Annual report, fy 2019

Judicial Council Administrative Office of the Courts
ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

The Judicial Council of Georgia was created in 1945 to develop policies for administering and improving Georgia courts. Judicial Council members and committees meet throughout the year to address specific aspects of court administration and improvement. The Judicial Council is made up of 27 members who represent every class of court, plus the President of the State Bar of Georgia, who serves as a non-voting member. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) was created in 1973. As staff to the Judicial Council, the AOC provides subject-matter expertise on policy, court innovation, legislation, and court administration to all Georgia courts.
This report is published by the Judicial Council of Georgia and the Administrative Office of the Courts in compliance with O.C.G.A. 15-5-24.
Chair, Chief Justice Harold D. Melton Director, Cynthia H. Clanton Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts 244 Washington Street SW, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334
Note: This report covers Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019). Names and titles listed in this report are as of those dates and do not reflect changes in leadership or titles before or after those dates.

Overview

2

4

8

10

16

18

Judicial Council

20

and Standing

22

Committees

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Ad Hoc

31

Committees

32

Connected Boards, 34

Committees,

36

Commissions, and 38

Councils

40

42

44

Reports from

46

Appellate Courts

48

and Trial Court

50

Councils

52

54

56

58

59

60

62

Appendix

68

CONTENTS
State of the Judiciary Director's Letter About the AOC Highlights Budget FY 2019 Legislation
Judicial Council Access to Justice Budget Court Reporting Matters Education and Training Grants Judicial Workload Assessment Legislation Strategic Plan Technology
Criminal Justice Reform Committee to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the
Judicial Branch of Government
Council of Accountability Court Judges Commission on Dispute Resolution Committee on Justice for Children Georgia Commission on Child Support Georgia Commission on Interpreters Board of Court Reporting
Supreme Court of Georgia Court of Appeals of Georgia Council of Superior Court Judges Council of State Court Judges Council of Juvenile Court Judges Council of Probate Court Judges Council of Magistrate Court Judges Georgia Magistrate Courts Training Council Council of Municipal Court Judges Georgia Municipal Courts Training Council
Judicial Demographics Judicial Council Interns (inside back cover)

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

State of the Judiciary

Chief Justice Harold D. Melton delivered his first State of the Judiciary Address to the legislature on February 19, 2019.

In Remembrance of Chief Justice Hines Just over two months after retiring from the bench, Chief Justice P. Harris Hines died in a car accident on November 4, 2018. "He was a great lawyer, a great judge, and a great public servant, but most of all he was a great man. Because of the love and kindness he extended so freely to others, the late Chief Justice Hines was loved and cherished by every member of our Court, our Court staff, and by just about every person who met him."
"We are well poised to meet the inevitable changes ahead." Chief Justice Melton observed that as the judgeships in Georgia's appellate courts have recently grown in number, the new jurists have made the courts younger, which will provide stability for years to come as the judiciary works with its legislative and executive branch counterparts "to forge strong relationships to best serve our citizens."

STATE OF THE JUDICIARY

3

"In every generation, we have called upon the rule of law to be a beacon of light..." A sea change has occurred in Georgia's courts over the years. Courts no longer only seek to punish a crime, but they also seek to treat the underlying problem. Criminal justice reform, in which Justice Michael Boggs has been a leader, has made significant improvements in bail practices and sentencing. Accountability Courts have diverted many people out of the pipeline to prison. Volunteer lawyer groups such as the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation have stepped in to improve the education and lives of many disenfranchised young people. All of these efforts contribute to combat the underlying issues of individuals who find themselves in court.
"We do not take this building for granted." The appellate courts will move into the new judicial building by winter 2019. The Chief Justice thanked the legislature for approving and funding Georgia's first state building dedicated solely to the judiciary. "The building looks slightly upward to the Capitol, giving the Legislature the appropriate presumption of righteousness it deserves, but at the same time it looks squarely at the Capitol in readiness to do our jobs."

A flier handed out to legislators outlined every class of court in Georgia.

The new Judicial Building's construction progress as of February 2019.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

From the Director

On behalf of the Judicial Council and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), I am pleased to share the 46th Annual Report covering our work during Fiscal Year 2019. The AOC was created by statute in 1973 to serve the Judicial Council, which is the statewide governing body for the judicial branch of Georgia. The Judicial Council is made up of 26 judges representing all classes of courts and the president of the State Bar of Georgia, who is a non-voting member.
As we approached the end of Fiscal Year 2019 on June 30th, the AOC experienced an unprecedented ransomware attack on our IT servers. While this unfortunate event burdened many judges and staff by disrupting our services, we used this opportunity to start anew and upgrade and strengthen all of our IT systems. We are now stronger and more secure than ever before.
Before the ransomware incident, we had a very productive year serving the Judicial Council, the broader judiciary, and improving the administration of justice. Our services included four Judicial Council meetings held in Marietta, Atlanta (2), and Columbus; numerous committee meetings (see pages 10-15); creation of a new Courts Directory; and the annual case count. We will report the case count for all courts at georgiacourts.gov when the count is completed. Of particular note this year was the creation of the Judicial Council Ad Hoc Committee to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Judicial Branch of Government, which is a unique opportunity for our staff to support the development of a statewide sexual harassment prevention policy for the judiciary.
Our staff successfully shepherded legislation and budget requests through the 2019 legislative session. One such budget

DIRECTOR'S LETTER

5

enhancement expanded our administrative role overseeing grants for legal services for victims of domestic violence to include the administration of grants for legal services to divert at-risk children into kinship care. The Presiding Justice often joined our weekly legislative calls, which kept everyone informed and provided a platform to voice ideas or concerns. With the Judicial Council's recommendation, the Griffin and Gwinnett Circuits were successful in persuading the legislature to grant them new judgeships.
The AOC staff also worked with partners in both the judicial and executive branches, and within the broader community, to provide a variety of services and products, including cohosting the 2018 Child Welfare Summit, the Eliminating Barriers to Justice Conference, the Georgia Council of Court Administrators Conference, the Georgia State Bar, Media & Judiciary Conference, and the 2018 National Association of Court Management Conference. We assisted and livestreamed the Judicial Work at the Interface of Mental Health & Criminal Justice seminar, which was well attended. We continued to collect and analyze important participant data for the Council of Accountability Court Judges, the Child Support Commission, and Parental Accountability Courts. And finally, we hosted a Criminal Record Expungement Clinic in Albany, Georgia, with the faith community, the Dougherty Judicial Circuit Superior Court judges, and Law Library staff.
This year we enhanced the professional and ethical image of the judiciary through a number of creative events and resources. The AOC began a video series to introduce the public to the members of the Judicial Council, created a series of video stories featuring accountability court graduations around the state,

The JC/AOC facilitates many training events across the State. Below:
Attendees gather for the 2018 Child Welfare Conference.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

DIRECTOR'S LETTER CONTINUED

created pictorial essays of a day in the life of a Magistrate Court

judge, and highlighted judges who celebrated Constitution

Day (September 17th), Bill of Rights Day (December 15th),

and Law Day (May 1st) in their communities. These written

and visual stories were profiled in publications and on social

media over the past year, and we thank the judges for patiently allowing us to film their activities. It is vitally important to show and tell the good work being done by Georgia's judges to

Above: The staff at the Administrative Office of the Courts provides support to
every class of court in Georgia.

deliver and improve justice in our state.

The AOC continues to have an international impact as

our relationship with the United States Department of State

and the Republic of Georgia's judiciary continued this year.

Last fall, we welcomed a Mandela Washington Fellow from

Ethiopia, which is a program sponsored by the Department of

State.

As I write this message, we continue to watch the finishing

touches on the new Judicial Building, and we cannot help but

reflect on our loss this year of our beloved Justice Harris Hines,
Judge Matthew McCord delivering his
the former Chair of the Judicial Council and my boss. Like the message at the December staff meeting, "... new building, Justice Hines was a majestic leader who inspired be the hardest on your own opinions, it will
keep you humble."
others by his kind words and good works. He often remarked

how hard work and sincerity could transform a life. Justice

Hines continues to be missed, and I believe his spirit lives on in

our service.

At the AOC's final staff meeting of the calendar year, we

were fortunate to be serenaded by the Council of Municipal Court Judges' President Matthew McCord, who has an

With appreciation and respect,

amazing voice. All our staff found it deeply moving. The daily

work of this agency and my opportunity to lead it always fills

me with purpose, but moments like that bring so much joy to Cynthia Clanton "let it shine, let it shine". It is an honor to serve as the AOC Director

Director. We can and we will improve our services even more Administrative Office of the

in the years to come.

Courts

Thanks to our partner organizations:

DIRECTOR'S LETTER

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

Mission
The Judicial Council and AOC lead collaboration on policy across Georgia's courts to improve the administration of justice in Georgia.
Vision
To improve justice in all Georgia courts through collaboration, innovation, and information. As staff to the Judicial Council of Georgia, the Administrative Office of the Courts provides subject-matter expertise on policy, court innovation, legislation, and court administration to the state's trial and appellate courts. The AOC also furnishes a full range of information technology, budget, and financial services to the judicial branch.
Leadership
Cynthia Clanton is Director of the AOC and the lead of the Director's Division, which is made up of Governmental and Trial Court Liaison led by Tracy Mason; Legal led by Jessica Farah; Human Resources led by Stephanie Hines; and Budget led by Maleia Wilson. The other Divisions of the AOC are: Communications, Children, Families and the Courts, led by Michelle Barclay; Financial Administration, led by Drew Townsend; Information Technology, led by Jorge Basto; and Judicial Services, led by Christopher Hansard.

ABOUT THE AOC

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About the AOC

DIRECTOR'S DIVISION is comprised of Human Resources, Governmental and Trial Court Liaison, General Counsel, and Budget. The Director determines priorities, strategy, and direction of the agency and oversees its divisions.
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION DIVISION provides fiscal services for the Judicial Council, AOC, the state's courts, and other judicial branch organizations. Services provided include: payroll administration, budget preparation and management, audit compliance, invoicing, fixed asset management, and management of accounts receivable and payable. The Financial Administration staff also provides budget data to the Governor's Office and General Assembly on behalf of each Judicial Council budgetary unit.
COMMUNICATIONS, CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE COURTS DIVISION supports court system initiatives and partnerships that improve outcomes for Georgia's most vulnerable citizens children, victims of domestic violence, and families seeking child support. It includes staff support to the Child Support Commission, the Committee on Justice for Children, the Judicial Council Standing Committee on Access to Justice and oversees grant management for victims of domestic violence. A combination of state, federal and private funds finance this work. The staff serves as a liaison to the Council of Accountability Court Judges and the

Georgia Commission on Family Violence. This Division also houses the Communications Department for the entire AOC.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION develops, supports, and enhances automation solutions for all levels of court throughout the State of Georgia. The AOC IT Division offers consulting and research services, provisioning of hardware resources and compliance with legislative mandates as well as keeping up with industry fluctuations and develops, supports and enhances automation projects for all levels of court throughout the State of Georgia.
JUDICIAL SERVICES DIVISION is made up of two offices: Research and Data Analysis, and Court Professionals. Through these two offices, this division provides data-driven analysis of the state's trial courts and oversees the policy and regulatory matters of Georgia's court professionals.
In addition to staffing all the Judicial Council meetings, committees (ad hoc and standing) and connected committees, the AOC provides fiscal, legal, human resource, technology, legislative tracking, research, communication, and liaison services to multiple classes of courts.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

FY 2019 Highlights

While delivering welcoming remarks to the National Association for Court Management, the late Chief Justice Hines offered these words to live by "Be kind. Be kind. Be kind."

Scholarships were provided to Georgia juvenile court judges to attend the NCJFCJ annual conference.

July 2018

Justice Britt Grant appointed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Recommended two new judgeships: Griffin and
Gwinnett Circuits
Records Retention Schedules were approved and forwarded to the State Records
Committee.

Chief Justice Hines presides over his final oral argument on Aug. 7.

A representative from the National Judicial Council
of Nigeria visited.

August 2018

Governor Deal appoints Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren
to the Supreme Court.

Adopted new Judicial Council Legislation Policy

Georgia's Parental Accountability Court received
national recognition from the National Child Support Enforcement Association.

FY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

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On September 4, the investiture ceremony for Chief Justice Harold D. Melton and Presiding Justice David E. Nahmias is held at the State Capitol.

September 2018

Trial judges from the Republic of Georgia visit Cobb County Superior Court.

The Council of Accountability Court Judges holds their biggest annual training conference to date.

Judge Christian Coomer is sworn-in to the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

JC/AOC staffmember Stephanie Chambliss Hines is the recipient of the GCCA President's
Award.

AWARDS
Judge James Bodiford received the Freedom of Information Award
Judge James Whitfield recieved the Judge Aaron Cohn Award
Judge Joseph Iannazonne recieved the Ogden Doremus/Kent Lawrence Award

October 2018
The annual "Eliminating Barriers to Justice" conference was held at Georgia State University with Chief Justice Harold D. Melton delivering the keynote address.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

FY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED

The Ad Hoc Committee on Criminal Justice Reform
meets to work on the Uniform Misdemeanor Citation and Rules.

The Commission on Interpreters meets to review the final draft of a guide designed to standardize the use of interpreters in Georgia's Courts.

November 2018

The Supreme Court holds oral arguments in Albany.

Judge Joseph H. Booth tells his inspiring story to a crowd at the Shepherd Spinal Center.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Adopted the Statewide Minimum Standards and Rules for Electronic Filing and Uniform Transfer Rules, submitted to the Supreme Court for final approval. Adopted Model Uniform Superior Court
Rule 36.16.
Adopted the Uniform Misdemeanor Citation and Rules arising from the Criminal Justice Reform Committee. Submitted to the Supreme Court
for final approval.

The Committee on Justice for Children co-sponsors Georgia's largest child welfare conference to date.

December 2018

Judge Todd Markle is sworn into the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Justice Carol Hunstein retires after 42 years of
public service.

2018 Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Judicial
Operations Manual approved.

FY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

13

Judge M. Yvette Miller endowed the BLSA scholarship fund at Mercer School of Law.

Judge Kenneth Hodges swearing-in ceremony held
at the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

UGA announces plans for the "Be Kind Fund."

January 2019

The Judicial Council's A2J Committee and the State Bar partner to award a grant to UGA Law School for their Access to Justice Initiative.

Many infographics are produced highlighting the work of the
Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts

Chief Justice Harold D. Melton delivers the State of Judiciary Address in the House Chamber on February 19.

A reception hosted by the Judicial Council and the State Bar of Georgia following the State of the Judiciary Address.

February 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Endorsed and adopted NCSC Model Administrative Protocol
for administering interpreter and language programs in trial
courts.
Chief Justice Melton announces the creation of the Ad Hoc Committee to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Judicial Branch. Supreme Court Order was signed
February 13.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

FY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED

Before his tragic passing in August, Judge Stephen Goss delivers the Talarico Lecture at the UGA School of Law. The lecture is named after Judge Goss's former teacher, Susan Talarico.
March 2019

The Waycross Judicial Circuit celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Many JC/AOC committees meet to continue their work, including BCR,
JDEX, Technology, and JWAC.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Laureen Kelly presented on the Southwest Georgia Legal Self-
Help Center.

Georgia's MultiDisciplinary Child Abuse
and Neglect Institute presents at the national
Court Improvement Initiative meeting in D.C.

Approved amendments to the General and Civil Domestic Relations Filing and Disposition
Forms.
New Board of Court Reporting Bylaws approved.

April 2019
April 2, Sine Die at the Capitol.

Commission on Child Support staff teams up with the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies to analyze laws on low income and
parenting time deviation.

FY 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

15

Justice Robert Benham and JC /AOC A2J staff attorney Tabitha Ponder attend the ABA Equal Justice Conference.

The Georgia Council of Court Administrators
holds it spring meeting at Lake Lanier.
May 2019

JC/AOC Division Director Christopher Hansard becomes a Fellow of the Institute of Court Management.

The "Judicial Work at the Interface of Mental Health & Criminal Justice" seminar takes
place and is archived at our Youtube channel.

Juvenile Court Judge Bradley

Boyd and Attorney Nathan

Hayes receive the Lovett

Awards.

FY2019 Georgia

Courts Registrar

Attorney Annissa Patton and

by the numbers

DFCS case manager Jasmine

Spratling receive the 2019 Chief

June

Justice Hines Awards.

2019

Chief Judge Christopher McFadden's investiture is held on June 25.

Georgia Courts Registrar
Active Certified Court reporters: 1,044 Neutrals: 2,604 Interpreters: 161
Newly registered neutrals: 415
Neutral application assists: 555
Certified Court Reporter application assists: 107
Certified process servers application assists: 123 Certified interpreters application assists: 21

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

Budget

FY 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The Amended FY 2019 Judicial Council budget was reduced by $13,194. The legislature made the following adjustments.

Amended Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

Adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services

$

Adjustment to agency premiums for Department of Administrative Services Council of Accountability Court Judges reduction for personal services based on actual start dates

$

Institute of Continuing Judicial Education reduction for personal services based on actual start dates

$

TOTALS

$

The final Amended FY 2019 Judicial Council budget was $15,832,325.

Amount Funded
8,763.00
(9,632.00)
(12,325.00) (13,194.00)

The Judicial Council was appropriated $15,845,519 for Fiscal Year 2020 during the 2019 legislative session. The Judicial Council received $636,885 in enhancements in FY 2020. The enhancements were as follows:

FISCAL YEAR 2020 ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS

Civil Legal Services for Kinship Care

Families: This funding allows Georgia's nonprofit organizations who qualify for the funds through a competitive grant

J4C/Court Reporting Process System

$78,885 $78,885

FUNDED REQUESTED

process to provide legal services for kinship caregivers and at-risk children who would otherwise be placed in foster care.

JC Technology Committee/ Judicial Gateway

$183,000 $250,000

Georgia Judicial Gateway: This funding will be used for additional staff to provide help desk support, vendor contract

J4C/Grants for Civil Legal Services to Kinship Care Families

$375,000 $750,000

management and troubleshooting for the

Judicial Gateway web portal. The Judicial Gateway is a web-based portal that facilitates

access to numerous services provided by both public and private entities. The Portal en-

ables citizens and court professionals to access vital judicial services throughout the state

of Georgia.

Court Process Reporting System: The funding will be used for system enhancements

and upgrades. The CPRS is a system that allows for real-time child welfare data sharing

between the Executive and Judicial branch.

FY 2019 BUDGET

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FY 2020 JUDICIAL BRANCH BUDGET
The entire Judicial Branch was appropriated $138,781,075 for FY 2020 during the 2019 legislative session. This amount accounts for less than 1% of Georgia's annual operating budget.

Healthcare

Other

Judicial Branch

Transportation Education

FISCAL YEAR 2016 - 2020 JUDICIAL BRANCH ANNUAL BUDGETS

AGENCY NAME Court of Appeals Judicial Council Juvenile Courts Superior Courts Supreme Court TOTALS

FY 2016

FY 2017

$ 18,160,948 $ 20,409,238 $

$ 14,414,124 $ 14,690,266 $

FY 2018 21,191,223 15,479,797

FY 2019

FY 2020

$ 21,353,318 $ 22,304,557

$ 15,832,325 $ 16,571,037

$ 7,606,988 $ 7,542,849 $ 8,241,981 $ 8,654,701 $ 9,010,048

$ 69,144,648 $ 72,018,465 $ 72,712,269 $ 73,613,912 $ 75,909,534

$ 10,359,796 $ 11,971,688 $ 13,106,746 $ 14,356,302 $ 14,985,899 $ 119,686,504 $ 126,632,506 $ 130,732,016 $ 133,810,558 $ 138,781,075

$80M $70M $60M $50M $40M $30M $20M $10M

FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020

5 Year Increase

Court of Appeals 23%

Judicial Council 15%

Juvenile Courts 18%

Superior Courts 10%

Supreme Court 16%

16 % Total

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

FY 2019 Legislation

The Judicial Council recommended two judgeships in 2019:
HB 21: Provides for an additional superior court judge in the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit. Final passage.
HB 28: Provides for an additional superior court judge in the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Final passage.
The Judicial Council supported the following legislation:
SB 38: Proposed by the Judicial Council. Requires that new case numbers be given to post-judgment proceedings filed more than 30 days after the initial judgment or dismissal of a case and requiring computerized record-keeping of such post-judgment filings. Final passage (as part of HB 239).
HB 92: Proposed by the Council of Municipal Court Judges. Provides that up to six excess municipal court training hours shall, upon the request of the individual judge, be carried over and applied to the next calendar year. Final passage.
HB 134: Proposed by the superior courts of Fulton, Gwinnett, and Cobb counties. Strikes the provision that law library funds be directed to the general fund in counties with a population of 950,000 or more. Final passage.
HB 257: Proposed by the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. Provides for general substantive and technical changes to the magistrate court. Final passage.
HB 381: Proposed by the Georgia Commission on Child Support, provides for clean-up bill to OCGA 19-6-15 to remove language specifying the use of imputed gross income based on a 40-hour workweek at minimum wage and to reflect changes in Federal law, rules, and regulations. Final passage.
HB 492: Proposed by the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. Provides that applications for the execution of a writ of possession be made within thirty days after its issuance, unless extended by the court for good cause. Final passage.

The Judicial Council

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

Judicial Council of Georgia
Authorized and Directed by Statute (Ga. L. 1945, 1973, 1983, 1984) Created by Supreme Court Order (Amended May 2016) All Judicial Council Members serve Ex-officio. The Director of the AOC is the Secretary to the Judicial Council pursuant to its bylaws.
Chair Chief Justice Harold D. Melton, Supreme Court of Georgia
Vice-Chair Presiding Justice David E. Nahmias, Supreme Court of Georgia

Council Members: Chief Judge Stephen L.A. Dillard, Court of Appeals of Georgia Vice Chief Judge Christopher J. McFadden, Court of Appeals of Georgia Judge Stephen D. Kelley, Superior Court, Brunswick Judicial Circuit Judge Shawn E. LaGrua, Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit Judge Jeffrey H. Kight, Superior Court, Waycross Judicial Circuit Judge James G. Tunison, Jr., Superior Court, Southern Judicial Circuit Judge Arthur Lee Smith, Superior Court, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Judge Asha Jackson, Superior Court, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit Judge Robert C.I. McBurney, Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit Judge Geronda V. Carter, Superior Court, Clayton Judicial Circuit, Judge Ralph Van Pelt, Jr., Superior Court, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Judge Donald W. Gillis, Superior Court, Dublin Judicial Circuit Judge Bonnie Chessher Oliver, Superior Court, Northeastern Judicial Circuit Judge Carl C. Brown, Superior Court, Augusta Judicial Circuit Judge Nancy Bills, State Court, Rockdale County Judge T. Russell McClelland, State Court, Forsyth County Judge Philip Spivey, Juvenile Court, Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Judge Juliette Scales, Juvenile Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit Judge Sarah S. Harris, Probate Court, Bibb County Judge Torri M. Hudson, Probate Court, Treutlen County Judge Glenda Dowling, Magistrate Court, Pierce County Judge Joyette Holmes, Magistrate Court, Cobb County Judge Matthew McCord, Municipal Court, City of Stockbridge Judge Dale R. "Bubba" Samuels, Municipal Court, City of Monroe Brian D. "Buck" Rogers, Attorney, Designee for President of State Bar of Georgia (Non-Voting Member)
Judicial Council members as of June 30, 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA

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The Judicial Council in December, 2018

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA
STANDING COMMITTEES

Access to Justice (A2J)
Staff to Committee: Tabitha Ponder
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
Robert Benham Charles J. Bethel Bill Adams MJ Blakely Verda Colvin Clarence Cuthpert
Tony DelCampo
Sara L. Doyle V. Sharon Edenfield, Esq Belinda Edwards Jana Edmondson-Cooper
Terica Redfield Ganzy
Mike Jacobs Tracy Johnson Monica Khant, Esq. Ethan Pham Esq Brendon Shaw Rhodes

Role
Supreme Court Justice Supreme Court Justice Attorney Attorney Superior Court Judge Probate Court Judge
Attorney
Appeals Court Judge Attorney Superior Court Judge Attorney
Attorney
State Court Judge Executive Director Attorney Municipal Court Judge Magistrate Court Judge

Location
Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide Macon Circuit

Position
Co-Chair Co-Chair State Bar of Georgia Representative Gate City Bar Association Superior Court Representative

Rockdale County

Probate Court Representative

Statewide

Georgia Hispanic Bar Association Representative

Statewide

Court of Appeals Representative

Statewide

State Bar, Young Lawyers Division

Atlanta Circuit

Superior Court Representative

Statewide

Georgia Commission on Interpreters

Statewide

Georgia Association of Black Women Lawyers Representative

DeKalb County

Stonewall Bar Association Representative

Office of Dispute Resolution Georgia Commission on Interpreters

Statewide

State Bar, Young Lawyers Division

City of Morrow

Municipal Court Representative

Fulton County

Magistrate Court Representative

Will Simmons

District Court Administrator 6th Judicial Circuit

Clerk/Court Administrator Representative

Jason B. Thompson Maureen Wood Heather Wright Kristina Blum Latisha Dear Jackson* Karlise Grier Vicky Ogawa Kimbrell Cassandra Kirk Mike Monahan

State Court Judge Juvenile Court Judge Attorney Magistrate Court Judge Superior Court Judge Executive Director Attorney Magistrate Court Judge Attorney

Fayette County Rockdale Circuit Statewide Gwinnett County DeKalb County CJCP Statewide Fulton County Statewide

Fayette Bar, Young Lawyers Division Juvenile Court Representative Georgia Commission on Interpreters Advisory Member Advisory Member Advisory Member Advisory Member Advisory Member Advisory Member

*Municipal Court Representative until taking Superior Court Bench in January 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES

23

Budget
Staff to Committee: Maleia Wilson
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
Michael P. Boggs Charlie Bethel Shawn LaGrua Joseph C. Iannazzone Juliette Scales T.J. Hudson Joyette Holmes Dale "Bubba" Samuels Maria Golick Mike Greene

Role
Supreme Court Justice Court of Appeals Judge Superior Court Judge State Court Judge Juvenile Court Judge Probate Court Judge Magistrate Court Judge Municipal Court Judge State Court Judge Probate Court Judge

Location
Statewide Statewide Atlanta Circuit Gwinnett County Atlanta Circuit Treutlen County Cobb County City of Monroe Cobb County Jones County

Ted N. Echols

Municipal Court Judge McDonough

Cynthia Clanton Shannon Weathers Bob Bray Eric John Kevin Holder Sharon Reiss

Director Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director

Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide

Position
Chair Vice-Chair Member, President-Elect, Council of Superior Court Judges Member, President-Elect, Council of State Court Judges Member, President-Elect, Council of Juvenile Court Judges Member, First Vice President, Council of Probate Court Judges Member, First Vice President, Council of Magistrate Court Judges Member, President-Elect of the Council of Municipal Court Judges Advisory Member, Budget Chair of Council of State Court Judges Advisory Member, Budget Chair of Council of Probate Court Judges Advisory Member, Budget Chair of Council of Municipal Court Judges Advisory Member, JC/AOC Advisory Member, Council of Superior Court Judges Advisory Member, Council of State Court Judges Advisory Member, Council of Juvenile Court Judges Advisory Member, Council of Probate Court Judges Advisory Member, Council of Magistrate Court Judges

Mission
The Budget Committee handles the initial review of Judicial Council, AOC, and all subprogram budgets and recommends continuation funding and enhancement requests to the Judicial Council for approval.

Mission
The Access to Justice Committee improves the public's trust by focusing on access and fairness through the elimination of systemic barriers in the judicial system related to gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, indigence, and language.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA STANDING COMMITTEES CONTINUED

Court Reporting Matters
Staff to Committee: John Botero
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
Christopher J. McFadden Kathy S. Palmer Verda M. Colvin Jane Morrison John K. Edwards Robin W. Shearer Linnie Darden, III Sarah S. Harris W. Allen Wigington James Anderson, III

Role
Court of Appeals Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge State Court Judge State Court Judge Juvenile Court Judge Juvenile Court Judge Probate Court Judge Magistrate Court Judge Municipal Court Judge

Location
Statewide Middle Circuit Macon Circuit Fulton Circuit Lowndes County Western Circuit Atlantic Circuit Bibb County Pickens County City of Norcross

Position
Chair Superior Court Representative Superior Court Representative State Court Representative State Court Representative Juvenile Court Representative Juvenile Court Representative Probate Court Representative Magistrate Court Representative Municipal Court Representative

Mission
The Court Reporting Matters Committee acts on behalf of the Judicial Council in handling appeals from decisions of the Board of Court Reporting; reviews and recommends changes to court reporting rules and fee schedules; approves Board of Court Reporting opinions;
and recommends candidates for Board of Court Reporting membership.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES

25

Education and Training
Staff to Committee: Stephanie Hines
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
Brian Rickman A. Gregory Poole Nancy Bills Stacey K. Hydrick C. Gregory Price T.J. Hudson Mary Kathryn Moss Margaret Washburn

Role
Court of Appeals Judge Superior Court Judge State Court Judge State Court Judge Juvenile Court Judge Probate Court Judge Magistrate Court Judge Municipal Court Judge

Location
Statewide Cobb Circuit Rockdale County DeKalb County Rome Circuit Treutlen County Chatham County City of Sugar Hill

Position
Chair Vice Chair State Court Representative State Court Representative Juvenile Court Representative Probate Court Representative Magistrate Court Representative Municipal Court Representative

Mission
The Standing Committee on Education and Training recommends best practices in training and education of trial court judges to the Judicial Council.

26

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA STANDING COMMITTEES CONTINUED

Grants
Staff to Committee: Meisa Pace
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
William T. Boyett Melanie B. Cross Anne Barnes Jeannette L. Little William P. Bartles Melanie Bell Cassandra Kirk Graham McKinnon IV Verda M. Colvin Linda Klein Jennifer Thomas Jody Overcash

Role
Superior Court Judge

Location
Conasauga Circuit

Superior Court Judge

Tifton Circuit

Court of Appeals Judge

Statewide

State Court Judge

Troup County

Juvenile Court Judge

Flint Circuit

Probate Court Judge

Twiggs County

Magistrate Court Judge

Fulton County

Municipal Court Judge

City of Braselton

Accountability Court Judge

Macon Circuit

Attorney

Fulton County

Georgia Commission on Family Violence Statewide

District Court Administrator

7th Judicial District

Position
Chair Vice Chair Court of Appeals Representative State Court Representative Juvenile Court Representative Probate Court Representative Magistrate Court Representative Municipal Court Representative Accountability Court Representative State Bar Representative Advisory Member Advisory Member

Mission The Standing Committee on Grants administers grant funds awarded to the Judicial Council or Administrative Office of the Courts, and reviews applications for those funds. This Committee is a successor to the Judicial Council Domestic Violence Committee.

GRANTS COMMITTEE MILESTONES FOR 2019
The Committee awarded funds for: Providing 6,662 families with civil
legal services
Safeguarding 3,092 children
Obtaining 3,557 Temporary Protective Orders
Providing 742 clients with housing
assistance
Providing assistance with 354
Divorce Proceedings

JUDICIAL COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES

27

Judicial Workload Assessment
Staff to Committee: Christopher Hansard
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
David T. Emerson Russell Smith Stephen Kelley Denise Marshall Edward Lukemire J.P. Boulee Robert McBurney Kathryn Powers William Boyett Kathy Palmer Bonnier Oliver Sheryl B. Jolly Michelle L.H. Homier LeRoy Burke, III Annie Doris Holder Robert Turner Garland Moore Will Simmons Bob Nadekow Connie Cheatham April Garrett Todd Ashley Charles Bethel

Role
Superior Court Judge

Location
Douglas Circuit

Position
Chair

Superior Court Judge

Mountain Circuit Vice Chair

Superior Court Judge

Brunswick Circuit 1st District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Dougherty Circuit 2nd District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Houston Circuit

3rd District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Stone Mountain Circuit 4th District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Atlanta Circuit

5th District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Clayton Circuit

6th District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Conasauga Circuit 7th District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Middle Circuit

8th District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Northeastern Circuit 9th District Representative

Superior Court Judge

Augusta Circuit

10th District Representative

State Court Judge

Cherokee County State Court Representative

Juvenile Court Judge

Eastern Circuit

Juvenile Court Representative

Probate Court Judge

Calhoun County Probate Court Representative

Magistrate Court Judge

Houston County Magistrate Court Representative

Municipal Court Judge

City of Conyers

Municipal Court Representative

District Court Administrator

6th District

Advisory Member

District Court Administrator

8th District

Advisory Member

Clerk of Superior Court

McDuffie County Advisory Member

Clerk of Superior Court

Cook County

Advisory Member

Deputy Director, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council Statewide

Advisory Member

Supreme Court

Statewide

Advisory Member

Mission The Judicial Workload Assessment Committee determines the methodology for analysis of data collected through annual trial court case counts. Additionally, based on staff studies, the Committee makes recommendations to the Judicial Council on the need for additional judicial personnel.

28

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA STANDING COMMITTEES CONTINUED

Legislation
Staff to Committee: Tracy Mason
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
David E. Nahmias

Role
Presiding Justice

Stephen L. A. Dillard Chief Judge

Stephen Kelley

Superior Court Judge

Nancy Bills

State Court Judge

Philip S. Spivey

Juvenile Court Judge

Sarah Harris

Probate Court Judge

Glenda Dowling

Magistrate Court Judge

Matthew McCord

Municipal Court Judge

William Hamrick

Superior Court Judge

Wesley Tailor

State Court Judge

Al Wong

State Court Judge

Bradley Boyd

Juvenile Court Judge

Rooney Bowen

Probate Court Judge

Alice Padgett

Probate Court Judge

Connie Holt

Magistrate Court Judge

Betsey Kidwell

Magistrate Court Judge

Charles Barrett

Municipal Court Judge

Tommy Bobbitt

Municipal Court Judge

Cynthia Clanton

Director

Shannon Weathers Executive Director

Bob Bray Eric John

Executive Director Executive Director

Kevin Holder

Executive Director

Sharon Reiss

Executive Director

Brian "Buck" Rogers President Designee

Location
Statewide Statewide Brunswick Circuit Rockdale County Ocmulgee Circuit Bibb County Pierce County City of Stockbridge Coweta Circuit Fulton County DeKalb County Fulton County Dooly County Columbia County Morgan County Heard County City of Duluth City of Dublin Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide Statewide

Position
Chair
Vice Chair
Member, President of the Council of Superior Court Judges
Member, President of the Council of State Court Judges
Member, President of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges
Member, President of the Council of Probate Court Judges Member, President of the Council of Magistrate Court Judges Member, President of the Council of Municipal Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Chair of Council of Superior Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Co-Chair of Council of State Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Co-Chair of Council of State Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Chair of Council of Juvenile Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Chair of Council of Probate Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Chair of Council of Probate Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Co-Chair of Council of Magistrate Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Co-Chair of Council of Magistrate Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Co-Chair of Council of Municipal Court Judges Advisory Member, Legislative Co-Chair of Council of Municipal Court Judges Advisory Member, JC/AOC
Advisory Member, Council of Superior Court Judges
Advisory Member, Council of State Court Judges
Advisory Member, Council of Juvenile Court Judges
Advisory Member, Council of Probate Court Judges
Advisory Member, Council of Magistrate Court Judges
Advisory Member, State Bar of Georgia

JUDICIAL COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES

29

Strategic Plan
Staff to Committee: Jessica Farah Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order Includes subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Judicial Operations

Name
W. Allen Wigington Sara L. Doyle Horace J. Johnson, Jr. H. Gregory Fowler James R. Whitfield Chase Daughtrey James M. Anderson III Keith R. Blackwell Michael P. Boggs

Role
Magistrate Court Judge Court of Appeals Judge Superior Court Judge State Court Judge Senior Juvenile Court Judge Probate Court Judge Municipal Court Judge Supreme Court Justice Supreme Court Justice

Location
Pickens County Statewide Alcovy Circuit Chatham County Statewide Cook County Norcross Statewide Statewide

Position
Chair Co-Chair Member Member Member Member Member Advisory Member Advisory Member

Mission The mission of the Strategic Plan Standing Committee is to create and implement a Judicial Council strategic plan. The committee implements the initiatives of the strategic plan through the staff of the AOC. Work under the FY17-19 strategic plan was completed in July 2019.
Mission
The Legislation Committee reviews legislation affecting the judicial branch and recommends policy positions to the Judicial Council where appropriate.

Strategic Plan Highlights (FY17-19)
Developed the Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Judicial Operations Manual to assist with business continuity and succession planning.
Conducted Twitter Town Halls and began publishing the Georgia Courts Journal electronically to promote the use of technology as an effective communication tool.
Identified and promoted opportunities for judges to interact with communities via Law Day coloring contests and Day on the Bench events to enhance the professional and ethical image of the judiciary in the community.
Continued to focus on communications with the executive and legislative branches and stakeholders to encourage ongoing communications and initiatives of mutual interest.
The Strategic Plan Committee is established with three year terms. The terms of committee members listed above concluded at the end of FY19.

30

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA STANDING COMMITTEES CONTINUED

Technology
Staff to Committee: Kristy King
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws, Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
Harold D. Melton

Role
Chief Justice

Location
Statewide

Position
Chair

David T. Emerson Superior Court Judge

Douglas Circuit

Vice Chair

Ken Shigley

Attorney

Fulton County

State Bar Representative

Jeff Kuester

Attorney

Fulton County

State Bar Representative

Jorge Basto

Administrative Office of the Courts Fulton County

AOC Representative

Sheila Studdard

Clerk of Superior Court

Fayette County

Council of Superior Court Clerks Representative

Cindy Mason

Clerk of Superior Court

Columbia County Clerks' Cooperative Authority Representative

Rebecca Keaton

Clerk of Superior Court

Cobb County

Clerks' Cooperative Authority Representative

Carla McMillian

Court of Appeals Judge

Statewide

Court of Appeals Representative

Stephen Kelley

Superior Court Judge

Brunswick Circuit Superior Court Judge Representative

Diane Bessen

State Court Judge

Fulton County

State Court Judge Representative

Bobby Simmons

Juvenile Court Judge

Clayton Circuit

Juvenile Court Judge Representative

Patty Laine

Probate Court Judge

Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Representative

James Altman

Magistrate Court Judge

Fulton County

Magistrate Court Judge Representative

Margaret Washburn Municipal Court Judge

City of Sugar Hill Municipal Court Judge Representative

T.J. Bement

District Court Administrator

10th District

Council of Court Administrators Representative

Jesse Stone

State Senator

23rd District

Senate Representative

Vacant

State Representative

House Representative

Vacant

Governor's Office

Governor's Representative

Dennis Dunn

Attorney General's Office

Fulton County

Attorney General's Representative

Mission
The Standing Committee on Technology provides guidance and oversight for the Judicial Council's technology initiatives.

Mission
The Judicial Council Ad Hoc Committee on Criminal Justice Reform was established in August 2018 for the purposes of complying with the directives within SB 407 (2018) relative to the duties of the Judicial Council, and to provide statewide judicial leadership regarding previous criminal justice policies enacted upon the recommendations made by
the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform from 2011 through 2018.

31
JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA
AD HOC COMMITTEES

Criminal Justice Reform
Staff to Committee: Tracy Mason
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws. Created by Supreme Court Order

Name
Michael P. Boggs

Role
Supreme Court Justice

Location
Statewide

Position
Chair

Amanda Mercier

Court of Appeals Judge Statewide

Member

Paige Reese Whitaker

Superior Court Judge

Atlanta Circuit

Member

Ben Studdard

Superior Court Judge Henry County

Member

Shondeana Crews Morris State Court Judge

DeKalb County

Member

Juliette Wiltshire Scales Juvenile Court Judge Atlanta Circuit

Member

Rooney Bowen

Probate Court Judge

Dooly County

Member

W. Allen Wigington

Magistrate Court Judge Pickens County

Member

Matthew McCord

Municipal Court Judge Stockbridge

Member

LaTisha Dear Jackson

Municipal Court Judge Stone Mountain

Member

Brenda S. Weaver

Superior Court Judge Appalachian Circuit Member

Dawn Jones

Attorney

State Bar of Georgia Member

Joyce Gist Lewis

Attorney

Atlanta

Member

Tracy "T.J." BeMent

District Court Administrator Tenth Judicial District Member

Carey Miller

Executive Counsel

Office of the Governor Member

Blake Tillery

State Senator

District 19

Member

Chuck Efstration

State Representative District 104

Member

Cynthia Clanton

Director

Statewide

Advisory Member, JC/AOC

Shannon Weathers

Executive Director

Statewide

Advisory Member, Council of Superior Court Judges

Bob Bray

Executive Director

Statewide

Advisory Member, Council of State Court Judges

Eric John

Executive Director

Statewide

Advisory Member, Council of Juvenile Court Judges

Kevin Holder

Executive Director

Statewide

Advisory Member, Council of Probate Court Judges

Sharon Reiss

Executive Director

Statewide

Advisory Member, Council of Magistrate Court Judges

Maryellen Simmons

Public Defender

Coweta Circuit

Advisory Member, Georgia Public Defender Council

Robert W. Smith

General Counsel

Statewide

Advisory Member, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council

Wayne Purdom

State Court Judge

DeKalb County

Advisory Member

32

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA AD HOC COMMITTEES CONTINUED

Committee to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Judicial Branch of Government
Staff to Committee: Stephanie Hines
Authorized by Judicial Council Bylaws. Created by Supreme Court Order

Name

Role

Sarah Hawkins Warren Supreme Court Justice

Carla McMillan

Court of Appeals Judge

Horace J. Johnson

Superior Court Judge

Dax E. Lopez

State Court Judge

Maureen E. Wood

Juvenile Court Judge

T.J. Hudson

Probate Court Judge

Joyette Holmes

Magistrate Court Judge

Matthew McCord

Municipal Court Judge

Edwin Bell

Court Administrator

Jamala McFadden

Attorney

Shelley Seinberg

Attorney

Rebecca Sullivan

General Counsel

Location
Statewide

Position
Chair

Statewide

Court of Appeals Representative

Alcovy Circuit

Superior Court Representative

DeKalb County

State Court Representative

Rockdale Circuit Juvenile Court Representative

Treutlen County

Probate Court Representative

Cobb County

Magistrate Court Representative

City of Stockbridge Municipal Court Representative

DeKalb County

Advisory Member

Statewide

Advisory Member

Office of the Attorney General

Advisory Member

DOAS

Advisory Member

Mission
The Judicial Council Ad Hoc Committee to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Judicial Branch of Government was established
to research, examine, and evaluate best practices and encourage each class of court, and corresponding court councils, to establish
and maintain sexual harassment policies.

Chief Justice Harold D. Melton signed the order creating the
Committee on February 13, 2018. Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren serves as chair.

Connected Boards,
Committees, Commissions,
and Councils

34

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

CONNECTED BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS and COUNCILS

Council of Accountability Court Judges
Taylor Jones, Executive Director
gaaccountabilitycourts.org

Leadership

Name
Brenda Weaver Kathlene F. Gosselin Jason Deal Jeffrey S. Bagley James F. Bass Jr. Mary Staley Clark Verda M. Colvin Reuben M. Green T. Russell McClelland D. Scott Smith Alison W. Toller

Role
Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge State Court Judge Superior Court Judge Juvenile Court Judge

Location
Appalachian Circuit Northeastern Circuit Northeastern Circuit Bell-Forsyth Circuit Eastern Circuit Cobb Circuit Macon Circuit Cobb Circuit Forsyth County Cherokee Circuit Northeastern

Position
Chair Vice-Chair Immediate Past President Executive Committee member Executive Committee member Executive Committee member Executive Committee member Executive Committee member Executive Committee member Executive Committee member Executive Committee member

Mission
To improve the quality, accessibility, and administration of Accountability Courts. The CACJ strives to set goals that include achievable expectations; make efficient use of resources that adhere to evidencebased research and leading practices, work to enhance public safety, and that are transparent to all.

Highlights

Implemented seven new accountability

courts in FY19, bringing the total number of

certified/funded courts up to 163.

Piloted a new blended learning and strategic

action planning protocol to complement the

Above, top: the Executive Committee on stage with Governor Deal at the 2018 Training Conference.

existing peer review process.

Bottom: recipients of the 2018 Star Award.

COUNCIL OF ACCOUNTABILITY COURT JUDGES

35

Hosted our second Mental Health Court Hosted 22 accountability court teams for

Start-up Training. This training is designed an annual operational tune-up training.

for the implementation of Mental Health

These trainings revisit team roles, selecting

Court programs to provide the new team

the right participants, evidenced-based

members foundational training to operate treatment, and legal issues.

new programs.

The council examined the previous year's

The Carl Vinson Institute released the

(FY 2018) data. Some of the positive

CACJ Processes and Outcomes report. The report outlines the positive impacts of

impacts found were:
99 families reunited due to accountability

accountability courts to participants and their communities. Studies in the report

courts;
93 drug free babies born to female

showed:
Those that graduate do far better than those

participants, who otherwise would have likely been born with Neonatal Abstinence

that are terminated;
Recidivism rates of offenders that have just
some participation in an accountability

Syndrome, thereby saving approximately $5,877,600;
In FY 2019, accountability courts served

court program are lower compared to

29 percent more participants than in

similarly-situated offenders who did not

FY 2018, expanding the potential benefits

participate in a program; and
Taken together these studies show that any

of these courts to Georgia and its citizens.

amount of participation in an accountability

court, regardless of completions, leads to reduced recidivism, which is consistent with national findings.

An excerpt from the Processes and Outcomes
report shows the many benefits of Accountability
Courts.

The CACJ Annual Conference brings together judges, court professionals, treatment providers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders for extensive training. The September 2018 conference was the largest yet with approximately 1,200 attendees.

36

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

CONNECTED BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS and COUNCILS

Commission on Dispute Resolution
Tracy Johnson, Executive Director; Karlie Sahs, Program Manager
godr.org

Leadership
Chairperson
Judge Jane C. Barwick
Commission Members
Justice Keith R. Blackwell Justice Britt C. Grant Judge Amanda H. Mercier Judge Charles E. Auslander, III Emily S. Bair, Esq. Raymond G. Chadwick, Jr., Esq. Mary Donovan, Esq. Judge C. Andrew Fuller Herbert H. (Hal) Gray, III, Esq. Melissa C. Heard, M.S.S.W. Timothy Hedeen, Ph.D. Nicole Hull, Esq. Judge M. Cindy Morris Patrick T. O'Connor, Esq. Rep. Jay Powell, Esq. Edith B. Primm, Esq. Judge Renata Turner Randall Weiland
After 6 years as the chair of the Commission, Judge Charles Auslander passed the gavel to Judge Jane Barwick in February 2019.

Mission
The Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution (GCDR) is a policy-making body appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia charged with leading a statewide system of court alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs.
Highlights
There are currently 41 court ADR programs in Georgia offering high-quality, cost-effective alternatives to traditional litigation. These services cover 93 of the 159 counties and utilize neutrals registered through the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in a range of categories that include general civil mediation, domestic relations mediation, specialized domestic violence, arbitration, early neutral evaluation, juvenile dependency and juvenile delinquency. As of June 30, 2019, there were 2,521 registered neutrals. The partnership between neutrals, programs, and the Commission creates a comprehensive network that benefits taxpayers, litigants, attorneys, judges, and courts.
25th Annual ADR Institute and 2018 Neutrals' Conference: The Institute was held Friday, December 7, 2018, at the State Bar of Georgia. There were 272 attendees in total. The keynote speaker was Professor Andrea Kupfer Schneider, Director of the Dispute Resolution Program at Marquette University Law School, with her presentation "What's Sex Got to do with it? Effective Negotiation Skills for All". Here, GCDR and the Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Georgia also presented the 2018 Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke Award to Raye Rawls, Esq. in

COMMISSION ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION

37

recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of alternative dispute resolution in Georgia.
New Rules for Mediating Cases with Domestic Violence: In a joint effort by GCDR and the Georgia Commission on Family Violence to update the mediation rules concerning screening practices for cases in which intimate partner violence/abuse (domestic violence) is present, the GCDR approved new Rules for Mediating Cases with Domestic Violence, effective January 1, 2021.
Changes in GCDR Leadership: The Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution has a new chair, after long-serving AthensClarke County State Court Judge Charles E. Auslander stepped down. Judge Auslander was appointed to the Commission in 2006 and led as chair since 2012. Judge Auslandera UGA "Double Dawg"- passed the gavel to Chair-Elect Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Jane C. Barwick, in a ceremony during a February 13 Commission meeting at the University of Georgia's Law School on his home turf: Athens. The Commission also recognized outgoing members Ms. Stefani R. Lacour, Esq. and Ms. Vjollca Prroni Young, LL.M., and Justice Keith R. Blackwell ushered in the Commission's new members, as appointed by the Supreme Court: Fulton County Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Renata Turner, Ms. Nicole W. Hull, Esq., and Mr. Randall Weiland. The Supreme Court has also approved the addition of a new seat on the Commission to ensure the permanent designation of a ADR court program director.

25th Anniversary: The Supreme Court Order adopting the ADR Rules, including the creation of GCDR and GODR, was filed on January 27, 1993. This order established a new precedent for handling conflict in Georgia, "providing for the speedy, efficient, and inexpensive resolution of disputes and prosecutions." To commemorate the special occasion, GCDR:
Commissioned a Special Anniversary seal; Published and distributed "The First 25
years" a History of the Commission;
Hosted seven (7) continuing education
events around the state; and
Offered five (5) scholarships for 2018
registration renewal fees.

2018 ADR Program Directors Conference:

The conference was held September 19-21,

in Athens. In all, 25 representatives from

court ADR programs and nine Commission

Members were in attendance.

"The First 25 Years" is a thorough compendium of
the Commission's history.

THE GEORGIA COMMISSION ON 25

DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
YFIERASRTS

Below, left to right: Justice Keith Blackwell administers the oath to new Commission members Judge Renata Turner, Ms. Nicole W. Hull, Esq., and Mr. Randall Weiland.

@9BMJ8ZU(WJTRSXJYN(YZTYZNTWWSYJXTXMTKFQYZQMQYJNT8SUYWFTTYK[JINITNXJKU,KZTJYWJTYXWMLFJNFSXIU&JUWJYWNTIHX^QJJJH;KZ.YHN8TNJJSHSXYYNTFSS.I=NS5JF]

38

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

CONNECTED BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS and COUNCILS

Committee on Justice for Children
Authorized and Created by the Supreme Court Staff to the Committee: Jerry Bruce georgiacourts.gov/j4c/

Name
David E. Nahmias Kim Anderson Mandi Ballinger Michael Boggs W. Bradley Bryant Christopher Carr Lindsay Caulfield Stephen Louis A. Dillard Darice Good Chuck Efstration Britt Hammond Jennifer King Amanda Heath Dr. Sharon L. Hill Glen Jackson Michael Key Debra Nesbit Nealie McCormick Gary McGiboney Avery Niles Mary Margaret Oliver Rachel Davidson Lisa Jones Tom Rawlings Juliette Scales Phil Spivey Catherine Vandenberg Talley Wells Wendell Willard Robert Wright Stephanie Zaic

Role
Supreme Court Justice

Location
Statewide

Position
Chair

Attorney

Fulton County

Member

State Representative

Bartow County Member

Supreme Court Justice

Statewide

Member

Georgia Student Finance Commission

Fulton County

Member

Attorney General

Statewide

Member

Grady Health System

Fulton County

Member

Court of Appeals Judge

Statewide

Member

Attorney

Fulton County

Member

State Representative

Gwinnett County Member

Superior Court Judge

Toombs Circuit

Member

Georgia CASA

Fulton County

Member

Juvenile Court Judge

Augusta Circuit Member

Georgia State University

Fulton County

Member

Co-Founder, Jackson Spalding

Fulton County

Member

Juvenile Court Judge

Coweta Circuit

Member

Association of County Commissioners

Fulton County

Member

Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns Mitchell County Member

Georgia Department of Education

Fulton County

Member

Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

Statewide

Member

State Representative

DeKalb County Member

Georgia Office of the Child Advocate

Statewide

Member

Juvenile Court Judge

Southwestern Circuit Member

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services Statewide

Member

Juvenile Court Judge

Atlanta Circuit

Member

Juvenile Court Judge

Ocmulgee Circuit Member

Atlanta Legal Aid

Fulton County

Member

Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Statewide

Member

State Representative

Fulton County

Member

Bishop, Episcopal Diocese, Atlanta

Fulton County

Member

Attorney

Towns County

Member

COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN

39

Mission:
Striving to improve justice for children and families within the child welfare legal system.
Highlights:
Continued to expand our two-day MultiDisciplinary Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (MD-CANI) training to reach over 1300 stakeholders, from 50 different Georgia counties. This is a two-day training that covers best practices during the entirety of a dependency case from intake through permanency. Co-sponsoring the third annual Child Welfare Legal Summit in November 2019, in partnership with the Office of the Child Advocate and the Division of Family and Children Services, with an anticipated 800 attendees. Honorable Scott Bernstein of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will be the keynote speaker. Secured $375,000 in funding from the legislature to support legal services for kinship caregivers, provided by legal service providers across the state. These services will likely prevent more children from entering foster care. Continued managing a three-year Quality Improvement federal grant in Douglas County, which serves pregnant women, or new mothers, who are substance exposed.

By providing holistic services to these women, the children born to these mothers avoid being taken into care. Continued to support the Cold Case Project which reviews over 300 long-term foster care cases each year, to help these children overcome barriers and achieve permanency. Continue to support the 57 Georgia Child Welfare Law Specialists with bi-annual trainings and scholarships. Provided stakeholder educational opportunities at two Court Improvement Initiative meetings for approximately 100 stakeholders attending from 17 jurisdictions. Continued work to enhance the Court Process Reporting System (CPRS) to meet the growing needs of its user base, including its largest users, CASAs and judges. Promoted awareness of the importance of child welfare work by awarding the annual Hines Award to one child welfare attorney and one child welfare case manager. The awards were presented by Presiding Justice Nahmias at the Georgia State Bar meeting in Orlando.
The Committee and staff facilitate many trainings across Georgia on matters of child welfare. Below, L to R: Judge Michael Key presents at a Multi-displinary Child Abuse and Neglect Institute, Presiding Justice Nahmias keynotes the 2018 Child Welfare Conference, Jerry Bruce hosts a discussion about juvenile alternative dispute resolution issues.

40

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

CONNECTED BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS and COUNCILS

Georgia Commission on Child Support
Staff to the Commission: Elaine Johnson Created and authorized by O.C.G.A. 19-6-50, 53 georgiacourts.gov/csc/

Name
R. Michael Key Timothy Barr Vacant Anne Elizabeth Barnes Charles Clay Kathleen Connell Chuck Hufstetler Emanuel Jones Lisa C. Jones Shawn LaGrua Vacant Emory Palmer Ronald "Rick" Smith Dr. Roger Tutterow Wendy Williamson

Role
Juvenile Court Judge State Representative State Representative Court of Appeals Judge Attorney Attorney State Senator State Senator Juvenile Court Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge Superior Court Judge
Economist Attorney

Location
Coweta Circuit

Position
Chair

District 103

House of Representatives Member 1

Vacant

House of Representatives Member 1

Statewide

Member

Fulton County

Member

Cobb County

Member

District 52

State Senate Member 1

District10

State Senate Member 2

Southwestern Circuit

Member

Atlanta Circuit

Member

Vacant

Member

Coweta Circuit

Member

Cobb County

Member

Kennesaw State University Member

Chatham County

Member

Mission
The Child Support Commission was created by statute for the purpose of studying and collecting information and data relating to awards of child support and to create and revise the child support obligation table. The Commission conducts comprehensive reviews of the child support guidelines, economic conditions, and all matters relevant to maintaining effective and efficient child support guidelines that will serve the best interest of Georgia's children and considers the changing dynamics of family life.

The Commission trains judges, attorneys, mediators, and the public around the state; develops and maintains the state's child support calculator and worksheets; maintains websites for the Child Support Commission and for Georgia's Income Deduction Order process; and proposes legislation when it deems an amendment to the guidelines is necessary.

GEORGIA COMMISSION ON CHILD SUPPORT

41

Highlights
The Child Support Commission sponsored legislation in 2019 adding an exclusion to gross income for adoption assistance; removing language that allowed the use of minimum wage and 40 hour work weeks as a standard for imputing income, pursuant to a federal requirement; added "or the jury" in appropriate locations; and cleaned up grammar and punctuation throughout the statute, O.C.G.A. 19-6-15. The Child Support Commission established two study committees in 2019 to study the Low Income Deviation and the Parenting Time Deviation.
Staff continued training around the state at 24 locations on the child support guidelines, child support online calculator, and Georgia's Income Deduction Order process. We also support the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services' Parental Accountability Courts by providing a database and training for court coordinators to gather information on participants for evaluation purposes. This year, information from the database will be used to create a second research report on the effectiveness and continued growth of those courts.
When scheduling training seminars, the commission staff emphasizes going to every part of the State. The pictures above are from training events in (top to bottom) AugustaRichmond, Tift, and Hall Counties.

42

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

CONNECTED BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS and COUNCILS

Georgia Commission on Interpreters
Staff to the Commission: John Botero Authorized and Created by the Supreme Court georgiacourts.gov/coi/

Name

Role

Keith R. Blackwell

Supreme Court Justice

Sarah Warren

Supreme Court Justice

Clyde Reese

Court of Appeals Judge

Maria Batres Esq.

Attorney

Stephen Nevels

Public

Mara Ceballos-Wallis Public

Christopher Paul

Attorney

Jana Edmondson-Cooper Attorney

Dax E. Lpez

State Court Judge

Pilar Archila

Public

Meng Lim

Superior Court Judge

Robert Waller, III

Juvenile Court Judge

Ruth R. McMullin

Magistrate Court Judge

Mazi Mazloom

Municipal Court Judge

Bert Reeves

State Representative

Detria Carter Powell

Probate Court Judge

Location
Statewide Statewide Statewide Cobb County Jackson County DeKalb County Bartow County Fulton County DeKalb County Laurens County Tallapoosa Circuit Gwinnett Circuit Gwinnett Circuit City of Marietta Cobb County Lowndes County

Position
Co-Chair Co-Chair Vice Chair State Bar Representative Non-Attorney Representative Public State Bar Representative State Bar Representative State Court Representative Non-Attorney Representative Superior Court Representative Juvenile Court Representative Magistrate Court Representative Municipal Court Representative General Assembly Representative Probate Court Representative

Mission
To provide interpreter licensing, regulatory, and educational services for Georgia courts so they can ensure the rights of nonEnglish speaking persons.

GEORGIA COMMISSION ON INTERPRETERS

43

Highlights
The administrative staff for the Commission on Interpreters increased the number of training and testing opportunities for candidate interpreters.

Staff for the Commission on Interpreters

Increased trainings for members of the

bench, members of the bar, and court

administrators to instruct them on the

importance of using professional interpreters

for parties who need an interpreter to ensure

equal access to justice.

The Commission on Interpreters has been working on revising the current rules and

COI staff member John Botero serving as a mock judge during the orientation workshop, all attendees play different scenarios to learn about real-life ethics.

regulations to provide more comprehensive

guidance to court professionals, the courts

and, other stakeholders.

Orientation Workshop Instructors Philippe Du Moulin, M. Catherine McCabe, and COI staff Bianca Bennett
presenting to candidate members.

44

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

CONNECTED BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS and COUNCILS

Board of Court Reporting
Staff to the Board: John Botero Authorized and Created by Statute. Reports to the Judicial Council's Court Reporting Matters Standing Committee georgiacourts.gov/bcr/

Name
John Kent Edwards, Jr. John K. Larkins, Jr. Brenda Trammell Frederic Bold, Jr. Daniel Gershwin Kevin King Randi Strumlauf Christopher Paul Twyman Cheryl Gilliam Pavon Bohanan Cynthia H. Clanton

Role
State Court Judge

Location
Lowndes County

Attorney

Fulton County

Superior Court Judge

Ocmulgee Circuit

Attorney

Fulton County

Freelance Court Reporter, Machine Shorthand Fulton County

Freelance Court Reporter, Machine Shorthand Fulton County

Freelance Court Reporter, Voice Writer

Gwinnett County

Attorney

Floyd County

Official Reporter

Fulton County

Freelance Court Reporter, Voice Writer

Hall County

Director, JC/AOC

Fulton County

Position
Chair Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Secretary

Mission
The Georgia General Assembly established the Board of Court Reporting of the Judicial Council of Georgia to ensure the integrity and competency of the court reporting practice. The Board of Court Reporting establishes and enforces standards that govern court reporters and provides a forum for an exchange of ideas and educational services.

Highlights
Increased efficiency of processing complaints against court reporters.
Provided clarification on court reporting issues via Advisory Opinions.
Update of Rules and Regulations and Bylaws of the Board.

Top: Swearing-in of members Christopher Twyman and Pavon Bohanan. Judge Edwards in center.
Bottom: BCR Chair Judge John Edwards with Board Staff John Botero, Amber Richardson, Alison Lerner,
Bianca Bennett and Angela Choyce

Reports from Appellate Courts and Trial Courts
Councils

46

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS
Supreme Court of Georgia
gasupreme.us

In 2019, the Supreme Court of Georgia took a historic step across the street and into a new building. At the end of the year, the state's highest court and the Court of Appeals moved into the new Nathan Deal Judicial Center the first State building in Georgia history dedicated solely to the judiciary, the third branch of government. As Chief Justice Harold D. Melton said in his first State of the Judiciary address to the Georgia Legislature: "This building reflects what the citizens of this great State expect the Justices and Judges to accomplish each day when we come to work. It reflects the dignity and majesty of the rule of law we are called upon to uphold on a daily basis."
With the historic move, the Supreme Court kept costs down by taking with it all existing furniture and furnishings that remained sturdy and appropriate. It also purchased some key furnishings that were designed and constructed by Georgia prison inmates through Georgia Correctional Industries and the Georgia Department of Corrections. The purchase of the furniture allowed the Supreme Court to support the rehabilitation of offenders while obtaining stately furniture at a cost effective price.
The regeneration and vitality of the new judicial building reflect the makeup of the Supreme Court itself. By the end of 2020, six of our nine Justices will have taken office only within the last few years. The majority of today's Justices served previously on the Court of Appeals, Georgia's intermediate appellate court.

The Justices reflect a diversity of backgrounds:
Chief Justice Melton was Executive Counsel to former Governor Sonny Perdue (later U.S. Secretary of Agriculture); Presiding Justice David E. Nahmias was United States Attorney in Atlanta; Justice Robert Benham was the first African-American appointed to the state's highest court in more than 140 years; Justice Keith Blackwell graduated Number 1 in his class at the University of Georgia law school and was top of his class at UGA's undergraduate school; Justice Michael P. Boggs and Justice Charles J. Bethel both served in the Georgia Legislature; Justice Nels S.D. Peterson was Georgia's first Solicitor General; Justice Sarah H. Warren also served as Solicitor General and argued before the United States Supreme Court; and Justice John J. Ellington has served on every level of court in the state of Georgia.
All the new Justices quickly settled into their jobs and took on a caseload that grew 8 percent between January-to-September in 2018 and January-to-September in 2019. During that time, filings in direct appeals grew 11 percent; filings in habeas petitions grew 16 percent. Murders, which are by far the largest category of cases that come to the Court, grew 34
percent.

The Nathan Deal Judicial Center as of October 2019.

47

The 2019 Supreme Court of Georgia Standing, L to R: Justice Charles J. Bethel, Justice Nels S.D. Peterson, Justice Michael P. Boggs,
Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren, Justice John J. Ellington. Seated, L to R: Justice Keith R. Blackwell, Presiding Justice David E. Nahmias,
Chief Justice Harold D. Melton, Justice Robert Benham.

People are often surprised to learn that in addition to their judicial duties, the Justices have a wide range of responsibilities concerning the regulation and oversight of the state's legal and judicial professions. Chief Justice Melton chairs Georgia's Judicial Council, which is the policymaking body for Georgia's judiciary and is comprised of representatives from every class of court. He appointed in 2019 a Committee to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Judicial Branch of Government, which continues to make progress in developing policies to prevent sex harassment both for the Supreme Court and the judiciary statewide. Justice Sarah H. Warren chairs the Committee. Every Justice has oversight or liaison responsibilities with

various organizations, many of which are listed in the table at the bottom of this page.
In addition, the Supreme Court reviews and approves all rules published by Georgia courts and judicial regulatory entities. In 2019, the Court amended its own rules governing oral arguments. Effective Sept. 9, 2019, the new rules allow law students to participate in arguing cases before the high court. Another amendment requires that requests for oral argument in a case must include details about why argument is necessary before the Court grants the request. The Court made the changes to improve the quality of oral arguments and bring the state's highest court in line with other appellate courts nationwide.

ORGANIZATIONS WITH A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SERVING IN OVERSIGHT OR LIAISON ROLE

The Judicial Qualifications Commission
(regulates judges' conduct)
The State Bar (regulates the practice of law) The Office of Bar Admissions (regulates admis-
sion to the practice of law)
The Institutes for Continuing Judicial Education
and Continuing Legal Education
The Access and Fairness Committee The Justice for Children Committee

The Office of Dispute Resolution (mediation) The Commission on Interpreters Accountability Courts Criminal Justice Reform The Chief Justice's Commission on
Professionalism
The new Business Court The Ad Hoc Committee on Cybersecurity
Insurance for the Judiciary

48

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS CONTINUED

Court of Appeals of Georgia
gaappeals.us

Mission
Sitting in five three-judge panels, the Court of Appeal handles the majority of appeals in Georgia, and is responsible for assuring that the rule of law applies equally to all appeals, and that they are resolved correctly and promptly. As an appellate court with statewide jurisdiction, the Court of Appeals shares responsibility with the Supreme Court for producing a clear and consistent body of case law that can be relied upon throughout the state.

Highlights
New Chief Judge Chris McFadden Elected Developed Plans to Move into New Courthouse Implemented Paperless Fiscal Processes Deepened Cybersecurity Defenses Reduced Docketing Time Via Trial Court Electronic Filing Began Developing Procedures for Pro Se E-Filing Improved Public Awareness Through Social Media Expanded Access to Electronic Records

49

COURT OF APPEALS 2019 MILESTONES
3,397 FILINGS 1,224 DIRECT CRIMINAL APPEALS
1,263 DIRECT CIVIL APPEALS 850 APPLICATIONS DOCKETED 60 EMERGENCY MOTIONS DECIDED
1,321 OPINIONS ISSUED MORE THAN 218 CASES DECIDED PER JUDGE
4 NEW JUDGES ADDED
Stephen S. Goss Christian A. Coomer Todd Markle Ken Hodges
2 JUDGES MOVED TO SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA
Charles Bethel (by appointment) John J. Ellington (by election)

Standing, left to right:
D. Todd Markle, Judge Stephen S. Goss, Judge E. Trenton "Trent" Brown III, Judge Amanda H. Mercier, Judge Clyde L. Reese, Judge Elizabeth D. Gobeil, Judge Christian A. Coomer, Judge Ken Hodges, Judge
Sitting, left to right:
Carla Wong McMillian, Presiding Judge, Fifth Division Sara L. Doyle, Presiding Judge, Third Division Anne Elizabeth Barnes, Presiding Judge, First Division Christopher J. McFadden, Chief Judge M. Yvette Miller, Presiding Judge, Second Division Stephen Louis A. Dillard, Presiding Judge, Fourth Division Brian M. Rickman, Judge

50

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS CONTINUED

Council of Superior Court Judges
Executive Director: Shannon Weathers
georgiasuperiorcourts.org

Vision:
Judicial Excellence; Accessible, Effective, and Efficient Superior Courts.
Mission:
The Council of Superior Court Judges' mission is to provide leadership and support to preserve the ability of the Courts to meet their constitutional and statutory responsibilities and further the administration of justice while functioning as a liaison with other courts and the other two branches of Government.
The Council provides payroll and travel reimbursements; budget administration and accounting; leave entry, benefit coordination, and other human resources needs for all judges and their state-paid staff; and management of all superior court statewide accounting functions.
The Council also provides legal support for required publications such as the Uniform Rules for Superior Courts and Pattern Jury Instructions; statewide legal support for judges handling death penalty habeas corpus cases; logistics for seminars and meetings; and numerous other critical statewide functions for superior courts.
The Council office also serves as the hub for legislative tracking, meeting coordination, and monitoring during the legislative session.

Leadership:
President Judge Shawn LaGrua, Atlanta Judicial Circuit President Elect Judge Brian Amero, Flint Judicial Circuit Secretary Treasurer Judge J. Wade Padgett, Augusta Judicial Circuit Immediate Past President Judge Stephen Kelley, Brunswick Judicial Circuit
Goals:
Over the next four years, the Council will seek sufficient funding to provide state paid law clerks for the 34 Superior Court judges who do not already have a state or county paid law clerk.
Judge Doris L. Downs and Judge H. Gibbs Flanders were the recipients of the 2019 Emory Findley Award. The award recognizes judges for their outstanding leadership and dedication to the continued improvement of our court system.

COUNCIL OF SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES

51

Highlights:
Staffing: During the recession, many law clerk positions were eliminated. With the assistance of the Governor and the Legislature, the Council has restored some of these positions and created others. Of the 214 active Superior Court Judges, only 34 lack either a state or county paid law clerk. Judicial Education Podcasts: Superior Court Judges Wade Padgett and LaTain Kell have worked diligently to create a podcast series, "The Good Judge-ment Podcast," to not only provide accessible continuing education opportunities to judges, but also to extend the information to lawyers and members of the public. These Podcasts are available free of charge in iTunes. Pattern Jury Instructions Rewrite Initiative: Under the leadership of CSCJ President Judge Shawn LaGrua, the Council plans to rewrite many of the suggested pattern jury instructions in plain English. This project will be conducted by a subcommittee within the Council which will work throughout the year.

This initiative is intended to better assist judges in the instruction of jurors by promoting a clear and concise presentation of the law to citizens serving on a jury. Mental Health in Local Jails: Under the leadership of CSCJ President-Elect Judge Brian Amero, the Council created a Special Committee on Mental Health in Local Jails. The Committee hosted a training conference on Judicial Work at the Interface of Mental Health and Criminal Justice in May at Georgia State Law School. Post-trial Rules: In conjunction with the Supreme Court of Georgia, and in consultation with the State Bar of Georgia, the Council of Superior Court Clerks, the Georgia Public Defender Council, the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council, CSCJ amended the Uniform Superior Court Rules on motions for new trials to expedite such proceedings and instituted reporting measures to better identify criminal cases with post-trial delays.

Swearing-in ceremonies, left to right (top row): Jeffery O. Monroe, Macon Judicial Circuit; Jeffrey Watkins, Cherokee Judicial Circuit; Tadia Whitner, Gwinnett Judicial Circuit; Rachelle L. Carnesale, Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Left to right (bottom): Shondeana C. Morris, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit; Stacey K. Hydrick, Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, Nina Markette Baker, Coweta Judicial Circuit.

52

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS CONTINUED

Council of State Court Judges
Executive Director: Bob Bray georgiacourts.gov/statecourt/

Mission and Goals:

Leadership:

"Impartial Courts - Judicial Excellence -

President

Accessible and Efficient Justice." The Council Judge T. Russell McClelland, Forsyth County

consists of 129 active judges, who serve in 71 counties, and a number of Senior Judges and Judges Emeritus. Each year the Council

President Elect Judge Wesley B. Tailor, Fulton County

develops a Strategic Business Plan to further Secretary

its mission toward the improvement of State Judge Alvin T. Wong, DeKalb County

Courts, the quality and expertise of its judges, to maintain the impartiality of the judiciary and to ensure the fair, efficient administration

Treasurer Judge R. Violet Bennett, Wayne County

of justice. The five Strategic Objectives of the Past President

Council are to:

Judge Nancy Bills, Rockdale County

1. Support the State Courts

2. Enhance Effectiveness and Continuity of our

Council

3. Support the Judiciary as a whole

4. Foster Relationships within the Judiciary and

with other branches of government

5. Serve, inform and interact with the public

Right: Judge Nancy Bills passing the Council presidency and it's responsibilities to Judge T. Russell McClelland in May 2019.
Below: The Council's Executive Committee meets at the May 2019 Conference.

COUNCIL OF STATE COURT JUDGES

53

Highlights:
The 2019 State Court Benchbook was completely revised and updated and includes two new Chapters: Chapter 12 on Collections and Default Judgments; and Chapter 13 on Bifurcating and Trifurcating Damages. A Judicial Workload Study of the State Court of Rockdale County was begun utilizing the new case categories and time standards published in November 2018 Judicial Workload Study of the Superior and State Courts of Georgia by the National Center for State Courts. The Rockdale study concluded that the workload of that state court requires two full-time judges to process the cases.

The recent cyber attack on the Administrative Office of the Courts seriously impacted the office of the Council of State Court Judges, however, many critical working files have been able to be recovered or recreated to maintain the administration of Council business. Six new state court judges were elected or appointed to serve in 2019 and participated in a four-day new judge orientation in Athens, Georgia in January. The caseloads in the State courts of Georgia continue to grow and the statewide revenues increased over $2 million. The Council of State Court Judges worked with the Council of Superior Court Judges to update, revise and rewrite jury charges used civil and criminal trials.

Left: Judge Joseph C. Iannazonne received the prestigious Ogden Doremus/Kent Lawrence Award in October, 2018. Below: Governor Brian Kemp addresses attendees at the May 2019 Conference.

54

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS CONTINUED

Council of Juvenile Court Judges
Executive Director: Eric John
georgiacourts.gov/cjcj/

Mission:

Leadership:

The Juvenile Court's mission is to serve the

President

community by assisting children and families Judge Juliette Wiltshire Scales

in need and to protect the community by

Atlanta Judicial Circuit

administering individual justice and deterring delinquent behavior through the court and

President-Elect Judge Lisa C. Jones

community-based services from the Programs Southwestern Judicial Circuit

arm of the Court and the Department of Juvenile Vice-President

Justice probation services.

Judge C. Gregory Price

Vision:
The Juvenile Court's vision is to achieve excellence by providing quality services for the positive development of children, the safety of the community and the preservation of the family unit.
The Council of Juvenile Court Judges provides support to the juvenile court judges through legal research services, legislative tracking, and specialized programs to assist in protecting the

Rome Judicial Circuit
Secretary Judge Render M. Heard Jr. Tifton Judicial Circuit
Treasurer Judge Lindsay H. Burton Northeastern Judicial Circuit
Past-President Judge Philip Spivey Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit

best interests of children and the state.

Judge Juliette Wiltshire Scales being sworn-in as president of the
Council of Juvenile Court Judges in May 2019.

COUNCIL OF JUVENILE COURT JUDGES

55

Highlights:
Juvenile Data Exchange (JDEX): The JDEX initiative centralizes data on juvenile offenders, providing judges a complete picture of data for offenders. JDEX was brought online in June 2019. Trainings across the state are in progress and will be completed mid-November 2019. Justice Case Activity Tracking System (JCATS): Thirty-nine (39) counties use the case management system JCATS in their court. Eighty eight (88) percent of the delinquent cases in the state is captured by JCATS. Since 2015, there has been an increase of 25% of the counties using JCATS. The latest to come on board was Floyd County under Judge Greg Price. Children In Need of Services (CHINS): The CHINS State Coordinator position was put in place to help create and implement a standard CHINS protocols. The CHINS Coordinator has held quarterly meetings with a statewide collaborative team; conducted a statewide survey of all juvenile courts to gather key information; partnered with the Carter Center Mental Health Program to strengthen the CHINS system; and initiated a pilot program to work with select counties to collect data, highlight best practices, and address challenges.

Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI): JDAI is a nationwide initiative to help jurisdictions reduce their reliance on secure detention. Georgia's Initiative has completed system assessments for Rockdale and Chatham Counties; launched Rockdale County as an officially recognized JDAI site; and created three state steering committee workgroups for refining three key focus areas: 1. Refining Georgia's JDAI State Scale Plan and onboarding process. 2. Creating Georgia JDAI demonstration sites. 3. Cultivating a plan for improving race, equity, and inclusion in Georgia's juvenile justice system.
Stakeholders attend the JDEX meeting in May 2019.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS CONTINUED

Council of Probate Court Judges
Executive Director: Kevin Holder
georgiacourts.gov/probate/

Mission:
Our Council's vision is excellence in the administration of justice in every probate court. Our Council's mission is to advance the common interests of and assist probate courts in fulfilling their responsibilities. Finally, our Council's guiding principles are to ensure that probate courts fulfill their statutory responsibilities, demonstrate integrity, respect the independence and diversity of each court, function collaboratively, continuously improve service to our constituency and engage all members of the Council.

Leadership:
President Judge Sarah Harris, Macon-Bibb County
President-Elect Judge T.J. Hudson, Treutlen County
First Vice-President Judge Kelli Wolk, Cobb County
Past President Judge Rooney Bowen, III, D ooly County
S ecretary-Treasurer Judge Darin McCoy, Evans County

From left to right: Judge Sarah Harris, Judge Kelli Wolk, Judge T.J. Hudson, Judge Kerri Carter, and Judge Darin McCoy at the Council's 2019 Spring Conference.

Judge J. Wade Padgett, Augusta Circuit Superior Court was honored for his contributions to the Council's traffic certification program.

2018 Fall COAG in Savannah, GA.

COUNCIL OF PROBATE COURT JUDGES

57

Above: 2019 Probate Judges Day at the Capitol. Below: Judge Sarah Harris, State Senator Mike Dugan, and Judge Edith Haney at the State Capitol.

Highlights:
Identified and established a pipeline of new leaders within the Council Re-engaged each of the Council's respective districts Reorganized the Council's standing committees Created a committee to study streamlining filing fees Revamped the Council's Mentor Program Finalized the work to begin production of the videos and informational materials for selfrepresented litigants Amended the Council's bylaws Updated the Uniform Probate Court Rules Achieved a year-over-year of probate courts who successfully submitted their caseload reports Conducted the first ever Training Council retreat to examine the training offerings and certification programs Retooled the Traffic Certificate program for probate judges with traffic jurisdiction

2019 Leadership Retreat, Jekyll Island, GA.

58

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS CONTINUED

Council of Magistrate Court Judges
Executive Director: Sharon Reiss
georgiamagistratecouncil.com

Mission:
Magistrate court, also called small claims court and sometimes the people's court, is an informal court that handles money claims of less than $15,000. This court offers a quick and inexpensive process to resolve complaints.
The Council of Magistrate Court Judges supports community justice by:
Improving the magistrate courts and the administration of justice; Assisting the chief magistrates, magistrates, and senior magistrates throughout the state in the execution of their duties; and Training and promoting chief magistrates, magistrates, and senior magistrates.

Leadership:
President Judge Michael Barker, Chatham County
President-Elect Judge T.J. Hudson, Treutlen County
Vice-President Judge Bobby Harrison Smith, III Long County
Immediate Past President Judge Glenda Dowling, D ooly County
S ecretary Judge Berryl A. Anderson, DeKalb County
Treasurer Judge Jennifer Lewis, Camden County

Case type examples include: dispossessory; evictions; four types of criminal misdemeanors; probable cause hearings; setting bond and then binding over to other courts, and some fraud cases.

Highlights:
The Council hosts bi-annual training for all Magistrate Court Judges and also a dedicated training for Chief Magistrates. Topics include: law changes; ethics; filing; budgeting; staffing; scheduling; administration; IT support; and diversity to improve efficiency and leadership. The Council continued to work on tutorials and technology tools like the forms generator and web tutorials to improve the citizen experience. Council judges have won multiple awards for their hard work and dedication to the Council and the Administration of Justice.

59

Every year the Georgia Council of Magistrate Court Councils hosts a legislative day at the State Capitol. This gives the judges an opportunity to interact with legislators and discuss the issues they face in their courts and communities.

Georgia Magistrate Courts Training Council

The Georgia Magistrate Courts Training Council, which was created by statute in 1983,consists of five members and oversees the training and certification of Magistrate Judges. O.C.G.A. 15-10-130 et seq. The Council, chaired by Judge Betsey Kidwell (Magistrate Court of Heard County) met twelve times in FY 2019:
July 18, 2018 via GoToMeeting August 15, 2018 via GoToMeeting September 30, 2018 during the biannual recertification training held in Savannah, GA October 17, 2018 via GoToMeeting November 21, 2018 via GoToMeeting December 19, 2018 via GoToMeeting January 23, 2019 via GoToMeeting February 20, 2019 via GoToMeeting March 20, 2019 via GoToMeeting April 14, 2019 during the biannual recertification training held in St. Simons, GA May 15, 2019 via GoToMeeting June 19, 2019 via GoToMeeting

The Council developed and approved the training curriculum for mandatory annual magistrate training, focusing on several topics including interpreters, mental health, elder abuse, misdemeanor bail reform, jail diversion, judicial ethics, garnishments, abandoned mobile homes, court security, domestic violence, and landlord-tenant issues. Additionally, the Council formed two subcommittees, The Curriculum Committee which studies and recommends possible training topics to the full Council, and the Mentor Committee which oversees the mentoring of new magistrate judges. Finally, the Council issued certification to magistrate court judges meeting the annual training requirement for CY 2018.
The Georgia Magistrate Courts Training Council submits this report pursuant to O.C.G.A. 15-10-134(e).

60

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS CONTINUED

Council of Municipal Court Judges (CMuCJ)
Trial Court Liaison: LaShawn Murphy
georgiacourts.gov/municipal/

Mission:
To set standards and policies, and to provide information and education services to the Municipal Courts of Georgia so they can more efficiently and effectively operate their courts, administer justice, and serve the public.
Guiding Principles:
Be an advocate for the Municipal Courts and their Judges.

Leadership:
President Judge Matthew McCord, Stockbridge
President-Elect Judge Dale "Bubba" Samuels Franklin Springs and Monroe
Vice-President Chief Judge Willie Weaver Sr., Albany
Secretary Judge JaDawnya Baker, Atlanta

Provide professional and forward thinking Treasurer

leadership.

Judge Keith Barber, Statesboro

Be a reflection of the people we serve. Encourage public understanding of the judiciary and the courts. Uphold the Constitution and the law. Maintain and enhance Judicial Council relations created in statute per O.C.G.A. 36-32-40.
Judges Matthew McCord, Margaret Washburn, JaDawnya Baker, and Charles Barrett at the CMuCJ Legislative Day at the State Capitol.

Immediate President Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson Stone Mountain
Highlights:
Held an effective leadership retreat in September 2018. This was an opportunity for the president to share their vision, strategize and have open discussions on pertinent initiatives with key members of the Council.
Judge Matthew McCord at a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Bail Reform.

COUNCIL OF MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES

61

Convened a successful Breakfast and Legislative Day at the Capitol, February 5, 2019.

Focused the Council's attention on Bail Reform efforts.

Partnered with the Access, Fairness,

Public Trust and Confidence Committee

(AFPTCC) to include judicial trainings

on Inclusion and Human Trafficking,

as well as tracks in annual trainings and

the presentation of GA Reflections on

Access and Fairness in the Courts, Part 2:

Engaging the Faith Community as a follow-

up to their 2016 Summit (GA Reflections on Judge E.R. Lanier, Municipal Court of Norcross, received

Ferguson).

the 2019 Frost Lifetime Achievement Award.

Honors:

The Council recognized a number of

Dismissal Diversion Program, designed to

municipal court judges with awards.

afford Defendants the opportunity to obtain

Judge E. R. Lanier, Municipal Court of

their high school diploma, GED or higher

Norcross, received the Frost Ward Lifetime learning degree.

Achievement Award, which recognizes

Chief Judge Matthew McCord, Municipal

a municipal court judge who has made

Court of Stockbridge, was awarded the

significant contributions to the Council of Special Recognition Award as 2018-2019

Municipal Court Judges over a long period of Goodwill Ambassador for the Council, for

time.

Selfless Commitment, Dedication & Service

Chief Judge Rashida Oliver, Municipal

to the Council through Various Judicial

Court of East Point, received the Glen

Appointments.

Ashman Educational Achievement Award Chief Judge Matthew McCord recognized

in appreciation of continued contributions deserving municipal court judges with the

to academics and judicial education for

President's Award: Judge Thomas C. Bobbitt,

municipal court judges throughout the State III, for selfless commitment & continued

of Georgia.

service to the Council; and, Judge W. Keith

Chief Judge Dexter Wimbish, Municipal Barber, CMuCJ Treasurer for outstanding

Court of Greenville, was awarded the Special service & commitment to modernizing the

Recognition Award for the Degree for

Treasurer's position.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

REPORTS FROM APPELLATE COURT AND TRIAL COURT COUNCILS CONTINUED

Georgia Municipal Courts Training Council

The Georgia Municipal Courts Training Council, created in statute per O.C.G.A. 36-32-22, consists of six members and oversees the training and certification of municipal court judges and chief clerks. The Council, chaired by Judge Margaret Washburn (Municipal Court of Sugar Hill), met five times in FY 2019:
October 3, 2018 Athens, GA, in conjunction with the Fall Law & Practice Update
December 10, 2018 Via GoTo Meeting
February 5, 2019 Atlanta, GA, in conjunction with the Executive Committee meeting
April 30, 2019 Warner Robins, GA, in conjunction with the Executive Committee meeting
June 18, 2019 Savannah, GA, in conjunction with the Summer Law & Practice Update
The Council developed and approved a robust training curriculum for mandatory new judges orientation and annual municipal court judges training, focusing on such topics as Municipal Court Uniform Rules Update, City Councils, Municipal Judges, Communication: Improving the Court and Maintaining Independence in Judicial Decisions, Immigration: A View from the Bench, SB 407 Criminal Justice Reform/ New Citation, Professionalism: Rules For The Judges The 2019 JQC Update, Case Law update, Evidence, IT Security (Best

Practices for Information Systems Security & You) and updates from the Department of Driver Services. The Council issued certification to municipal court judges meeting the annual training requirement for CY 2018. Per statutory requirement, the Council also oversaw the training and certification of chief municipal court clerks. The training curriculum for chief clerks focused on such topics as Municipal Court Uniform Rules, Bond Forfeitures, Fines and Fees, Ethics for Clerks, Legislative Update, Records Retention (Georgia Archives), and updates from the Department of Driver Services and the Georgia Crime Information Center. The Council issued certification to chief municipal court clerks meeting the annual training requirement for CY 2018.
The Georgia Municipal Courts Training Council submits this report pursuant to O.C.G.A. 36-32-24.
Chief Judge Margaret Washburn, Chair, Municipal Courts Training Council.

Appendix

64

JUDICIAL COUNCIL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNUAL REPORT FY 2019

Georgia's Judicial Demographics

Supreme Court................................... 9 Court of Appeals................................ 15 Superior Court................................ 214 State Court..................................... 129 Juvenile Court..................................121 Probate Court................................. 174 Magistrate......................................498 Municipal, Civil, and Recorders Courts......................336
TOTAL....................................... 1,496

RACE
WHITE NON-HISPANIC WHITE HISPANIC AFRICAN-AMERICAN

Supreme Court 61
2

AMERICAN INDIAN OR ALASKA NATIVE

ASIAN

TOTAL

81

Court of Appeals

Superior Court

State Court

Juvenile Court

Probate Magistrate Municipal

Court

Court

Court

8 4 139 44 84 23 61 32 71 91 228 175 243 37

1

1

1

1

1 1 12 17 9 11 12 15 4 8 30 59 27 24

1

11

1

134

9 6 152 61 95 34 74 47 75 99 260 238 275 61

TOTAL
1,247 4 232
1
11 1,495

MALE

FEMALE

Georgia's Case Characteristics
Due to the ransomware attack on June 29, 2019, case count data was unavailable at the time of this report. Case data will be published at georgiacourts.gov as it becomes available.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL INTERNS

Each year the Judicial Council makes internships available to rising college students in law, political science, and other academic disciplines. They receive valuable training and exposure to our system of justice. Equally important is the value they bring to us in fresh perspective, insightful questions, and technical prowess.

Guadalupe Mora

Taylor Evans

The JC/AOC wishes to thank the interns who joined us during FY19.

Malcolm Sinkfield Sharod McClendon

Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
244 Washington Street, SW Suite 300 Atlanta, Georgia 30334
georgiacourts.gov