Judicial Council of Georgia members' guide, September 2013 [2013]

Table of Contents
Welcome to the Judicial Council of Georgia......................................................................................1
Guiding Judicial Council Documents Judicial Council Statutory Charges.............................................................................................2 Bylaws of the Judicial Council...................................................................................................5 Relevant Orders of the Supreme Court of Georgia.....................................................................8 Judicial Council Committees......................................................................................................9 State Budgeting for Judicial Council Programs........................................................................10 Policy Initiatives of the Judicial Council..................................................................................11 Administrative Office of the Courts Simplified Organizational Chart.....................................12 Administrative Office of the Courts Projects............................................................................13
Member and Staff Listing Judicial Council Members........................................................................................................15 Administrative Office of the Courts Staff ................................................................................17
Judicial Council Policies Judicial Workload Assessment Policy for Judgeship and Circuit Boundary Studies...............19 Pilot Courts Policy on Pilot Courts of Non-Uniform Jurisdiction....................................................25 Pilot Project Addendum................................................................................................28
Appendices...........................................................................................................................................29 1 - Supreme Court Order, June 12, 1978 2 - Supreme Court Order, February 6, 1980 3 - Supreme Court Order, January 15, 1981 4 - Supreme Court Order, January 15, 1981 5 - Supreme Court Order, December 14, 1981 6 - Supreme Court Order, August 5, 1983 7 - Supreme Court Order, August 5, 1983 8 - Supreme Court Order, April 10, 2003 9 - Supreme Court Order, April 13, 2009 10 - Supreme Court Order, October 6, 2010 11- Supreme Court Order, July 3, 2012

Judicial Council of Georgia
Administrative Office of the Courts

Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson Chair
Dear Judicial Council Member:

September 1, 2013

Marla S. Moore Director

Welcome to the Judicial Council of Georgia! As a new Council member you are now part of a forum where representatives of the Third Branch make policy decisions for the benefit of the courts. Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1973, the Judicial Council develops policies for improving and administering the Georgia courts.
Broadly, the Judicial Council is charged with the continuous study and betterment of the organization of the courts. Some of its duties include: considering requests for new superior court judgeships, developing policies for administering and improving the courts, and overseeing the judicial branch committees and agencies as required by law.
The twenty-six members of the Judicial Council represent every class of court in Georgia and meet as a whole three times a year. The Judicial Council executes its statutory duties and policies through active committee membership and its administrative arm, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Since its inception, the functions and roles of the Council have also been delineated by Orders of the Supreme Court of Georgia.
This handbook will provide you with basics about the Judicial Council and its work. It includes the bylaws, statutes, Supreme Court Orders, glimpses of Council initiatives, and information about the members and staff of the Council and AOC.
Please feel free to contact the staff of the AOC any time for more information by calling 404656-5171 (See also AOC Staff List, page 18).

Sincerely,

Marla S. Moore Director

1

Judicial Council Statutory Charges
The Administrative Office of the Courts serves as staff of the Judicial Council. Under the supervision and direction of the Judicial Council, the agency's statutorily defined duties, O.C.G.A. 15-5-22, 24 (2011), are as follows:
Consult with and assist judges, administrators, clerks of court, and other officers and employees of the court pertaining to matters relating to court administration and provide such services as are requested;
Examine the administrative and business methods and systems employed in the offices related to and serving the courts and make recommendations for necessary improvement;
Compile statistical and financial data and other information on the judicial work of the courts and on the work of other offices related to and serving the courts, which data and information shall be provided by the courts;
Analyze data relating to civil cases collected pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 9-113 and subsection (b) of Code Section 9-11-58 and provide such data, analysis, or both data and analysis to the courts and agencies of the judicial branch, agencies of the executive branch, and the General Assembly;
Examine the state of the dockets, practices, and procedures of the courts and make recommendations for the expedition of litigation;
Act as fiscal officer and prepare and submit budget estimates of state appropriations necessary for the maintenance and operations of the judicial system;
Formulate and submit recommendations for the improvement of the judicial system; perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the Judicial Council; and
Prepare and publish in print or electronically an annual report on the work of the courts and on the activities of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Under the supervision and direction of the Judicial Council, the AOC of Georgia assists judges, administrators, clerks of court, and other officers, employees, and entities of the judiciary by performing administrative and legal, fiscal, information technology, communications, and other technical services. The work of the AOC specifically includes the performance of services for the following organizations.
Council of State Court Judges O.C.G.A. 15-7-26 and by Memorandum of Understanding
Provides technical services to the Council and assists the Council in complying with all its legal requirements.
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Council of State Court Judges, cont. Upon the request of the Council of State Court Judges, provides staff and related administrative and clerical functions to the Council.
Council of Probate Court Judges O.C.G.A. 15-9-15
Provides technical services to the Council and, at the request of the Council, acts as the agent of the Council for the purpose of supervising and implementing contracts.
Council of Magistrate Court Judges and Magistrate Courts Training Council O.C.G.A. 15-10-132 and by Memorandum of Understanding
Provides administrative services to the Council and staff. Serves as a member of, and secretary to, the Georgia Magistrate Courts Training Council.
Council of Municipal Court Judges and Municipal Courts Training Council O.C.G.A. 36-32-22, 24, 40
Provides technical services to the Council and, at the request of the Council, acts as the agent of the Council for the purpose of supervising and implementing contracts.
Serves as member of, and secretary to, the Georgia Municipal Courts Training Council.
County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council O.C.G.A. 42-8-101, 50-4-3
Provides staff and record keeping, reporting, and related administrative and clerical functions to the Council.
Board of Court Reporting O.C.G.A. 15-14-27
Provides administrative services to the Board and staff and serves as secretary to the Board.
Certification of Process Servers O.C.G.A. 9-11-4.1
Develop tests and other criteria for the certification of process servers.
Accountability Courts O.C.G.A. 15-1-15, 16
Provides staff and technical services to the Judicial Council's work in drug court planning and adoption of standards.
Provides staff and technical services to the Judicial Council's work in mental health court planning and adoption of standards.
Inmate Forms O.C.G.A. 9-10-14
Promulgates and publishes forms for use by inmates of state and local penal and correctional institutions in actions against the state and local governments and government agencies and officers.
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Jury List Information O.C.G.A. 15-12-40.1
Receives lists of driver's license information collected for purposes of voter registration from Department of Driver Services.
Receives list of registered voters from Secretary of State. Georgia Commission on Family Violence O.C.G.A. 19-13-32 and by Memorandum of Understanding
Provides staff and technical services to the Commission; serves as a representative on the Commission.
Protective Order Forms O.C.G.A. 19-13-53
Distributes standardized forms for protective orders. Department of Community Health Report O.C.G.A. 16-12-141.1
Provides statistics to the Department for use in the Department's annual report. Microform Standards and Retention Schedules O.C.G.A. 50-18-92, 120
With the State Records Committee, establishes retention and microform standards for the courts.
Foreign Language and Hearing-Impaired Interpreters (Effective 1/1/2013) O.C.G.A. 15-1-14
Administers foreign language and hearing-impaired interpreters' rules, requirements, and enforcement.
4

Bylaws of the Judicial Council
ARTICLE I: OFFICERS Officers of the Council shall be the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer as follows:
Chair The Chair shall be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and will serve as the presiding officer of the Council; call the meetings, affording written notice as hereinafter defined in these Bylaws to the members of the Council; preside at the meeting and control debate; serve as the official spokesperson for the Council in dealing with government agencies, public, or news media; and appoint all committees.
Vice-Chair The Vice-Chair shall be the Presiding Justice of the Supreme Court and assist the Chair as needed and preside at meetings in the event the Chair is unable to do so. The Vice-Chair will serve as the Chair of the Policy Committee.
Secretary The Secretary shall be a current member of the Judicial Council and elected by majority vote of the Judicial Council to serve a term of two years. The Secretary will be responsible for an accurate recordation of minutes of meetings and the provision of Judicial Council Handbooks to new members.
Treasurer The Treasurer shall be a current member of the Judicial Council and elected by majority vote of the Judicial Council to serve a term of two years. The Treasurer will serve as Chair of the Budget Committee.
Appointment of the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts The Council shall elect a Director who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. Election of a Director shall be by a majority of the vote of the Council. Duties of the Director shall be defined by law and as directed by the Council.
Termination of Services of the Director The services of the Director may be terminated by a majority vote of the Council.
ARTICLE II: COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION Composition of Membership The composition of the membership shall be in accordance with the membership established by order of the Supreme Court dated July 3, 2012.
Selection of Membership The selection of Council membership shall be in accordance with the selection process established by order of the Supreme Court dated July 3, 2012.
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Terms of Office Members of the Judicial Council shall serve while holding their respective offices specified above, except that the term of the Judge selected by the Court of Appeals shall not exceed two years. Supreme Court Order dated August 5, 1983.
Vacancy as a Result of Death, Resignation, Retirement, Removal, etc. In the event a vacancy occurs because of the death, resignation, retirement, removal, or failure of reelection or appointment to the office which a member serves as representative, such vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as provided in Supreme Court Order dated April 13, 2009.
ARTICLE III: MEETINGS Call to Meetings The Council shall meet at such times and places as it may deem necessary and convenient to perform its duties. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair or by a majority of the voting members of the Council with reasonable notice of time and place by mail to the members.
Rules Except as otherwise provided, all meetings of the Council and its committees shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
Voting All members shall be entitled to vote, except as hereinafter specified. A member unable to attend a meeting shall be entitled to be represented by a judge, designated by the absent member, who may be heard but shall not be entitled to vote. In the event that the member is unable to attend a meeting due to illness, incapacitation, or the death of an immediate family member, the designee shall be entitled to vote. Supreme Court Order dated April 10, 2003.
ARTICLE IV: QUORUM A majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES Administration Committee The Administration Committee shall be composed of: the Chief Justice (Chair), the Judge selected by the Court of Appeals, the President-Elect of the Council Superior Court Judges (Vice-Chair), and the ten Judicial Administrative District Judges.
Policy and Legislative Committee The Policy and Legislative Committee shall be composed of: the Presiding Justice (Chair), the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals (Vice-Chair), the President-Elect of the Council of Superior Court Judges, and the presidents of the Councils of State Court Judges, Juvenile Court Judges, Probate Court Judges, Magistrate Court Judges, and Municipal Court Judges. Supreme Court Order dated October 6, 2010.
Other Committees Accountability Court Committee; Budget Committee; Court Reporting Matters Committee; Domestic Violence Committee; Judicial Council Nominating Committee; Judicial Records Retention Committee; Judicial Workload Assessment Committee. The Chair shall name such other committees as are necessary to conduct the business of the Council.
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Terms of Appointment The terms of service on all committees shall be as directed by the Chair.
Membership on Committees Insofar as is reasonably possible, no Judicial Council member should serve on more than two committees of the Judicial Council, and no non-Judicial Council member should serve on more than one committee of the Judicial Council.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICIAL OPINIONS AND POLICY STATEMENTS From time to time the Council shall issue, publish, and distribute official opinions or policy statements concerning recommendations for the improvement of the judicial system, the court structure, or court administration, including the recommendations of new legislation or repeal or modifications of existing laws. An opinion or policy statement shall be authorized by a majority vote of the Council.
Right to Dissent Any member of the Council shall have the right to dissent from the majority of any official opinion or policy statement. The dissenting opinion shall be published and made a part of the statement of the majority.
Public Relations and Dealings with the News Media The public relations policy of the Judicial Council, as approved, will govern the dealings with the news media. The Chair shall be the official spokesperson for the Council, although, by majority vote, the Council may direct the Chair as to communications with the public and the news media. Other members of the Council are discouraged from communication directly with the news media unless directed to by the Council or the Chair. In the event a member of the Council is approached by the news media concerning work of the Council, that particular member should direct the reporter to the Chair.
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS The foregoing bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Council at any regular or special meeting of the Council at which a quorum is present by a majority vote of the members, provided, however, that a copy of the proposed amendment be provided to all Council members not later than thirty days prior to the date of the regular or special meeting.
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Relevant Orders of the Supreme Court of Georgia
Presented below is a list of Supreme Court orders that directly affect the Judicial Council. In addition to the Council's statutory duties, these Orders direct Council policy. The complete orders are located in the Appendices.
June 12, 1978 A Supreme Court Order establishing the Judicial Council as an administrative arm of the Supreme Court.
February 6, 1980 A Supreme Court Order restructuring the Judicial Council.
January 15, 1981 A Supreme Court Order amending the Court's Order of February 6, 1980, relating to membership of the Judicial Council.
A Supreme Court Order amending the Court's Order of June 12, 1978, to give authorization for certain additional duties to be performed by the AOC.
December 14, 1981 A Supreme Court Order amending the Court's Order of February 6, 1980, allowing all members to be voting members with the exception of the representative of the Supreme Court.
August 5, 1983 A Supreme Court Order continuing the existence of the Judicial Council, setting its membership, and establishing two standing committees.
A Supreme Court Order directing the Judicial Council's Administrative Committee to advise the Supreme Court on senior judges seeking approval to serve under Rule S-6.
April 10, 2003 A Supreme Court Order defining the circumstances under which a representative of an absent member may be entitled to vote on matters before the Judicial Council.
April 13, 2009 A Supreme Court Order making the President of the Council of Municipal Court Judges a voting member of the Judicial Council.
October 6, 2010 A Supreme Court Order making the President of the Council of Municipal Court Judges a member of the Standing Committee on Policy.
July 3, 2012 A Supreme Court Order making the President-Elect of the Council of Municipal Court Judges a member of the Judicial Council.
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Judicial Council Committees

Accountability Court Committee The Accountability Court Committee recommends policies and rules governing accountability courts and local funding priorities for grants; oversees evaluation of programs; monitors best practices; sponsors annual conferences; and provides for continuing education of accountability court coordinators.
AOC Staff Contact: Ms. Lateefah Thomas
Administration Committee The Administration Committee makes recommendations regarding court structure, organization, and management. They have the specific duty to recommend to the Supreme Court as to eligibility for senior status of a judge defeated in an election.
AOC Staff Contact: Ms. Marla S. Moore
Budget Committee The Budget Committee handles the initial review of Council, AOC, and all subprogram budgets and recommends continuation funding and enhancement requests to the full Council for approval.
AOC Staff Contact: Ms. Ashley Garner
Court Reporting Matters Committee The Court Reporting Matters Committee acts on behalf of the Council in handling appeals from decisions of the Board of Court Reporting; approves rules changes, opinions of

the Board, and proposed changes to fee schedules; and recommends candidates for Board membership.
AOC Staff Contact: Ms. Aquaria Smith
Domestic Violence Committee The Domestic Violence Committee reviews grant applications from nonprofits offering to provide civil legal services to victims of domestic violence and training on domestic violence related issues. Each year the General Assembly appropriates approximately $1.7 million for this grant, which serves over 5,000 victims statewide.
AOC Staff Contact: Ms. Cynthia Clanton
Judicial Workload Assessment Committee The Judicial Workload Assessment Committee determines the methodology for analysis of data collected through annual trial court case counts. Additionally, based on staff studies, they make recommendations to the Council as to the need for additional judicial personnel.
AOC Staff Contact: Mr. Christopher Hansard
Policy and Legislative Committee The Policy and Legislative Committee reviews the Council, AOC, and sub-program policies; reviews legislation affecting the judicial branch; and develops positions where appropriate.
AOC Staff Contact: Mr. Michael Cuccaro

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State Budgeting for Judicial Council Programs
The Judicial Council budget unit contains six programs: Accountability Courts, Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, Georgia Resource Center, Institute of Continuing Education, Judicial Council, and Judicial Qualifications Commission.
The subprograms listed below are part of the Judicial Council Program within the Judicial Council budget unit, which receives funds appropriated by the General Assembly. Specific amounts are appropriated to each subprogram by the Judicial Council for their operations. Total funds appropriated to the AOC by the Judicial Council are budgeted at the discretion of the AOC Director and Chief Justice. The AOC Director does not necessarily exercise discretion as to actual expenditures for all subprograms.
Administrative Office of the Courts Child Support Guidelines Commission Council of Magistrate Court Judges Council of Municipal Court Judges Council of Probate Court Judges Council of State Court Judges County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council Georgia Commission on Family Violence Georgia Council of Court Administrators Legal Services to Victims of Domestic Violence Statewide Treatment Court Program
Other Programs The Accountability Courts program is placed under the Judicial Council budget unit by the General Assembly; their activities are staffed by the Administrative Office of the Courts and directed by the Judicial Council.
Other Programs (attached agencies): The programs listed below are placed under the Judicial Council budget unit by the General Assembly; their activities are not directed by the Judicial Council.
Georgia Appellate Resource Center Institute of Continuing Judicial Education Judicial Qualifications Commission
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Policy Initiatives of the Judicial Council
The following Judicial Council initiatives are examples of the breadth and depth of the Council's policy work. 1974: Creation of the Board of Court Reporting 1976: Passage of the Judicial Administration Act creating the ten Judicial Administrative Districts;
petitioned the Supreme Court to create the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education 1979: Established the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education as an administrative arm of the
Supreme Court 1981: Planning Committee for the Judicial Branch provided input to the writers of the 1983
Constitution and subsequent enabling legislation 1982: Developed the first statewide judicial records retention schedules 1987: Established the Electronic Data Processing Committee to propose statewide standards for
Georgia courts 1992: Creation of the Georgia Courts Automation Commission; creation of the Commission on
Family Violence 1996: Creation of the Drug Court Committee 2005: Passage of Drug Court enabling legislation 2009: Adoption of Emergency Procedures
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Administrative Office of the Courts Simplified Organization Chart

Director

Communications

Governmental & Trial Court Liaison

Human Resources

Office of General Counsel

Court Services Division

Financial Administration
Division

Information Technology
Division

For more detailed information, please see page 18.

12

Administrative Office of the Courts Projects
Administrative Office of the Courts divisions and their functions are presented here in brief.
Director's Office Communications: The Communications department acts as the Public Information Officer of the
AOC. The staff produces the official publications of the AOC and the Judicial Council. They provide graphic design and editing assistance to associated programs. Additionally, they staff the strategic communications goals of the agency.
Staff Contact: Ms. Ashley Stollar
Governmental and Trial Court Liaison: The Governmental and Trial Court Liaison department communicates and collaborates with other judicial agencies and branches of government to further the goals of the Judicial Council and the statutory mission of the AOC. This unit also provides policy and technical support to the Judicial Council and trial court councils, as well as comprehensive administrative services to the Council of Probate Court Judges, Council of Municipal Court Judges, magistrate court clerks, and various court-related training councils. Staff Contact: Mr. Michael Cuccaro
Human Resources: The Human Resources department provides personnel services for the AOC and external judicial branch entities as requested. Internal services include: benefits and salary administration, leave management, personnel action processing, conducting new employee orientation, performance evaluations, training, and policy development. The department is also responsible for maintaining official personnel records, design and implementation of the agency's recruitment process and selection methods, and recommending programs designed to enhance employee development. Staff Contact: Ms. Stephanie Hines
Office of General Counsel: The Office of General Counsel provides legal services to the AOC, members of the judicial branch, and associated entities including the regulatory agencies of the judiciary. Services include the drafting, negotiation, and termination of all contracts and legal agreements; complex legal research and analysis; representation at administrative hearings and other proceedings; legal advice and counsel in a wide variety of areas including employment, policy and rule changes, legislation, and open records requests; responding to daily inquiries from the public; and providing habeas corpus forms to penal institutions. The staff also manages the $1.7 million grant providing civil legal services to victims of family violence. Staff Contact: Ms. Cynthia Clanton
Court Services Division Office of Accountability Courts and Grants Management: The Office of Accountability Courts and
Grants Management provides financial support, grants management, and technical assistance to adult and juvenile Drug, DUI, and Mental Health courts across the state. The office also provides additional technical support to other emerging problem-solving courts, including Domestic Violence courts, Child Support courts, and Veterans Treatment courts.
Staff Contact: Ms. Lateefah Thomas
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Office of Certification and Licensing: The Certification and Licensing section furnishes administrative support to boards and commissions responsible for testing and licensing Georgia court professionals, including court reporters, foreign and sign language interpreters, alternative dispute mediators and neutrals, and private probation providers. Staff Contact: Ms. Molly Perry
Office of Children, Families, and the Courts: The Children, Family, and the Courts section supports court system projects that improve outcomes for Georgia's most vulnerable citizens children, the elderly, victims of domestic violence, etc. They staff the Committee on Justice for Children, Committee on Civil Justice, Commission on Family Violence, Child Support Commission, and Elder Law Pro Bono Program. They are also the liaison to the state Division of Child Support Services. A combination of federal, private foundation, and state funds finance these projects. Staff Contact: Ms. Michelle Barclay
Office of Research, Planning, and Data Analysis: The Office of Research, Planning, and Data Analysis conducts recurring and stand alone studies of trial court activities and resource needs, surveys to gather and analyze information intended to improve court administrative functions, and applied research to support Judicial Council policy and decision making. Staff Contact: Mr. Christopher Hansard
Financial Administration Division The Financial Administration Division provides fiscal services for the AOC and twenty-nine judicial
branch organizations. This includes: payroll administration, budget preparation and management, audit compliance, invoicing, and accounts payable. They also provide budget data to the Governor and General Assembly on behalf of each Judicial Council budgetary unit as requested.
Staff Contact: Mr. Randy Dennis
Information Technology Division The Information Technology Division maintains the internal network of the AOC, the judicial branch
personnel database, and external and internal websites. They also manage desktop software and equipment, e-mail, and listserv capabilities. The staff consults, develops, and supports court automation projects such as: the Child Support E-filing System, the AOC Judicial Information and Data Portal, local case management and docketing systems for 372 installations, ranging from local case management and docketing systems to jury management. The Division also has staff actively participating in local and national groups such as Oasis, CITOC, and Legal XML to define, design, and promote judicial technology standards.
Staff Contact: Mr. Jorge Basto
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Supreme Court Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson Chair, Judicial Council 507 State Judicial Building Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-3475/F 657-9586 thompsoh@gasupreme.us
Presiding Justice P. Harris Hines Vice-Chair, Judicial Council 501 State Judicial Building Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-3472/F 651-8642 hinesph@gasupreme.us
Court of Appeals Chief Judge Herbert E. Phipps 47 Trinity Avenue, Suite 501 Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-3457/F 657-8945 phippsh@gaappeals.us
Presiding Judge Sara Doyle 47 Trinity Avenue, Suite 501 Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-3458/F 657-9764 doyles@gaappeals.us
Superior Court Judge Louisa Abbot President, CSCJ Eastern Judicial Circuit 203 Chatham County Courthouse 133 Montgomery Street Savannah, GA 31401 912-652-7162/F 652-7164 labbot@chathamcounty.org
Judge Mary Staley President-Elect, CSCJ Cobb Judicial Circuit 70 Haynes Street Marietta, GA 30090 770-528-1816/528-1821 mary.staley@cobbcounty.org
Judge John E. Morse Jr. Eastern Judicial Circuit, 1st JAD 213 Chatham County Courthouse 133 Montgomery Street Savannah, GA 31401 912-652-7236/F 652-7361 jemorse@chathamcounty.org

Judicial Council Members
As of September 2013
Chief Judge Harry J. Altman II Southern Judicial Circuit, 2nd JAD PO Box 1734 Thomasville, GA 31799 229-228-6278/F 225-4128 thosct@rose.net
Judge Edward D. Lukemire Houston Judicial Circuit, 3rd JAD 201 Perry Parkway Perry, GA 31069 478-218-4850/F 218-4855 elukemire@houstoncountyga.org
Chief Judge Gregory A. Adams Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, 4th JAD 5240 DeKalb County Courthouse 556 N. McDonough Street Decatur, GA 30030 404-371-2211/F 371-3062 gaadams@dekalbcountyga.gov
Chief Judge Cynthia D. Wright Atlanta Judicial Circuit, 5th JAD T8855 Justice Center Tower 185 Central Avenue SW Atlanta, GA 30303 404-613-4185/F 335-2883 cynthia.wright@fultoncountyga.gov
Chief Judge Arch W. McGarity Flint Judicial Circuit, 6th JAD Henry County Courthouse One Courthouse Square McDonough, GA 30253-3293 770-288-7907/F 288-7920 awm8439@yahoo.com
Judge James G. Bodiford Cobb Judicial Circuit, 7th JAD 70 Haynes Street, Suite 6400 Marietta, GA 30090 770-528-1822/F 528-8141 james.bodiford@cobbcounty.org
Chief Judge Kathy Palmer Middle Judicial Circuit, 8th JAD PO Box 330 Swainsboro, GA 30401 478-237-3260/F 237-0949 kspalmer@bellsouth.net
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Judge Kathleen Gosselin Northeastern Judicial Circuit, 9th JAD PO Box 1778 Gainesville, GA 30503-1778 706-253-8729/F 253-8734 kgosselin@hallcounty.org
Chief Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet Augusta Judicial Circuit, 10th JAD 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 4203 Augusta, GA 30901 706-821-2347/F 721-4476 batkins@augustaga.gov
State Court Judge Linda S. Cowen President, CSCJ Clayton County Harold R. Bank Justice Center 9151 Tara Blvd., Room 3JC302 Jonesboro, GA 30236 770-477-3392/F 603-4149 lscowen@mindspring.com
Judge Charles Wynne President-Elect, CSCJ Hall County PO Box 737 Gainesville, GA 30503-0737 770-531-7007/F 531-3975 cwynne@hallcounty.org
Juvenile Court Judge Robin W. Shearer President, CJCJ Western Judicial Circuit 325 East Washington Street, Room 115 Athens, GA 30601 706-613-3300/F 613-3306 robin.shearer@athensclarkecounty.com
Judge J. Lane Bearden President-Elect, CJCJ Cherokee Judicial Circuit 100 Court Street Calhoun, GA 30701 706-625-6959/F 602-2337 beardenlaw@aol.com

Probate Court Judge Kelley Powell President, CPCJ Henry County 99 Sims Street McDonough, GA 30253 770-288-7600/F 288-7616 kpowell@co.henry.ga.us
Judge Chase Daughtrey President-Elect, CPCJ Cook County 212 N. Hutchinson Avenue Adel, GA 31620 229-896-3941/F 896-6083 chase.daughtrey@cookcountyga.us
Magistrate Court Judge Betsey Kidwell President, CMCJ Heard County PO Box 395 Franklin, GA 30217-0395 706-675-3002/F 675-0819 kidwell42@yahoo.com
Judge W. Allen Wigington First Vice-President, CMCJ Pickens County 35 W. Church Street Jasper, GA 30143 706-253-8747/F 253-8750 awigington@pickenscountyga.gov
Municipal Court Judge James M. Anderson, III President, CMCJ Municipal Court of Sandy Springs 5855 Sandy Springs Circle NE, Suite 130 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 404-255-0319/F 255-0477 jma@jmalawfirm.com
Judge E.R. Lanier President-Elect, CMCJ Municipal Court of Monticello PO Box 269 Monticello, GA 31064 706-468-0129/F 468-0129 erlanier@aol.com

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Administrative Office of the Courts
244 Washington St. SW, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334
Marla S. Moore, Director 404-656-5171

Director's Office Yolanda Mashburn 404-657-6269
Erin Oakley 404-463-3820
Budget Ashley Garner 404-656-6404
Communications Ashley G. Stollar 404-656-6783
Derrick Bryant 404-656-6784
Governmental & Trial Court Liaison Michael Cuccaro 404-651-7616
Christopher Causey 404-463-6296
Catherine Fitch 404-463-1023
Tracy Mason 404-463-0559
LaShawn Murphy 404-651-6325
Human Resources Stephanie Hines 404-657-7469
Jacqueline Booker 404-463-0638

General Counsel Cynthia H. Clanton 404-656-6692
position vacant 404-463-3805
Court Services Molly J.M. Perry Division Director 404-463-5420
Maggie Reeves 404-463-0350
Accountability Courts & Grants Management Lateefah Thomas 404-463-1906
Alexandra O'Callaghan 404-463-1453
Stacey Seldon 404-463-0043
Certification and Licensing position vacant 404-656-5171
Bernetha Hollingsworth 404-656-0371
Board of Court Reporting Aquaria R. Smith 404-651-8707
Deborah Atwater 404-232-1409
Matthew Kloiber 404-463-1319

Language Access Linda Smith 404-657-4219
Office of Dispute Resolution Shinji Morokuma 404-463-3785
Tynesha Manuel 404-463-3788
Probation Advisory Council Shevondah Fields 404-656-6447
Mary Interiano 404-463-5001
Deborah Boddie 404-232-1444
Shawn DeVaney 404-463-3927
Children, Families, & the Courts Michelle Barclay 404-657-9219
Patricia Buonodono 404-463-0044
Araceli Jacobs 404-656-6703
Elaine Johnson 404-463-6383
Paula Myrick 404-463-6480

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Commission on Family Violence Greg Loughlin 404-463-6230
Jenny Aszman 404-232-1830
Jameelah Ferrell 404-656-5586
Jennifer Thomas 404-463-1662
La Donna Varner 404-463-3178
Research, Planning, & Data Analysis Christopher Hansard 404-463-1871
Joshua Becker 404-463-6298
Kimberly Miller 404-463-6887
Jordan Dasher 404-656-0371
Wes Acosta 404-656-6413
Financial Administration Randy Dennis Division Director 404-651-7613
Amy Bottoms 404-463-2493
Krista Bradley 404-463-9016

Kim Burley 404-463-3816
Monte Harris 404-656-6691
Tanya Osby 404-463-0237
Andrew Theus 404-463-5177
Information Technology Jorge Basto Division Director 404-657-9673
Network Administration/ Desktop Tony Mazza 404-657-4006
Gilberto Alcantara 404-463-0016
Bradley Allen 404-657-1770
Carl Carey 404-656-7694
Application/Web Development Christina Liu 404-651-8180
Roger Watson 404-651-8169
position vacant 404-656-5171

Software Maintenance/Support Michael Neuren 404-657-4218
Richard Denney 404-731-1357
Wanda Paul 404-538-0849
Kriste Pope 404-731-1358
Georgia Judicial Exchange Michael Alexandrou 404-656-7788
Tajsha Dekine 404-656-3479
Kevin Kirk 404-275-8372
Rory Parker 404-656-3478
Arnold Schoenberg 404-463-6343
Council of State Court Judges Bob Bray 404-651-6204
Council of Magistrate Court Judges Sharon Reiss 404-463-4171

All email addresses follow this format: firstname.lastname@gaaoc.us.
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Judicial Council Policy for Judgeship and Circuit Boundary Studies
Initiation
Recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly for judicial personnel allocations for the superior courts shall be made annually prior to the beginning of the regular session of the General Assembly. Studies by the Administrative Office of the Courts of the need for judgeships or of the need for changes in circuit boundaries may be authorized by the Judicial Council upon the request of the Governor, members of the General Assembly, or by a judge of the county or counties affected. Such requests shall be submitted in writing by June 1, prior to the session of the General Assembly during which the judgeship or change in circuit boundaries is sought. Any request received after June 1 shall not be considered until the following year. Any judge who intends to make a request for a study must notify the Judicial Council of any special circumstances or data of the courts involved in the request by June 1 so that these special circumstances may be investigated during the studies conducted by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). (12/7/2005) (6/11/2010)
Purpose
The Judicial Council seeks to achieve a balanced and equitable distribution of caseload among the judges of the state to promote speedy and just dispositions of citizens' cases. The Judicial Council recognizes that the addition of a judgeship is a matter of great gravity and substantial expense to the counties and the state and should be approached through careful inquiry and deliberate study before action is taken. (10/27/1981)
Policy Statements
The Judicial Council will recommend the creation of additional judgeships or changes in circuit boundaries based only upon needs demonstrated through comparative "objective" studies. The Judicial Council will not recommend the addition of a judgeship not requested by the circuit under study unless there is clear and convincing evidence that an additional judgeship is needed. (10/27/1981)
As a matter of policy, the Judicial Council recommends that no new part-time judgeship be created. Because of the advantages of multi-judge circuits, the Judicial Council generally will not recommend the creation of additional circuits. (10/27/1981)
Judgeships
1. Part-time judgeships
As a general rule, part-time judgeships are not an effective method of handling judicial workload. The disadvantages of part-time judgeships are many; a few specific ones are:
a. The cost of training a part-time judge is the same as that of training a full-time judge, but the benefits to the state or local government of training a part-time judge are only a fraction of those realized by training a full-time judge, since a part-time judge will hear only a fraction of the cases heard by a full-time judge receiving the same training. Additionally, part-time judges are generally
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not paid for the time they spend in continuing education. This creates a financial disincentive for parttime judges to attend continuing education, who might ordinarily spend time practicing law or conducting law or conducting other business. (10/27/1981)
b. Conflicts of interest often arise in professional relationships for part-time judges. It is often difficult for other attorneys to litigate against an attorney and have to appear before the same attorney, sitting as judge, the next day. Additionally, cases in which part-time judges are disqualified usually arise in their own court, thus eliminating a large potential portion of their law practice. (10/27/1981)
2. Promotion of Multi-Judge Circuits
Multi-judge courts are more effective organizations for administrative purposes. Some specific advantages of multi-judge courts are:
a. Accommodation of judicial absences. Multi-judge circuits allow better management in the absence of a judge from the circuit due to illness, disqualification, vacation, and the demands of other responsibilities such as continuing legal education. (10/27/1981)
b. More efficient use of jurors. Better use of jury resources can be effected when two judges hold court simultaneously in the same county. One judge in a multi-judge circuit may use the other judge's excess jurors for a trial of a second case rather than excusing them at an added expense to the county. Present courtroom space in most counties may not permit two trials simultaneously; but such a practice, if implemented, may justify the building of a second smaller courtroom by the county affected, or the making of other arrangements. (10/27/1981) (6/11/2010)
c. Accommodation of problems of impartiality or disqualification. A larger circuit with additional judges may permit hometown cases where acquaintances are involved to be considered by an out-of-town judge without the appearance that the local judge is avoiding responsibility. (10/27/1981)
d. Improves court administration. Multi-judge circuits tend to promote impartiality and uniformity of administrative practices and procedures by making court administration something more than the extension of a single judge's personality. Multi-judge circuits also permit economies in the deployment of auxiliary court personnel. (10/27/1981)
e. Expedites handling of cases. Probably most important of all, under the arithmetic of calendar management, the judges of a multi-judge court can handle substantially more cases than an equal number of judges operating in separate courts. Besides the advantage of improved efficiency to be realized through the use of multi-judge circuits, there are also a number of other reasons as to why this approach should be taken. Under the existing law, a new judgeship may be created without the addition of another elected district attorney, although an assistant district attorney is added. However, when the circuit is divided and a new circuit thereby created, another elected district attorney is needed. A second reason supporting the use of multi-judge circuits is that upon division of an existing circuit into two new ones, one new circuit may grow disproportionately to the other, or population or other factors suggesting division may diminish, thus negating the factors which initially led to the division and compounding future problems of adjustment. (10/27/1981)
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Methodology
1. Criteria for Superior Court Judgeship Requests
In establishing the need for additional superior court judgeships, the Judicial Council will consider weighted caseloads per judge for each circuit. If the per judge weighted caseload meets the threshold standards established by the Council for consideration of an additional judgeship, additional criteria will be considered. The threshold standard is a value set by the Judicial Council in open session (06/08/2005). No study will be conducted when a requesting circuit does not meet the threshold criteria established by the Judicial Council. When the AOC determines that a requesting circuit does not meet the minimum criteria, the chief judge of the circuit will be so notified along with information as to how to appeal to the Council's Judicial Workload Assessment Committee and the time frame for such appeal. (6/11/2010)
Additional criteria considered may include, but are not limited to, the following and are not necessarily in the order of importance as listed below:
a. Filings per judge
b. Growth rate of filings per judge
c. Open cases per judge
d. Case backlog per judge
e. Population served per judge
f. Population growth
g. Number and types of supporting courts
h. Availability and use of senior judge assistance
i. Number of resident attorneys per judge
j. Responses to letters to legislators, county commissioners, presidents of local bar associations, district attorneys, and clerks of superior court asking for their input. (8/25/2000)
2. Criteria for Studying Requests to Alter Circuit Boundaries
The criteria used by the Judicial Council in reviewing proposals to alter circuit boundaries will include the following criteria:
a. Weighted Caseload per Judge - After the proposed change in circuit boundaries, caseload should be more evenly distributed. In addition, a proposed circuit's workload should not vary significantly from the statewide average weighted caseload per judge. (10/27/1981)
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b. Caseload Growth Trends - Caseload growth trends should be examined so that an imbalance in growth rates when a circuit boundary is changed will not necessitate a reallocation of resources or alteration of circuit boundaries again in the near future. Such continual shifts in circuit boundaries or resources could be very unsettling and, thereby, significantly reduce judicial efficiency. If a reliable caseload projection method is available, this technique will be used to determine future case filings; if one is not available, caseload growth rates, increases in the number of attorneys per capita, and population projections will be analyzed. The population per judge should be evenly divided among the geographical areas affected by the proposed circuit boundary change if a recommendation is to be made. Secondly, population projections should be examined to insure that disparate population growth rates will not create a great imbalance in the population to be served by each judge within a short period of time from the date of the alteration of the circuit boundaries. Lastly, the population per judge of the altered circuit should not be substantially different from the statewide average population per judge. (10/27/1981) (6/11/2010)
c. Changes in Judicial Travel Time - Travel time diminishes total judicial time available for case processing; therefore, travel time should not be significantly increased for judges in circuits affected by a change in circuit boundaries before such a change should be recommended. Terms of court in and the number of times each county was visited on case-related business by the judges should be determined and these trips should be translated into travel time by using official distances between courthouses and road conditions determined by the Georgia Department of Public Safety. (10/27/1981)
d. Projected Changes in Cost to State and Local Government - Cost savings or additional expenditures required of local and state governing authorities should be determined. Changes in cost for personnel, facilities, and travel should be considered. A recommendation for change should not be made unless additional expenditures required are minimal or balanced by equivalent cost savings. (10/27/1981)
e. Characteristics of populace in areas of circuits sought to be separated, such as rural or urban. (12/11/1981)
f. Operational policies of circuit as presently constituted as might involve inattention to smaller counties in circuit. (12/11/1981)
g. Whether creation of new circuit would obviate necessity of one or two additional judges in parent circuit. (12/11/1981)
h. Travel and other expenses incident to serving smaller counties. (12/11/1981)
i. Alleviation of case assignment problems in larger counties of circuit. (12/11/1981)
j. Population growth of counties of circuit, which would reflect need for new circuit. (12/11/1981)
k. Comparison population per judge in new circuit with standards approved by Judicial Council in recent years. (12/11/1981)
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1. The Judicial Council will presume that a multi-judge circuit is preferred over a single-judge circuit. (12/11/1981)
m. If a county is to be split off from the circuit of which it is a part, the possibilities of adding that county to another circuit should be exhausted prior to the Council's recommending a single-judge circuit. (12/11/1981)
Judicial Council Deliberations
1. Testimony
Judges, legislators, and others deemed appropriate by the Chair shall be invited to make written remarks or present data regarding the need for judgeships or to alter circuit boundaries. Any special circumstance or data of a circuit for which a request is to be made must be brought to the attention of the Judicial Council by a judge of the requesting circuit by June 1 of the year prior to the year of the legislative session during which the judgeship or change in circuit boundaries will be considered. Any request submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered until the following year. The written testimony of the judges, legislators, and other persons shall be reviewed and considered by the Judicial Council in their deliberations regarding judicial resources. Oral arguments will not be made. (6/6/1984) (6/6/2006) (6/11/2010)
2. Final Deliberations
After all written presentations, the Judicial Council and key (AOC) staff, in open session, will discuss the merits of each request. (6/6/1984) (6/11/2010)
3. Staff Presentations
The AOC will present data evaluating the need to add judgeships or to alter circuit boundaries based on Council approved criteria and will make staff recommendations. (10/27/1981)
4. Vote
After final deliberations, the Council will, in open session, approve or disapprove recommended changes in judicial resource allocations. Votes on such motions shall be by secret written ballot. A two-thirds vote of the Council membership present at the session will be required to override an unfavorable recommendation based on the criteria contained in these by-laws (policy). After determining those circuits in which the Council recommends an additional judgeship, the Council will rank the recommendations based on need. Any ranking ballot that does not rank each and every judgeship recommendation presented on the secret ballot shall not be counted. (12/07/2005) (6/11/2010)
5. Length of Recommendations
Upon a recommendation of an additional judgeship or to alter circuit boundaries for a judicial circuit by the Council, the recommendation shall remain approved by the Council for a period of three years, unless the caseload of that circuit decreases ten percent or more. (Rev. 12/13/1996) (6/11/2010)
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6. Disqualifications Any Council member in a circuit or county affected by a Council recommendation shall be
eligible to vote by secret ballot on motions affecting that circuit but shall not be present or participate in the Council's final deliberations regarding his or her circuit. (Rev. 6/6/1984) Dissemination of Recommendations 1. Study of the Need for Additional Superior Court Judgeships
The AOC shall prepare a report, including data required by the Council for their deliberations and Council policy statement, on the Judicial Council's recommendations as to the need for additional superior court judgeships. Such report shall be distributed to the Governor, members of the judiciary and special judiciary committees of the Senate and House, all superior court judges, and other interested parties approved by the Director of the AOC. Additionally, the AOC shall prepare and distribute a press release summarizing the Council's recommendations. (10/27/1981) (6/11/2010) 2. Special Studies of Judicial Resources, Including Alteration of Circuit Boundaries
a. The AOC shall prepare reports on the Judicial Council's recommendations for special studies, including reports on requests to alter circuit boundaries and for judgeships of courts other than the superior court and shall distribute them to the requestor, and, in the discretion of the Director, to other interested parties. (10/27/1981)
b. In preparing special reports, written remarks of judges, legislators, and others deemed appropriate by the Chairperson shall be solicited by the AOC and considered by the Judicial Council. (12/11/1986) (6/11/2010)
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Requests for Pilot Court of Non-Uniform Jurisdiction
Initiation
Recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly for experimental court projects affecting court jurisdiction as contemplated by Georgia Constitution Article VI, Section I, Paragraph X, shall be initiated by a request to the Chairperson of the Judicial Council by the Governor, a member of the General Assembly, or the chief judge of one of the affected courts or governing authority of a county affected. Such requests shall be submitted in writing no later than the June 1 prior to the beginning of the regular session of the General Assembly during which the experimental project legislation will be considered. Such request shall contain a plan for the experiment, which shall include the information set out in the plan requirements in Section IV of this policy. The Administrative Office of the Courts will study this plan, prepare a report of its evaluation based upon the criteria established by the Judicial Council, and make a staff recommendation.
Purpose
The Judicial Council recognizes that court jurisdiction, organization, and procedures evolve to meet changing legal and societal needs. Even so, the Judicial Council is aware that the creation of courts with non-uniform jurisdiction should be recommended only after serious inquiry, careful deliberation, and consideration of the applicability of the project to statewide implementation. A request proposing an experimental court with non-uniform jurisdiction of limited duration should seek recommendation only after developing a clearly articulated goal or set of goals. The following broad list of possible goals and others of a similar nature will generally be given favorable consideration: improvement in the utilization of resources, increased professionalism and accountability, efficient and effective management of cases, consistent and final decision-making, decreased re-litigation of issues, reduction in adversarial proceedings, increased consumer satisfaction, decreased court delay, reduction in overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of services, and improvement in equal access of all parties to the court process.
Policy Statement
The Judicial Council will recommend the creation of experimental court projects involving non-uniform jurisdiction based only upon a carefully developed plan with explicitly stated objectives and including, at a minimum, the elements in Section IV. The court must demonstrate support among the local judicial and legal community for the proposed changes in jurisdiction.
Plan Content
Purpose of Pilot Project
1. Describe conditions or problems that prompted the proposed pilot; and
2. Define objectives and goals of the proposed pilot.
Scope of the Proposed Pilot Project
1. Describe the geographic and subject matter jurisdiction of courts involved in the pilot;
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2. Describe which courts and personnel will participate in the project;
3. Name the project coordinator or coordinating team;
4. Describe the facilities to be used by the pilot courts;
5. Define the services to be provided by the new court structure and contrast it to the current system;
6. Describe the specific agency/organization/individual that will provide these services;
7. Describe funding for the pilot project including current fiscal resources of the courts that will be used to operate the pilot; and
8. Describe the time frame of the pilot project (including starting date, implementation period, evaluation period, and termination date).
Data Collection and Evaluation of Pilot Project
1. Define the method of assigning cases and tracking cases to collect data relevant to determining the success of the pilot;
2. Explain the procedure for obtaining control or baseline data for comparison of the pilot court to the current system;
3. Define the quantifiable variables that can be used to demonstrate the benefits and disadvantages of the pilot and achievement of the pilot's described goals [i.e., measurements of time; measurements of results (e.g., number of appeals, post-judgment actions, consumer satisfaction, permanent placement, recidivism, etc.) and measurements of resources (persons, facilities, monies) needed by the system to be successful]; and
4. Provide for a project evaluation by the project coordinator, Administrative Office of the Courts, or a private contractor to:
a. Assess project advantages and disadvantages;
b. Determine achievement of goals, and decide whether there should be a recommendation for an extension of the pilot, additional pilot sites, or a permanent statewide change is appropriate; and
c. Set out specific requirements of site for the success of the project.
Judicial Council Deliberations
1. Staff Presentations
The Administrative Office of the Courts will present report evaluating the requested project plan based upon the Council's approved criteria and will make staff recommendations.
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2. Testimony Judges, legislators, county and state officials, and others deemed appropriate by the
Chairperson may be invited to make written remarks or to present data regarding the requested project. The written remarks of the judges, legislators, and other interested persons shall be reviewed and considered by the Judicial Council in their deliberations. Oral arguments will not be made. 3. Final Deliberations
After all written presentations, the Judicial Council and key Administrative Office of the Courts staff, in open session, will discuss the merits of each request. 4. Vote
After final deliberations, the Council will, in open session, vote to approve or disapprove the requested project. Votes on such motions shall be by secret written ballot. A majority vote of the Council membership present at the session will be required to approve the request for a recommendation to the Governor and General Assembly. 5. Disqualifications
Any Council member in a circuit or county affected by a Council recommendation shall be eligible to vote by secret ballot on requests affecting that circuit but shall not participate in the Council's final deliberations regarding his or her circuit. 6. Dissemination of Recommendations
The Administrative Office of the Courts shall prepare a report, including data required by the Council for their deliberations and Council policy statement, on the Judicial Council's recommendations. Such report shall be distributed to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, members of the judiciary and special judiciary committees of the Senate and House, and the requestors and other interested parties approved by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Additionally, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall prepare and distribute a press release summarizing the Council's recommendations. Adopted December 8, 1995
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Pilot Project Addendum
The Judicial Council will recommend a pilot project only if it will move the Georgia court system toward consolidation of trial courts into a unified, single-level general jurisdiction trial court such as contemplated by the Report of the Governor's Judicial Processes Review Commission, Justice 2000, of November 1985. Pilots, ultimately, should result in less fragmentation of the system and less overlapping jurisdiction. As long as the pilot is a step toward structural consolidation, the pilot may include variances in procedures and operation that seek to accommodate the local environment.
The Judicial Council will consider a family court pilot only if the pilot adheres to the recommendation of the State Bar of Georgia Commission on Family Courts that the family court be organized as a division of the superior court (general jurisdiction court) rather than as a separate independent court; and it follows, generally, the guidelines and principles outlined in that Commission's report of December 31, 1995.
The Judicial Council will consider the issue of potential and appropriate funding in its decision to recommend a pilot project.
The Administrative Office of the Courts will present an evaluation of the pilot project proposals based on the Council approved criteria and will make staff recommendations. The Judicial Council and key staff members of the Administrative Office of the Courts, in open session, will discuss the pilot project plans and the staff evaluations and recommendations.
After discussion, the Council, in an open session, will entertain motions to approve or disapprove the pilot projects. Votes on such motions shall be by secret written ballot. A majority vote of the Council membership present at the session will be required for approval or disapproval. Any Council member in a circuit or county affected by the Council's recommendation shall be eligible to vote by secret ballot on the motions affecting that circuit or county but shall not participate in the Council's discussions regarding his or her circuit or county.
The Administrative Office of the Courts shall prepare a report including the evaluation of the pilot project and the vote of the Council on that proposal. Such report shall be distributed to the Governor, members of the judiciary and special judiciary committees of the Senate and House, the persons proposing the pilot project, the judges of the courts affected by the pilot project, and other interested parties approved by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Additionally, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall prepare and distribute a press release summarizing the Judicial Council recommendations.
Adopted December 12, 1997
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Appendices
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Appendix 1


Appendix 2


Appendix 3


Appendix 4


Appendix 5


Appendix 6


Appendix 7


Appendix 8


Appendix 9


SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA
Atlanta April 13,2009
The Honorable Supreme Court met pursuant to adjournment.
The following order was passed:
Pursuant to the authority ofOCGA 15-5-20, and the authority ofthis Court, it is hereby ordered that this Court's Order ofAugust 5, 1983, as amended, relating to the membership ofthe Judicial Council ofGeorgia, and beginning,
"Pursuant to the authority," be hereby amended to include the President of the Council of Municipal Court Judges as a voting member of the Judicial Council. Therefore, the second paragraph of the order will be amended to read as follows:
"The membership of the Judicial Council shall be as follows:
ChiefJustice of the Supreme Court of Georgia; Presiding Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia; Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia; Judge of the Court of Appeals selected by the members of that Court; President and president elect of the Council of Superior Court Judges; Ten administrative district judges selected as provided by law (see OCGA
15-5-4);
President and president elect of the Council of State Court Judges; President and president elect of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges; President and president elect of the Council of Probate Court Judges; President and president elect of the Council of Magistrate Court Judges; and President of the Council of Municipal Court Judges. Portions of this Court's previous orders inconsistent with the foregoing are hereby revoked. All other portions of this Court's Order of August 5, 1983, as

amended, shall remain in force and effect, unless otherwise amended by this Court
or by law.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA Clerk's Office, Atlanta

I hereby certify that the above is a true extract from

the minutes of the Supreme Court of Georgia

>1R

Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto

affixed the day and year last above written.

VoJ^Lu^ joCm^^- 'Clerk

Appendix 10



Appendix 11

SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA
Atlanta July 3, 2012
The Honorable Supreme Court met pursuant to adjournment. The following order was passed:
Pursuant to the authority of OCGA 15-5-20, and the authority of this Court, it is hereby ordered that this Court's Order of August 5, 1983, as amended, relating to the membership of the Judicial Council of Georgia, and beginning, "Pursuant to the authority," be hereby amended to include the president elect of the Council of Municipal Court Judges as a voting member of the Judicial Council. Therefore, the second paragraph of the order will be amended to read as follows:
"The membership of the Judicial Council shall be as follows: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia; Presiding Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia; Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia; Judge of the Court of Appeals selected by the members of that Court; President and president elect of the Council of Superior Court Judges; Ten administrative district judges selected as provided by law (see OCGA 15-5-4); President and president elect of the Council of State Court Judges; President and president elect of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges; President and president elect of the Council of Probate Court Judges; President and president elect of the Council of Magistrate Court Judges; and President and president elect of the Council of Municipal Court Judges."

Portions of this Court's previous orders inconsistent with the foregoing are hereby revoked. All other portions of this Court's Order of August 5, 1983, as amended, shall remain in force and effect, unless otherwise amended by this Court or by law.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA Clerk's Office, Atlanta
I hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Supreme Court of Georgia
Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written.