "I got too much sun, and I can't move."
B. "Why is Claxton fruitcake never on the dessert menu?"
C. "Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck came to Liberty County and all I got was a lousy T-shirt!"

State Bar Georgia Honors Bibb State Court Judge William P. Adams with Benham Award

Bibb County State Court Judge William P. Adams has been named a recipient of the fifth annual Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service for the Third Judicial District.
The award recognizes lawyers and judges who have combined a professional career with outstanding service and dedication to their community through voluntary participation in community organizations, government sponsored activities or humanitarian work. The award was presented at the State Bar of Georgia's midyear meeting in Atlanta on January 16.
As a former member of the executive committee of the Macon Bar

Judge Adams (Bibb) {back, right} poses with fellow awardee Cynthia Clanton, AOC {front, left}, and Justice Robert Benham {center}.
Picture reprinted with permission from the State Bar of Georgia.

Association, and its President from 1996-1997, Judge Adams took an active role in addressing the needs of children in the legal system. He was also recognized by the Georgia Legal Services Program for helping to increase the number of attorneys willing to provide free legal services to low-income people in middle Georgia.
Judge Adams has also been actively involved in the Vineville United Methodist Church, Central High School, and Vine Ingle Little League. He is President of the Kiwanis Club of Macon, and was named Kiwanian of the Year in 1992.

Council of State Court Judges
244 Washington Street, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

JUDGE ED CARRIERE President DeKalb County
JUDGE JOHN SALTER President-Elect Dougherty County
JUDGE BEN STUDDARD Secretary Henry County
JUDGE BRENDA COLE Treasurer Fulton County
JUDGE MELODIE CLAYTON Immediate Past President Cobb County
STEPHAN J. FRANK Executive Director
ASHLEY G. STOLLAR Graphic Design

JUDGE JACK E. CARNEY, JR. District 1 Bryan County
JUDGE SAM EDGAR District 2 Bacon County
JUDGE KELLY D. TURNER District 3 Lowndes County
JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS District 4 Fayette County
JUDGE RICHARD SLABY District 5 Richmond County
JUDGE JOSEPH IANNAZZONE District 6 Gwinnett County
JUDGE HENRY M. NEWKIRK District 7 Fulton County
JUDGE DONNY PEPPERS District 8 Walker County