JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA
General Session
Friday, February 24, 2017
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd Building – Floyd Room
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
West Tower, 20th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30334
Judicial Council of Georgia
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd Building – Floyd Room
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
West Tower, 20th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30334
Friday, February 24, 2017
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Lunch will be served immediately following the Council meeting
1. Preliminary Remarks and Introductions
(Chief Justice P. Harris Hines, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
2. Approval of Minutes, December 9, 2016 (Action Item)
(Chief Justice P. Harris Hines, Est. Time – 2 Min.)
TAB 1
3. Criminal E-filing Initiative
(Mr. Carey Miller, Est. Time – 15 Min.)
4. Judicial Council Committee Reports
A. Policy and Legislative Committee (Action Item)
(Presiding Justice Harold D. Melton, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
TAB 2
B. Budget Committee
(Presiding Justice Harold D. Melton, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
C. Strategic Plan Standing Committee (Informational)
(Judge W. Allen Wigington, Est. Time – 10 Min.)
TAB 3
D. Education and Training Committee (Written Report)
TAB 4
E. Access, Fairness, Public Trust and Confidence Committee
(Karlise Grier, Est. Time – 10 Min)
TAB 5
5. Report from Judicial Council/AOC
(Ms. Cynthia H. Clanton, Est. Time – 10 Min.)
TAB 6
6. Reports from Appellate Courts, Trial Court Councils & State Bar
(Est. Time – 10 min.)
A. Supreme Court
TAB 7
B. Court of Appeals
C. Council of Superior Court Judges
D. Council of State Court Judges
E. Council of Juvenile Court Judges
F. Council of Probate Court Judges
G. Council of Magistrate Court Judges
H. Council of Municipal Court Judges
I. State Bar of Georgia
7. Report from the Council of Accountability Court Judges
TAB 8
8. Report from the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution
TAB 8
9. Report from the Council of Superior Court Clerks
10. Report from the Georgia Council of Court Administrators
11. Old/New Business
(Chief Justice P. Harris Hines, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
12. Outgoing Members
(Chief Justice P. Harris Hines, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
13. Concluding Remarks and Adjournment
(Chief Justice P. Harris Hines, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
Next Judicial Council Meeting
Friday, April 28, 2017
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Savannah, GA (Hyatt Savannah)
Judicial Council Meeting Calendar – 2017
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Friday, October 20, 2017
Friday, December 8, 2017
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Atlanta, GA (The Georgian Club)
Macon, GA (Anderson Conference Center)
Atlanta, GA (The Carter Center)
Judicial Council Members
As of January, 2017
Supreme Court
Chief Justice P. Harris Hines
Chair, Judicial Council
507 State Judicial Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3475/F 657-9586
[email protected]
Presiding Justice Harold D. Melton
Vice-Chair, Judicial Council
501 State Judicial Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3472/F 651-8642
[email protected]
Court of Appeals
Chief Judge Sara Doyle
47 Trinity Avenue, Suite 501
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3458/F 657-9764
[email protected]
Presiding Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard
47 Trinity Avenue, Suite 501
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-657-9405/ F 657-8893
[email protected]
Superior Court
Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr.
President, CSCJ
Alcovy Judicial Circuit
1132 Usher Street, NW
Covington, GA 30014
770-784-2080/F 784-2130
[email protected]
Judge Arthur Lee Smith
Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, 3rd JAD
PO Box 1340
Columbus, GA 31902
706-653-4273/F 653-4569
[email protected]
Chief Judge Courtney Lynn Johnson
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, 4th JAD
7240 DeKalb County Courthouse
556 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
404-371-2457/F 687-3511
[email protected]
Chief Judge Gail S. Tusan
Atlanta Judicial Circuit, 5th JAD
T8955 Justice Center Tower
185 Central Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-612-8520/F 302-8524
[email protected]
Judge Brian Amero
Flint Judicial Circuit, 6th JAD
Henry County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
McDonough, GA 30253
770-288-7901/F 288-7913
[email protected]
Judge Jack Partain
Conasauga Judicial Circuit, 7th JAD
PO Box 732
Dalton, GA 30722
770-278-6713/F 278-6714
[email protected]
Chief Judge Kathy S. Palmer
President- Elect, CSCJ
PO Box 350
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-237-3260/F 237-0949
[email protected]
Judge Donald W. Gillis
Dublin Judicial Circuit, 8th JAD
PO Box 2016
Dublin, GA 31040
478-275-7715/F 275-2984
[email protected]
Judge Stephen Scarlett
Brunswick Judicial Circuit, 1st JAD
Glynn County Courthouse
701 H Street, Box 203
Brunswick, GA 31520
912-554-7356/F 554-7387
[email protected]
Chief Judge Melodie Snell Conner
Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, 9th JAD
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-822-8660/F 822-8662
[email protected]
Judge Stephen Goss
Dougherty Judicial Circuit, 2nd JAD
P.O. Box 1827
Albany, GA 31702
229-424-2683/F 431-2174
[email protected]
Judge Carl C. Brown
Augusta Judicial Circuit, 10th JAD
735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 4203
Augusta, GA 30901
706-821-2347/F 721-4476
[email protected]
State Court
Chief Judge Richard A. Slaby
President, CStCJ
Richmond County
735 James Brown Boulevard
Suite 4105
Augusta, GA 30901-2974
706-821-2582/ F 821-1177
[email protected]
Judge Gregory Fowler
President-Elect, CStCJ
Chatham County
133 Montgomery Street, Room 430
Savannah, GA 31401
912-652-7565/F 652-7566
[email protected]
Juvenile Court
Chief Judge Benjamin P. Brinson
President, CJCJ
Atlantic Judicial Circuit
P.O. Box 667
Claxton, GA 30417
912-739-2533/F 739-2513
[email protected]
Judge James Whitfield
President-Elect, CJCJ
Cobb Circuit
32 Waddell Street
Marietta, GA 30090
770-528-2428/F 528-2576
[email protected]
Probate Court
Judge Alice Padgett
President, CPCJ
Columbia County
P.O. Box 1520
Evans, GA 30809
706-312-7254/F 312-7251
[email protected]
Judge Rooney Bowen III
President-Elect, CPCJ
Dooly County
P.O. Box 304
Vienna, GA 31092
229-268-4217/F 268-6142
[email protected]
Magistrate Court
Judge Kristina Hammer Blum
President, CMCJ
Gwinnett County
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30045-6900
770-822-8081/F 822-8075
[email protected]
Judge James M. Griner, Jr.
First Vice-President, CMCJ
Screven County
PO Box 64
Sylvania, GA 30467
912-564-7375/F 564-5618
[email protected]
Municipal Courts
Judge Gary E. Jackson
President, CMuCJ
Municipal Court of Atlanta
150 Garnett Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-6372
404-658-6930/F 658-7488
[email protected]
Judge John A. Roberts
President-Elect, CMuCJ
Municipal Court of Lithonia
462 E. Paces Ferry Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-841-0661/F 841-0775
[email protected]
State Bar of Georgia
Mr. Patrick T. O’Connor
President, State Bar of Georgia
218 West State Street
PO Box 10186
Savannah, GA 31412-0386
912-236-3311
[email protected]
Directions to the James H. “Sloppy” Floyd Building - Floyd Room
2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive
West Tower, 20th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30334
Note: Directions include parking information for the Pete Hackney Garage; however you can park in any number of
parking lots around the Capitol and then walk to the Floyd Building (see map attached). Parking will be provided for
Judicial Council members in the Pete Hackney Garage, through the main entrance on Jesse Hill Jr. Drive.
Southbound on I-75/I-85:
Take Exit 248-A (MLK Jr. Dr.). Stay in right lane on exit ramp. Yield to the right onto Jesse Hill Jr. Drive. The entrance
to the parking deck is on your right immediately after the pedestrian bridge (Pete Hackney Garage, $5.00 per day). To
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enter the Floyd Building, you will need to show a valid picture I.D. The Floyd Room is on the 20 floor of the West
Tower.
Northbound on I-75/I-85:
Take Exit 246 (Fulton Street). Take the right exit. Turn right at the traffic light. Move to the left lane. Turn left at the
traffic light onto Capitol Avenue. Stay in the right lane. Stay on Capitol Ave. past the State Capitol on your left. Turn
right at traffic light onto MLK Jr. Drive. Next, turn left at the traffic light onto Jesse Hill Jr. Drive. The entrance to the
parking deck is on your right immediately after the pedestrian bridge (Pete Hackney Garage, $5.00 per day). To enter the
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Floyd Building, you will need to show a valid picture I.D. The Floyd Room is on the 20 floor of the West Tower.
Westbound on I-20:
Take Exit 58A (Capitol Avenue). Stay in the right lane. Take a right onto Capitol Avenue. Stay on Capitol Ave. past the
State Capitol on your left. Turn right at traffic light onto MLK Jr. Drive. Next, turn left at the traffic light onto Jesse Hill
Jr. Drive. The entrance to the parking deck is on your right immediately after the pedestrian bridge (Pete Hackney Garage,
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$5.00 per day). To enter the Floyd Building, you will need to show a valid picture I.D. The Floyd Room is on the 20
floor of the West Tower.
Westbound on I-20: Alternate Route
Take Exit 58B (Hill Street). Stay in the right lane. Take a right onto Hill Street. Get in the left lane. Stay on Hill Street
past two traffic lights and after going under railroad tracks. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Decatur Street. At the
second traffic light, turn left onto Jesse Hill Jr. Drive. The entrance to the parking deck is on your left immediately
before the pedestrian bridge (Pete Hackney Garage, $5.00 per day). To enter the Floyd Building, you will need to show a
th
valid picture I.D. The Floyd Room is on the 20
floor of the West Tower.
Eastbound on I-20:
Take Exit 56B (Windsor St/Spring St). Continue on ramp to third traffic light. Turn left onto Central Ave. Stay in right
lane. At the MARTA overpass traffic light (5-way intersection), take right onto Memorial Drive. Continue on Memorial
Dr. to third traffic light. Turn left onto Capitol Avenue. Stay in right lane. You will pass the State Capitol on the left then
turn right at the traffic light onto MLK Jr. Drive. Next, turn left at the traffic light onto Jesse Hill Jr. Drive. The entrance
to the parking deck is on your right immediately after the pedestrian bridge (Pete Hackney Garage, $5.00 per day). To
th
enter the Floyd Building, you will need to show a valid picture I.D. The Floyd Room is on the 20
Tower.
floor of the West
Access to the Floyd Building from Pete Hackney Parking Garage 1. Take elevator to Level 5 of the Pete Hackney garage 2. Take immediate right off the elevator to the pedestrian bridge (If you are walking towards the elevator, this will be a left) 3. Exit elevator and take pedestrian bridge across to the Butler Parking Garage 4. Make immediate right to the elevators 5. Take elevator to Level BR (bridge) of the Butler Parking Garage 6. Exit elevator and take pedestrian bridge to the Floyd Building (Access through two entry doors is open to the public) 7. You will enter the Floyd Building at the East Tower. 8. Walk across to the West Tower. 9. Check‐in with security personnel and take elevator to the 20th floor 10. Meeting will be held in the Floyd Room Signs are posted throughout the Pete Hackney and Butler parking garages to direct you through these steps to the Floyd Building. The Floyd Building is located at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Piedmont Avenue. Administrative Office of the Courts
244 Washington St. SW, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334
Cynthia H. Clanton, Director
404-656-5171
As of January 1, 2017
Director’s Office
Judicial Services
Budget
Christopher Hansard
Division Director
404-463-1871
Ashley Garner
404-656-6404
Communications, Children,
Families, & the
Courts
Research and Data Analysis
Michelle Barclay
Division Director
404-657-9219
Matthew Bishop
404-463-6887
Jerry Bruce
404-656-5169
Carla Hardnett
404-232-1857
Patricia Buonodono
404-463-0044
Jeffery Thorpe
404-656-6413
Elaine Johnson
404-463-6383
LaShawn Murphy
404-651-6325
Court Professionals
Paula Myrick
404-463-6480
James Rodatus
404-656-5453
Shinji Morokuma
404-463-3785
Human Resources
Bianca Bennett
404-463-6478
Governmental and Trial Court
Liaison
Tracy Mason
404-463-0559
Robert Aycock
404-463-1023
Stephanie Hines
404-657-7469
Jacqueline Booker
404-463-0638
Herbert Gordon
404-232-1409
Tynesha Manuel
404-463-3785
General Counsel
Jessica Farah
404-463-3805
Karlie Sahs
404-463-6478
Bruce Shaw
404-463-6106
Ashley Stollar
404-656-6783
Financial Administration
Randy Dennis
Division Director
404-651-7613
Kim Burley
404-463-3816
Zan Patorgis
404-463-3821
Roxanne Harkcom
404-463-9016
Linda Smith
404-657-4219
Monte Harris
404-656-6691
Legislative Liaison
Matthew Kloiber
404-463-5177
Tyler Mashburn
404-651-7616
Nancy Nevels
404-463-1907
All email addresses follow this format: [email protected]
Tanya Osby
404-463-0237
Tax Intercept
Michael Cuccaro
404-656-7780
Georgia Judicial Exchange
Information Technology
Jorge Basto
Division Director
404-657-9673
Tajsha Dekine
404-656-3479
Arnold Schoenberg
404-463-6343
Willie Alcantara
404-519-9989
Bradley Allen
404-657-1770
John Botero
404-463-7340
Angela He
404-651-8169
Wendy Hosch
404-656-7788
Christina Liu
404-651-8180
Tony Mazza
404-657-4006
Michael Neuren
404-657-4218
Juawon Osby
470- 747-9785
Wanda Paul
404-538-0849
Kriste Pope
404-731-1358
Pete Tyo
404-731-1357
All email addresses follow this format: [email protected]
Judicial Council of Georgia
General Session
The Carter Center Atlanta, GA
December 9, 2016 ● 10:00 a.m.
Members Present
Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson, Chair
Presiding Justice P. Harris Hines
Judge Tangela Barrie
Judge Kristina Hammer Blum
Judge Rooney Bowen
Judge Benjamin P. Brinson
Judge Carl C. Brown
Judge Melodie Snell Conner
Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard
Chief Judge Sara L. Doyle
Judge Joseph Iannazzone (for Judge
Gregory Fowler)
Judge Kathy S. Palmer (for Judge Donald
W. Gillis)
Judge Stephen Goss
Judge James M. Griner, Jr.
Judge Gary E. Jackson
Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr.
Mr. Patrick T. O’Connor
Judge Alice Padgett
Judge Emory Palmer (for Judge Brian
Amero)
Judge Jack Partain
Judge John A. Roberts
Judge Stephen Scarlett
Judge Tilman Self III
Judge Richard A. Slaby
Judge Arthur Lee Smith
Judge Alford Dempsey (for Judge Gail S.
Tusan)
Judge James Whitfield
Staff Present
Ms. Cynthia H. Clanton, Director
Mr. Brad Allen
Mr. Robert Aycock
Ms. Michelle Barclay
Ms. Jacqueline Booker
Ms. Kim Burley
Ms. Jessica Farah
Ms. Ashley Garner
Mr. Christopher Hansard
Mr. Tyler Mashburn
Ms. Tracy Mason
Ms. LaShawn Murphy
Ms. Tara Smith
Ms. Ashley Stollar
Guests (Appended)
1
Call to Order and Welcome
The meeting of the Judicial Council of Georgia (Council) was called to order at 10:03
a.m. by Chief Justice Thompson. Members and designees identified themselves for the purposes
of roll call, followed by staff and guests. The Chief Justice recognized those representatives
sitting in as designees for absent members 1 and indicated they would have voting privileges for
the meeting.
Adoption of Minutes – October 28, 2016
Chief Justice Thompson directed the Council’s attention to the minutes of the October 28
2016, meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was offered by Judge Conner, followed by a
second from Judge Whitfield. No discussion was offered and the motion passed unanimously.
Preparing for the 2017 Legislative Session
Representative Chuck Efstration spoke to the Council about the upcoming legislative
session. Rep. Efstration outlined several major issues expected to come before the General
Assembly, including education and transportation, as well as issues he will be focused on as a
member of the Criminal Justice Reform Council. He stated that legislators should be an ear to
judges as the legislative and judicial branches work to improve Georgia through criminal justice
reform. Chief Justice Thompson thanked Rep. Efstration for his service to the state.
Ms. Christine Butcher and Mr. Rusty Sewell spoke to the Council about the State Bar’s
legislative package and collaboration with the judiciary on items that may affect the bench and
bar. Justice David Nahmias spoke in detail about the work being done to inform the development
of new legislation regarding the Judicial Qualifications Commission; the intent is to pass
legislation to have a new Commission in place on July 1, 2017. Mr. Tyler Mashburn provided an
update on the item’s in the Council’s legislative package.
Chief Justice Thompson thanked Rep. Efstration, Mr. Sewell, and Ms. Butcher and
encouraged everyone to continue working together.
Justice Hines recognized Mr. John Sammon and announced his position as Interim
Director of the Office of Bar Admissions.
1
See Members Present on page 1
2
Committee Reports
Policy and Legislative Committee. Justice Hines reported that the Committee met on
November 30, 2016, to continue preparing for the 2017 session.
Justice Hines summarized the recommendation to amend Title 36 of the O.C.G.A.,
proposed by the Council of Municipal Court Judges. Judge Jackson was recognized to speak to
the item. By way of the Committee report, Justice Hines moved that the Council support
legislation to amend Title 36 of the O.C.G.A. to authorize the Council of Municipal Court Judges
to create a tax deferred savings plan. Judge Jackson moved, followed by a second from Judge
Slaby. The motion was approved without opposition.
Justice Hines summarized the proposal brought on behalf of the Council of Municipal
Court Judges to seek commemorative resolutions in recognition of Mr. Rich Reaves and Ms.
Kathy Adams for their service and retirement. Judge Jackson expressed appreciation to Mr.
Reaves and Ms. Adams. By way of the Committee report, Justice Hines moved that the Council
request commemorative resolutions be issued recognizing the service of Mr. Rich Reaves and
Ms. Kathy Adams to the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education (ICJE) and the judicial
branch of Georgia, on the occasion of their respective retirements effective December 31, 2016.
Judge Iannazzone moved, followed by a second from Judge Smith. The motion was approved
without opposition.
Judge Palmer expressed her appreciation to Mr. Reaves and Ms. Adams and, on behalf of
the ICJE Board of Trustees, announced the selection of Mr. Doug Ashworth as the Executive
Director of ICJE effective January 1, 2017. She also expressed her appreciation to Ms. Clanton
and her staff for their support to the Board during the hiring process.
Justice Hines summarized the recommendation to amend Title 19 of the O.C.G.A.,
proposed by the Georgia Commission on Child Support. By way of the Committee report, Justice
Hines moved that the Council support legislation to amend O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 and related
sections to give judges discretion to remove work related child support expenses from the child
support worksheet and order it paid separate from child support; to make the parenting time
deviation positive or negative; to allow the court to order two child support amounts, supported
by worksheets, when circumstances will occur within two years that will cause the support
amount to change, such as the emancipation of a child; to require that all relevant schedules be
filed with the worksheet; and to update language, correct errors, and make consistent the name of
3
the child support enforcement agency. Judge Shawn LaGrua, representing the Commission,
stated that the proposal was mostly clean up and also intended to help self-represented litigants
understand the statute more easily. Judge Conner moved the proposal be approved, followed by a
second from Judge Blum. The motion was approved without opposition.
Justice Hines summarized the recommendation to amend Title 44 of the O.C.G.A.,
proposed by the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. Judge Blum was recognized to speak to the
item. By way of the Committee report, Justice Hines moved that the Council support legislation
to amend Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the O.C.G.A. to provide that a writ of possession shall be
effective for a period of thirty days after its issuance, except as otherwise provided in O.C.G.A. §
44-7-56 or otherwise extended by court order. Judge Griner moved, followed by a second from
Judge Bowen. The motion was approved without opposition.
Justice Hines thanked the Committee for its work, and reminded everyone to bring all
potential legislative items through the Committee process.
Ad Hoc Committee on Process Servers. Judge Shawn LaGrua stated the Committee has
been working on potential revisions to the rules, but noted that with the pending case in the Court
of Appeals it may be advantageous to delay any revisions under after the ruling. She indicated
she would provide another report at the next Council meeting.
Court Reporting Matters Committee. Judge Dillard referred to the written report provided
in the materials. He presented an amendment to Rule 2.3(A) of Judicial Council Policies and
Fees for Court Reporting Services in Criminal Cases. Judge Palmer moved for the adoption of
amended Rule 2.3(A), followed by a second from Judge Padgett, and the motion passed without
opposition. Judge Dillard next presented an amendment to Article 6 of the Board of Court
Reporting Rules and Regulations, allowing a judge to extend an Emergency Judicial Permit for
an additional year. A motion was made to adopt amended Article 6, which was followed by a
second, and the motion passed without opposition.
The Chief Justice called for a ten-minute break. The meeting reconvened at 11:33 a.m.
Report from Judicial Council/AOC
Ms. Clanton reported on the recent work of the agency in support of the Judicial Council.
She noted the Judicial Council/AOC FY 2016 Annual Report was placed at each seat and asked
for members’ feedback. She spoke to the agency’s partnership with the U.S. Department of State
and the upcoming plans to send a group of judges to the Republic of Georgia to train judges there
4
on how to conduct jury trials. Ms. Clanton reported on recent work including: the Veteran judges
feature on the agency’s website and social media during the month of November, led by the
Office of Communications; strategic planning in the Information Technology division and
participation in the Juvenile Data Exchange Project; and, support to the Commission on
Interpreters to roll out a glossary of legal terms to facilitate the translation of court forms into
Spanish. She thanked AOC staff for their hard work and support over the past year and noted her
continuing travels to visit judges. Ms. Clanton closed her remarks by expressing her
appreciation, respect and well wishes to Chief Justice Thompson, and stated the agency’s
continuing commitment to serving the judiciary.
Reports from Appellate Courts and Trial Court Councils
Supreme Court. Chief Justice Thompson congratulated the newly appointed justices and
said the Court would be very strong with these new members and under the new leadership. He
also congratulated the newly appointed judges to the Court of Appeals. The Chief Justice
commended the staff of both courts for their work to make the shift in jurisdiction as seamless as
possible. During subsequent reports from the Court of Appeals, trial court councils and
constituent groups, Chief Justice Thompson was thanked for his leadership and service to the
judiciary.
Court of Appeals. Chief Judge Doyle reported that the Court is livestreaming oral
arguments and will have new rules effective January 1, 2017. She recognized the new judges
appointed to the Court of Appeals.
Council of Superior Court Judges. Judge Johnson referred members to the written report
provided in the materials.
Council of State Court Judges. Judge Slaby referred members to the written report
provided in the materials.
Council of Juvenile Court Judges. Judge Brinson announced the Council is moving
forward with its legislation.
Council of Probate Court Judges. Judge Padgett referred members to the written report
provided in the materials.
Council of Magistrate Court Judges. Judge Blum referred members to the written report
provided in the materials.
5
Council of Municipal Court Judges. Judge Jackson referred members to the written report
provided in the materials.
State Bar of Georgia
Mr. O’Connor expressed his appreciation for the State Bar’s inclusion on the Council. He
reported that the agreement to place the Institute for Continuing Legal Education under the State
Bar is in the final stages and wished Mr. Ashworth well in his new position. Mr. O’Connor spoke
to the strong relationship between Georgia’s bench and bar.
Council of Accountability Court Judges
Ms. Taylor Jones referred members to the written report provided in the materials. She
provided an overview of the Council’s current activities, including the onboarding of two new
accountability court programs in January.
Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution
A written report was provided in the materials.
Report from the Georgia Council of Court Administrators
Ms. Yolanda Lewis spoke to the Council’s work to plan the Spring Conference, which
will center on the theme of public trust and confidence, and the hosting of an Institute for Court
Management training next week.
Old Business
No old business was offered.
New Business
No new business was offered.
Concluding Remarks
Justice Nahmias spoke to the amended Rule 3.15 of the Code of Judicial Conduct and
indicated the form would be available online in the next week. Ms. Clanton thanked Chief
Justice Thompson for his service and presented him with a token on behalf of the Judicial
Council and AOC staff. The Chief Justice thanked everyone for their service to the judiciary, the
Bar and the State, and for their friendship over the years. Certificates were presented to Judge
Barrie and Judge Self as outgoing members of the Council.
6
Adjournment
Hearing no further business, Chief Justice Thompson adjourned the meeting at 12:18
p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
_____________________________
Tracy Mason
Assistant Director, Judicial Council/AOC
For Cynthia H. Clanton, Director and Secretary
The above and foregoing minutes
were approved on the ________ day of
________________, 2017.
__________________________________
P. Harris Hines
Chief Justice
7
Judicial Council of Georgia
General Session
The Carter Center Macon, GA
December 9, 2016 ● 10:00 a.m.
Guests Present
Mr. Todd Ashley, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia
Mr. Todd Ashworth, Institute of Continuing Legal Education
Mr. Joe Baden, Third Judicial Administrative District
Ms. Tee Barnes, Supreme Court of Georgia
Judge Amanda Baxter, Office of State Administrative Hearings
Mr. Josh Becker, Council of Accountability Court Judges
Mr. Bob Bray, Council of State Court Judges
Ms. Christine Butcher, State Bar of Georgia
Ms. Robin Coggswell, Fulton County Superior Court
Mr. Richard F. Denney, First Judicial Administrative District
Representative Chuck Efstration, Georgia House of Representatives
Mr. Steven Ferrell, Ninth Judicial Administrative District
Trooper Dexter Harden, Georgia State Patrol
Judge Alan Harvey, Council of Magistrate Court Judges
Mr. Kevin Holder, Council of Probate Court Judges
Mr. Mike Holiman, Council of Superior Court Clerks
Mr. Eric John, Council of Juvenile Court Judges
Ms. Taylor Jones, Council of Accountability Court Judges
Judge Betsey Kidwell, Council of Magistrate Court Judges
Judge Shawn LaGrua, Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit
Ms. Sandy Lee, Council of Superior Court Judges
Ms. Yolanda Lewis, Fifth Judicial Administrative District
Ms. Cathy McCumber, Fourth Judicial Administrative District
Justice Harold Melton, Supreme Court of Georgia
Ms. Tia Milton, Supreme Court of Georgia
Mr. Charles Miller, Council of Superior Court Judges
Mr. David Mixon, Second Judicial Administrative District
Justice David Nahmias. Supreme Court of Georgia
Mr. Jay Neal, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Ms. Jody Overcash, Seventh Judicial Administrative District
Mr. Rich Reaves, Institute of Continuing Judicial Education
Ms. Sharon Reiss, Council of Magistrate Court Judges
Mr. Ryan Roenigk, GreenCourt Legal Technologies
Mr. John Sammon, Office of Bar Admissions
Mr. Rusty Sewell, Georgia Capital Partners
Ms. Rita Sheffey, Emory Law School
Mr. William Simmons, Sixth Judicial Administrative District
Ms. Sonja Allen Smith, Office of Planning and Budget
Mr. Bryan Tyson, Georgia Public Defender Council
Judge W. Allen Wigington, Magistrate Court of Pickens County
Filing of post-judgment actions (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77 & 15-6-61) - Proposal
O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77
e) Costs in civil cases:
•
•
•
(1) As used in this subsection, the term "civil cases" shall include all actions, cases, proceedings,
motions, or filings civil in nature, including but not limited to actions for divorce, domestic
relations actions, modifications on closed civil cases, adoptions, condemnation actions, and
actions for the validation and confirmation of revenue bonds. Any postjudgment proceeding
filed more than 30 days after judgment or dismissal in an action shall be considered as a new
case for the purposes of this Code section and shall be given a new case number by the clerk of
superior court.
(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, the total sum for all services
rendered by the clerk of the superior court through entry of judgment in civil cases shall be
$58.00. Such sum shall not be required if the party desiring to file such case or proceeding is
unable, because of indigence, to pay such sum and such party files with the clerk an affidavit to
such effect, as provided by law. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be deemed to require
advance payment of such sum by the state, its agencies, or political subdivisions.
(3) In all cases involving condemnations or the validation and confirmation of revenue bonds,
the following additional sums shall be charged at the conclusion of the action:
o (A) Validation and confirmation of revenue bonds pursuant to Code
Section 36-82-79, first 500 bonds, each................$ 1.00
All bonds over 500, each................................… .50
(B) Recording on final record, per page...........................1.50
O.C.G.A. § 15-6-61
§ 15-6-61. Duties of clerks generally; computerized record-keeping system
•
(a) It is the duty of a clerk of superior court:
o (1) To keep the clerk's office and all things belonging thereto at the county site and at
the courthouse or at such other place or places as authorized by law;
o (2) To attend to the needs of the court through the performance of the duties of the
clerk required and enumerated by law, or as defined in court order, or rules;
o (3) To issue and sign every summons, writ, execution, process, order, or other paper
under authority of the court and attach seals thereto when necessary. The clerk shall be
authorized to issue and sign under authority of the court any order to show cause in any
pending litigation and any other order in the nature of a rule nisi, where no injunctive or
extraordinary relief is granted;
o (4) To keep in the clerk's office the following:
▪ (A) An automated civil case management system which shall contain separate
case number entries for all civil actions filed in the office of the clerk, including
complaints, proceedings, Uniform Interstate Family Support Act actions,
domestic relations, contempt actions, motions and modifications on closed civil
Filing of post-judgment actions (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77 & 15-6-61) - Proposal
▪
▪
actions, any postjudgment proceeding filed more than 30 days after judgment
or dismissal in an action, and all other actions civil in nature except adoptions;
(B) An automated criminal case management system which shall contain a
summary record of all criminal indictments in which true bills are rendered and
all criminal accusations filed in the office of clerk of superior court. The criminal
case management system shall contain entries of other matters of a criminal
nature filed with the clerk, including quasi-civil proceedings and entries of cases
which are ordered dead docketed at the discretion of the presiding judge and
which shall be called only at the judge's pleasure. When a case is thus dead
docketed, all witnesses who may have been subpoenaed therein shall be
released from further attendance until resubpoenaed; and
(C) A docket, file, series of files, book or series of books, microfilm records, or
electronic data base for recording all deeds, liens, executions, lis pendens, maps
and plats, and all other documents concerning or evidencing title to real or
personal property. When any other law of this state refers to a general
execution docket, lis pendens docket, or attachment docket, such other law
shall be deemed to refer to the docket or other record or records provided for
in this subparagraph, regardless of the format used to store such docket;
Judicial Council of Georgia
Administrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice P. Harris Hines
Chair
Cynthia H. Clanton
Director
Memorandum
TO:
Judicial Council of Georgia
FROM:
Chief Judge W. Allen Wigington, Chair
RE:
Strategic Plan Standing Committee Report
DATE:
February 16, 2017
The Strategic Plan Standing Committee convened on January 24, 2017 to discuss Strategic Plan key
initiatives related to legislative communications, promoting transparency in the courts and the use of
technology as a communications tool, enhancing the image of the judiciary, the use of CourTools
measures to promote access and fairness in the courts, and modernizing court information collection
and assessment.
The Committee approved creating short videos that highlight the work of judges throughout Georgia.
The videos are expected to be created quarterly in conjunction with the Georgia Courts Journal and
will be included on the AOC’s social media pages as part of the effort to promote transparency in
the courts and enhance the image of the judiciary in the community.
As part of the prior Judicial Council Strategic Plan, an access and fairness survey of court users was
previously conducted in 2014. An overview of CourTools performance measures was presented to
courts and court staff after the survey. The Committee recommended surveying courts that were
previously part of the access and fairness survey to determine what improvement strategies the courts
have implemented before determining if conducting another survey of court users is necessary.
Informational Item:
The Committee moved to make the Georgia Courts Directory an electronic directory available online
and discontinue printing. An electronic Directory will allow changes to be made throughout the year
allowing for an up to date Directory. Directories have previously only been available in print and
were updated once a year before printing. Printed Directories will be available upon request and will
printed and mailed out when requested. The electronic Georgia Courts Directory will be located on
the AOC website.
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-5171 • www.georgiacourts.gov
Judge E. R. “Ray” Lanier, Judge Pro Tem of the Norcross Municipal Court, has been appointed as a
new member of the Committee. Judge Lanier will fill the unexpired term of former Judge Leslie
Spornberger-Jones.
The next scheduled meeting of the Committee is March 28, 2017 at the State Bar of Georgia.
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-5171 • www.georgiacourts.gov
Judicial Council of Georgia
Administrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice P. Harris Hines
Chair
Cynthia H. Clanton
Director
Memorandum
TO:
Judicial Council of Georgia
FROM:
Stephanie Hines, Judicial Council/ AOC
RE:
Judicial Council Standing Committee on Training and Education
DATE:
February 15, 2017
The Judicial Council Standing Committee on Training and Education (JCSCET) was established
by Supreme Court Order (Nunc Pro Tunc) September 1, 2016. The Committee exists solely to
make recommendations of best practices in training and education of trial court judges to the
Judicial Council.
Judge Brian M. Rickman of Georgia Court of Appeals serves as Chair. The Committee held its
inaugural meeting, January 23, 2017. Chief Judge Allen Wigington, Chair of the Judicial Council
Strategic Plan Standing Committee attended the meeting and gave an overview of the standing
committee’s purpose as envisioned by the Judicial Council. He also emphasized the JCSCET
prioritized key initiative #6, which is to “promote effective multi-disciplinary judicial education
practices across multiple councils and groups.”
JC/AOC Judicial Services Division Director, Christopher Hansard, gave a presentation of the
Institute of Court Management’s Education, Training, and Development Course that he took at
the National Center for State Courts. Mr. Hansard shared some of the course curriculum,
specifically relevant to adult education, and offered suggested next steps for Georgia Judicial
Education. He stressed the importance of having properly trained educators who are aptly
equipped to utilize education techniques, the need to improve evaluation processes, develop
action plans for cross jurisdictional training opportunities, and optimize available resources. He
emphasized the value and practical takeaways from the course, and urged anyone on the
committee to take the course if presented with an opportunity to do so.
The JCSCET also identified five advisory members to appoint to the committee. They are Judge
Russell W. Smith, Mountain Circuit, the Executive Director of the Institute of Continuing
Judicial Education, President of the State Bar of Georgia, or his or her designee, Tangela King,
or other designee to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and the President of Georgia
Council of Court Administrators, or his or her designee.
The committee plans to meet quarterly until it is better situated to identify future action items.
Future meeting dates are set for April 6, July (TBA), and October 5, 2017.
Judicial Council of Georgia
Administrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice P. Harris Hines
Chair
Cynthia H. Clanton
Director
Memorandum
TO:
Judicial Council of Georgia
FROM:
Karlise Y. Grier and Cynthia Clanton
CC:
Justice Robert Benham; Justice Carol W. Hunstein; Justice Britt C. Grant
RE:
Access, Fairness, Public Trust and Confidence Standing Committee Report
DATE:
February 15, 2017
Informational Item:
The Judicial Council’s Access, Fairness, Public Trust and Confidence Standing Committee
(Committee) published a handbook for courts on the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) in
2004. The Committee is currently working on publishing an updated handbook and hopes to
have the first hardcopies of the handbook printed this month.
In the course of updating the handbook, the Committee found that some states have adopted
position statements or issued Supreme Court orders reiterating a court’s obligations under the
ADA. The Committee suggests that the Judicial Council consider adopting a similar position
statement for inclusion in the online version of the handbook and in future printed copies of the
handbook. A directive from the Supreme Court of Colorado restating a court’s obligations under
the ADA is attached.
Mike Galifianakis, the State ADA Coordinator, has served as an expert consultant to the
Committee on the handbook and is available to answer technical questions about the proposed
position statement. Additionally, if you have any comments or concerns about the position
statement, please send them to Cynthia Clanton by April 3, 2017.
Attachment
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-5171 • www.georgiacourts.gov
Directive 04-07
SUPREME COURT OF COLORADO
Office of the Chief Justice
Access to Court Services and Programs for People with Disabilities
This directive is issued to ensure equal access to and full participation in court and probation services and
programs by people with disabilities, including attorneys, litigants, defendants, probationers, witnesses,
victims, potential jurors, prospective employees and public observers of court proceedings.
1.
Qualified people with disabilities shall not, by reason of their disability, be discriminated against, or be
excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of services and programs conducted by the courts,
including probation.
2.
A person with a disability is defined as an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more of the major life activities, has a record of such impairment or is
regarded as having such impairment.
3.
Upon notification by a person with a disability of the need for accommodation, the court shall, at no
charge, provide reasonable accommodation that will enable the person to access and/or effectively
participate in or enjoy the benefits of any court or probation service or program. This directive shall
not apply to accommodations necessary for participation in services and programs that are not
conducted by the courts, including court-ordered treatment and services provided or offered by
treatment agencies or other providers.
4.
The local administrative authority, with the assistance of the ADA coordinator, shall determine what
reasonable accommodation will be made. Consultation shall occur with the individual to explore his or
her limitations and the options available for accommodating the disability. Primary consideration shall
be given to the requested accommodation; however, alternative accommodation may be offered if
equally effective. The court or probation department is not required to make modifications that would
fundamentally alter the service or program or cause undue financial or administrative burden.
5.
With the exception of the appointment of an interpreter for a deaf or hard of hearing individual
pursuant to section 13-90-204 (1), C.R.S., the Judicial Department shall provide and pay the
reasonable costs of any necessary auxiliary aids or services, excluding devices of a personal nature, for
the duration of the time period for which accommodation is needed. Examples of auxiliary aids or
services of a personal nature not covered by this directive include prescription eyeglasses, hearing aids,
wheelchairs, and/or personal medical or attendant care.
6.
If accommodation is needed for an individual to serve on jury duty and a time constraint exists related
to the availability of an accommodation, the court, at its discretion, may continue an individual’s jury
summons to allow the court time to provide the accommodation. Any accommodation shall be made
for the duration of any jury trial on which the person needing the accommodation serves.
APPROVED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE
/S/
Mary J. Mullarkey
June 18, 2004
Date
Judicial Council of Georgia
Administrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice P. Harris Hines
Chair
Cynthia H. Clanton
Director
Memorandum
TO:
Judicial Council of Georgia
FROM:
Michelle Barclay, Division Director
RE:
Communications, Children, Families and the Courts Division
DATE:
February 24, 2017
The Communications, Children, Families and the Courts Division of the AOC serves as the hub for all
communications and provides staff for the Supreme Court of Georgia Committee on Justice for Children,
now chaired by Justice David Nahmias; the Georgia Commission on Child Support, chaired by Judge
Michael Key; and the Access, Fairness, Public Trust and Confidence Committee of the Judicial Council,
co-chaired by Justice Robert Benham and Justice Carol Hunstein, of which Justice Britt Grant has now
become a committee member; as well as any grant funded work related to children and families. This
Division also assists with general grant research for courts in partnership with the legal staff in the
Director’s Division.
Staff also serves as a liaison to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV), chaired by Holly
Tuchman, and the Council of Accountability Court Judges with Judge Jason Deal as its current President.
Following is a brief synopsis of the work.
•
Committee on Justice for Children (J4C): Former Juvenile Court Judge Jerry Bruce was hired
in the month of January 2017 to be the main staff and program attorney for the J4C. The federal
grant funding for J4C work was decreased by two-thirds in September 30, 2016 and work is being
prioritized to the Case Process Reporting System, the Cold Case Project and the Court
Improvement Initiative. The next meeting is May 5, 2017. See: j4c.georgiacourts.gov
•
Communications: Improving communication can improve justice in all Georgia courts through
collaboration and innovation so it continues as a priority under the Judicial Council Strategic
Plan. Staff works daily to promote and even generate positive content about Georgia’s judicial
branch, all courts, and judges. Our aim with this content continues to instill faith in our state’s
system of justice and the rule of law.
Daily and periodic tasks within Communications include writing the JC/AOC Annual Report,
publishing the Courts Journal; maintaining the Georgia Courts Directory; assisting with drafting
and distribution of press releases; updating Judicial Council materials; providing substantive
content for our Facebook/Twitter pages and the JC/AOC website
(https://www.facebook.com/GACourts and https://twitter.com/Gacourts) and
http://georgiacourts.gov; taking photos and drafting daily messages for events and
communications. Several events are being planned to celebrate Law Day in the month of May
2017 including another Twitter Town Hall, a coloring and drawing contest for children, a Day on
the Bench event and coverage for a “fairy tale trial” by judges in the Bell-Forsyth Circuit.
•
Child Support Commission: The Commission staff works collaboratively with Georgia’s
Department of Human Services in several areas, including the Parental Accountability Courts and
training court coordinators on use of the database that will give us statistical evidence of the
efficacy of those courts; we have just instigated a study with our Research Department using this
data. We have been attending Kickoffs for the many new Parental Accountability Courts this
month. The Commission has two bills filed (HB 212 and HB 308) in the 2017 session of the
General Assembly. Courts, attorneys, mediators and the public are using the new online
calculator; the only issue continues to be internet connectivity within the courthouses around the
state. Commission staff is training users on the new calculator, and has videos available on its
website for use by self-represented litigants. Upcoming: training SAAGs and ADAs on February
21, 2017; a lunch and learn for the Clayton County Bar Family Law Section on February 24,
2017. http://csc.georgiacourts.gov/
•
Access, Fairness, and Public Trust and Confidence Committee (AFPTCC): The AFPTCC
continues to work on a variety of projects designed to strengthen the public’s trust and confidence
in the judicial system. The AFPTCC also recently expanded its mission so that it may consider
issues of access and fairness as it relates to “gender identity.” Several new members have joined
AFPTCC including Justice Britt Grant, Judge Joseph Booth, Judge Linda S. Cowen, Judge Jane
Morrison, attorney Antonio DelCampo and attorney Jana Edmondson. The AFPTCC is working
on a variety of projects, including a handbook entitled "A Meaningful Opportunity to Participate:
A Handbook for Georgia Court Officials on Courtroom Accessibility for Individuals with
Disabilities," which will be published in 2017. Under the leadership of Justice Carol W. Hunstein
and Chief Judge Sara Doyle, the AFPTCC is spearheading planning for the 2017 Annual
Conference of the National Association of Women Judges. The theme for the conference is
Access to Justice: Past, Present and Future. Confirmed speakers include Justice Michael Boggs,
Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears (Ret.), Judge Herbert Phipps (Ret.), Judge Frank Hull, Judge
Beverly Martin, Judge Julie E. Carnes, Judge Jill A. Pryor, Judge Leigh May, Judge Amy
Totenberg, and Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and Senior
Advisor to the Secretary of State, Susan Coppedge. The AFPTCC is in the process of
determining the appropriate next steps in follow-up to a symposium entitled “Georgia Reflections
on Ferguson – The Role of the Courts” held at Mercer University on December 15, 2016, in
collaboration with the Council of Municipal Court Judges (CMunCJ) and the Institute of
Continuing Judicial Education. Judge Latisha Dear-Jackson and Judge Leslie Spornberger Jones
provided leadership for the symposium, which was attended by over 200 people and received
excellent evaluations. Over the next few months, the AFPTCC will work with ICJE’s new
director on proposed trainings for each of Georgia’s class of courts on court-specific training on
Human Trafficking. The AFPTCC recently hired an intern from the Georgia State University
Center for Access to Justice who is working on an article on court-based self-help programs for
the Courts Journal. Finally, the AFPTCC is developing other projects ideas for the 2017 year.
Please visit the AFPTCC website for updates on new committee projects and for more
information about the above-referenced projects. http://afptc.georgiacourts.gov/
•
Family Violence Grants: In addition to serving as liaison to the GCFV as mentioned previously,
the staff in this division works with multiple state partners on to address family violence case
improvement. A Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) Violence Against Women Act
(VAWA) grant ended on December 31, 2016 which resulted in a written report on best practices
within the Georgia Courts that focus on domestic violence cases. Going forward, this CJCC grant
will be used in 2017 to bring a national DV training to Georgia's judges. Staff also provides
support to the state funded civil legal services grants for victims of domestic violence. Legal
leadership on these grants provided by AOC attorney Patricia Buonodono, with daily fiscal
management provided by Linda Smith and budget to program compliance provided by AOC
Chief Budget Officer, Ashley Garner.
Judicial Council of Georgia
Administrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice P. Harris Hines
Chair
Cynthia H. Clanton
Director
Memorandum
TO:
Judicial Council of Georgia
FROM:
Randy Dennis, Division Director
RE:
Financial Administration Division, Tax Refund Intercept Program
DATE:
February 24, 2017
So far in 2017, nineteen participating courts have requested intercepts of $4.3 million dollars in unpaid
fines and fees. Another nineteen courts are in various stages of entering the program. For comparison,
eleven courts joined the pilot program last year, and nine successfully requested intercepts. We were
pleased when one of our new courts wrote us that “everything has come together very nicely and has been
easy to operate.”
That said, participating in the tax refund intercept program does take real effort on the part of the courts.
Not only do courts need to identify, certify and manage debts, the program also requires that courts mail
out notices to court debtors prior to requesting an intercept. The notice requirement helps ensure that the
program is considered fair, and it allows debtors to pay their debt and avoid the administrative fee that is
attached to intercepts. The good news is that debtors respond to this notice. Courts are collecting
thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars based on the notifications alone. What we find is that there
is a positive correlation between the effort a court puts into the program and the amount of money it
collects.
As of Friday, February 10th, the Department of Revenue has collected $27,388 on behalf of the
participating courts. This is an incredible improvement over last year’s collections as of the same date,
which on February 10th, 2016 stood at $671.00. During the tax season staff works with debtors to
understand the intercept process and their options under the law, and with court staff to fulfill their
responsibilities. We are particularly on the lookout for instances of defendants appropriating the identity
of taxpayers, which has been uncovered in at least two instances so far.
It is too early to make predictions, but TRIP staff are cautiously optimistic that revenues in this first year
of the permanent program will further validate the effort and reinforce respect for court judgments not just
in participating courts, but statewide. Courts that are not yet participating may contact the Judicial
Council/Administrative Office of the Courts for an application.
Judicial Council Operations Fiscal Year 2017
Financial Report as of January 31st
DEPARTMENT
Administrative Office of The Courts
PROJECT
Total FY 2017
Budget
$ 6,709,042
YTD TOTAL
EXPENDITURES
$
4,000,977
REMAINING
Budget Spent
$ 2,708,065
59.64%
Child Support Collaborative
174 $
116,667
$
67,232 $
49,435
57.63%
Georgia Council of Court Administrators
141 $
19,057
$
438 $
18,619
2.30%
Council of Magistrate Court Judges
204 $
187,927
$
88,299 $
99,628
46.99%
Council of Probate Court Judges
205 $
180,030
$
60,955
$
119,075
33.86%
Council of State Court Judges
206 $
255,300
$
145,970
$
109,330
57.18%
Council of State Court Judges Ret.
207 $ 2,306,734
$
1,381,590
$
925,144
59.89%
Council of Municipal Court Judges
142 $
16,185 $
9,384
$
6,801
57.98%
Legal Services for Domestic Violence
103 $ 2,500,000
2,425,000 $
75,000
97.00%
$ 1,403,031
74.86%
Other Judicial Council Subprograms
$
$ 5,581,900 $
4,178,869
Accountability Courts
195 $
611,070
$
180,408
$
430,662
29.52%
Resource Center
500 $
800,000
$
466,667
$
333,333
58.33%
Judicial Qualifications Commission
400 $
534,149
$
156,491
$
377,658
29.30%
Inst of Continuing Jud Ed Operations
300 $
6,022 $
17,978
25.09%
Inst of Continuing Jud Ed Administration
301 $
224,138
54.41%
24,000 $
491,657
$
267,519
$
Separate Judicial Council Programs
$ 2,460,876 $
1,077,106
$ 1,383,770
39.33%
TOTAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL
$ 14,751,818 $
9,256,952
$ 5,494,866
62.75%
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia
Suite 104, 18 Capitol Square, Atlanta, Georgia 30334
(404) 656-4964 Fax (404) 651-8626
Council of Superior Court Judges
Report to Judicial Council
February 2017
The Council of Superior Court Judges held its annual conference and winter training seminar
in Athens, Georgia, January 17-20, 2017. Due to the departure of President-Elect Judge Tripp
Self for a position on the Court of Appeals, additional officer elections were held. Judge
Kathy Stephens Palmer, previously serving as Secretary-Treasurer, was elected to move up
immediately to take Judge Self’s position. Judge Palmer will then become President on May
1, 2017. Judge Stephen Kelley was elected to take Judge Palmer’s position as SecretaryTreasurer and will become President-Elect on May 1. Judge Shawn LaGrua will become
Secretary-Treasurer on May 1.
CSCJ is also proud to announce Judge Jason Deal as the winner of the 2017 Emory Findley
Award. This award is provided to the Superior Court Judge who has demonstrated exemplary
service and visionary leadership to the Council of Superior Court Judges and the judicial
system as a whole. Judge Deal was honored in a luncheon ceremony at the winter conference
in Athens, which was also attended by Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal.
This year's training agenda for the winter seminar included such topics as criminal justice
reform (presented by Justice Michael Boggs), adoption law updates, divorcing service
members, insurance law, protective orders, sovereign and civil immunity, timely filings with
the ethics commission, grandparent and other third party visitation, judicial mediation
strategies, and an update on the evidence code. There was also a special training for judges
handling death penalty cases. Approximately 220 superior court judges and senior judges
attended the conference.
Superior Courts now have 114 accountability courts, with more planned to begin throughout
the next year. Currently, accountability courts are operating in 47 of 49 circuits.
CSCJ is sad to report the death of Senior Judge Stephanie B. Manis, who passed away on
December 17, 2016. She served for more than 12 years as an active judge in the Atlanta
Judicial Circuit, taking senior status in 2007. She was 76 years old at the time of her death.
Council of State Court Judges
Impartial Courts  Judicial Excellence  Accessible and Efficient Justice
Executive Committee
Judge Richard A. Slaby
President (Richmond)
Judge H. Gregory Fowler
President Elect (Chatham)
Judge Nancy Bills
Secretary (Rockdale)
Judge Joseph C. Iannazzone
Treasurer (Gwinnett)
Judge Wayne M. Purdom
Past President (DeKalb)
District 1
Judge Leon M. Braun, Jr. (Liberty)
District 2
Judge R. Violet Bennett (Wayne)
District 3
Judge John K. Edwards, Jr. (Lowndes)
District 4
Judge Jason T. Harper (Henry)
District 5
Judge Alan W. Thrower (Baldwin)
District 6
Judge B. E. Gene Roberts, III (Hall)
District 7
Judge Wesley B. Tailor (Fulton)
District 8
Judge T. Russell McClelland (Forsyth)
244 Washington Street, S.W.
Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30334
Staff
Bob Bray
Executive Director
404-651-6204  FAX 404-463-5173
Report of the Council of State Court Judges
Judicial Council Meeting
February 24, 2017
Our Council welcomes Kathryn L. Powers as Judge to the State Court of Clayton County.
Judge Powers was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal on January 4, 2017. The vacancy
was created by the Governor’s appointment of former State Court Judge Aaron Mason to
the Superior Court of the Clayton Circuit.
The Council held a New Judge Orientation in Athens from January 30th – February 2nd for
12 new state court judges appointed and elected in 2016 and this year: Courses included
life changes by being a judge, an introduction to the state judicial branch; technology and
other resources available; a day devoted to criminal law and procedures; a day devoted to
civil law and procedures; juries; an impaired driving wet lab and field sobriety evaluations
and BAC testing conducted by local law enforcement officers; and a day about managing
traffic case calendaring; presentations by DDS and a course focused on domestic violence
cases. Breakout sessions on the last day focused on state court judges of part-time courts
and those of full-time courts. Our Council would like to recognize DeKalb County State
Court Judge Janis Gordon who is stepping down after many years as Dean of New Judge
Orientation
The 2017 State Court Judges’ Directory was published and distributed to all of our judges
and senior judges earlier this year.
Judge Eddie Barker from Douglas County State Court participated on a panel during the
luncheon seminar of the Impaired Driving Summit on December 1st at the Carter Center in
Atlanta. The summit, sponsored by AAA, brought leading experts to discuss ways of
addressing the increasing problems associated with impaired and distracted driving.
In preparation for next year’s time and motion study of the state and superior courts by the
National Center for State Courts and the Judicial Council’s Administrative Office of the
Courts; eight judges have been appointed to a focus work group to guide the participation
of our courts and training of our judges prior to conducting the study later this year. They
will be meeting with the superior court judges’ work group and the National Center for
State Courts on March 17th at the Douglas County Courthouse.
Our Council would like to recognize Fulton County State Court Judge Susan Edlein who
has updated all of our forms which were shared at the New Judge Orientation and made
available online to our members.
Earlier this month, our Executive Director and Senior Judge Charles Wynne met with staff
from the Georgia Department of Audits for an extensive discussion, as a follow up to the
Performance Audit conducted and published in December of 2014. We were delighted to
relay all of the significant improvements in the services provided by the Judicial Council’s
Administrative Office of the Courts to our Councils and Directors.
We would also like to recognize Henry County State Court Chief Judge Ben Studdard who
is part of a contingent of judges and attorneys travelling to the Republic of Georgia to assist
their courts with matters of juris prudence to improve the quality of justice currently
delivered by the courts in that country.
The Council regretfully shares the loss of Judge Morris E. Braswell who served with honor
and distinction at the State Court of Clayton County for twenty years and had recently been
appointed as a Senior Judge by Governor Nathan Deal.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard A. Slaby
Judge Richard A. Slaby
President, Council of State Court Judges
Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia
Judge Alice W. Padgett
President (Columbia)
Judge Rooney Bowen, III
President Elect (Dooly)
Judge Sarah Harris
First Vice President (Bibb County)
Report to Judicial Council of Georgia
February 24, 2017
Judge Darin McCoy
Secretary-Treasurer (Evans)
Judge Don Wilkes
Immediate Past President (Emanuel)
The following is a summary of activities and current initiatives by the Council of Probate Court Judges:
Probate Judges’ Day at the Capitol
The Council of Probate Court Judges hosted Probate Judges’ Day at the Capitol on January 25, 2017. Over
fifty judges gathered at the Capitol for pictures with Governor Nathan Deal and Lieutenant Governor Casey
Cagle, the State of the Judiciary presented by Chief Justice P. Harris Hines and our legislative luncheon,
which was yet another tremendous opportunity for us to welcome our legislators, their legislative staff
members and our colleagues of the judiciary.
Caseload Reporting
For the 2016 CY, probate judges will use a brand new template when uploading our caseload data, which is a
direct byproduct of the Council’s collaboration with the JC/AOC. As a result of the collaboration, Georgia’s
probate reporting is now aligned with national reporting standards and there will be an improvement in the
methods of dissemination of caseload information to stakeholders.
Vital Records
Judge Darin McCoy, chair of the Council’s Vital Records committee, has been working diligently with Ms.
Donna Moore, the Director of the State Office of Vital Records. Our Council’s leadership continues to
effectively advocate for the items that we feel are important to our Council’s membership.
Honorable Jeryl D. Rosh
The Council would like to extend its sincerest well-wishes to Judge Jeryl Rosh of the DeKalb County
Probate Court, who has tendered her resignation effective March 1, 2017. Since 2003, Judge Rosh has
dutifully served the citizens of DeKalb County and was an active member of our Council.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee met on January 24, 2017 in conjunction with Probate Judges’ Day at the Capitol.
The meeting was held at the State Bar of Georgia Building. We had the pleasure of receiving remarks from
Mr. Jeff Davis, the executive director of the State Bar of Georgia. The meeting was both productive and well
attended, as many of our new judges were in attendance. Our next Executive Committee meeting will be held
at our Spring Conference in April.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Padgett
Alice Padgett
President, Council of Probate Court Judges
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-5171 • Fax: 404-651-6449
Council of Magistrate Court Judges
244 Washington St., S.W., Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30334-5900
(404) 656-5171 • Fax (404) 651-6449
Georgiamagistratecouncil.com
President
Judge Kristina Hammer Blum
Gwinnett County
1st Vice-President
Judge James M. Griner, Jr
Screven County
2nd Vice-President
Judge Glenda Dowling
Pierce County
Secretary
Judge Berryl A. Anderson
DeKalb County
Treasurer
Judge Mary Kathryn Moss
Chatham County
Immediate Past President
Judge Robert E. Turner
Houston County
District One
Judge Michael Barker
Judge Jennifer Lewis
District Two
Judge Beth Carter
Judge Mark York
District Three
Judge Angela Sammons
Judge James Thurman
District Four
Judge Alan C. Harvey
Judge Phinia Aten
District Five
Judge James Altman
Judge J. Jessy Lall
District Six
Judge Marcia Calloway-Ingram
Judge Betsey Kidwell
District Seven
Judge Philip Taylor
Judge Haynes Townsend
District Eight
Judge Mike Greene
Judge Angela Steele
District Nine
Judge Gene Cantrell
Judge William Brogdon
District Ten
Judge Deborah L. Green
Judge Jason Troaino
Members- at- Large
Judge Wanda Dallas
Judge Connie Holt
To:
Chief Justice Harris P. Hines
Members of the Judicial Council of Georgia
Re:
Written Report of Council for Magistrate Court Judges
February 24, 2017 Judicial Council Meeting
Executive Director
Sharon Reiss
From: Judge Kristina Hammer Blum
President, Council of Magistrate Court Judges
Chief Magistrate, Gwinnett County Magistrate Court
The Council of Magistrate Court Judges (“CMCJ”) and Magistrate Court Training
Council (“MCTC”), in conjunction with ICJE, recently held the first Chief
Magistrate Recertification Training at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center
February 6-7, 2017. Approximately 60 Chief Magistrates from all over the State
attended. Training focused on issues unique to the role of Chief Magistrate. The
conference was so well received that MCTC plans to make it an annual training
opportunity.
On February 8, 2017, the CMCJ hosted the Second Annual Magistrate Day at the
Capitol. We had an excellent turnout for our breakfast to honor our valued
Legislators and Legislative Staff. It was a great opportunity to connect with other
Judges and Legislators.
The CMCJ continues to encourage and facilitate the exchange of ideas between
Magistrate Courts to improve consistency, efficiency, access, and the delivery of
meaningful justice to self-represented litigants in all Magistrate Courts. For
example, the CMCJ is currently working to expand its Forms Wizard to include
garnishments.
Finally, our next CMCJ meetings will be held on April 23-24, 2017, at the Augusta
Marriott. At those meetings, we will elect our slate of incoming CMCJ Officers for
2107-2018.
This concludes our February 2017 report.
Council of Municipal Court Judges
Report to the Judicial Council of Georgia - February 2017
Judge Gary E. Jackson, President
City of Atlanta
150 Garnett Street, S.W.
ATLANTA GA 30303 -3612
404-658-6966
[email protected]
Judge John Roberts, President Elect
City of Lithonia
[email protected]
Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson, Vice
President
City of Stone Mountain
[email protected]
Judge Rashida Oliver, Secretary
City of East Point
[email protected]
Judge John Clayton Davis
Treasurer
City of Love Joy
[email protected]
Judge Leslie Spornberger Jones
Immediate Past President
Athens- Clarke County
[email protected]
District One
Judge Richard Sanders
Judge Derek White
District Two
Judge Jason Moon
Judge Willie Weaver, Sr.
District Three
Judge Michael P. Cielinski
Judge James “Jim” Thurman
District Four
Judge Garland C. Moore
Judge John Roberts
District Five
Judge Christopher Portis
Judge Donald Schaefer
District Six
Judge J. Kristi Lovelace
Judge Christopher E. Chapman
District Seven
Judge Timothy McCreary
Judge Roger Rozen
District Eight
Judge Michael Gailey
Judge Tommy J. Smith
District Nine
Judge Pamela Boles
Judge Claude Mason
District Ten
Judge Lori Duff
Judge Dale Samuels
Here is an overview of recent events, programs, and activities of the Council of
Municipal Court Judges:
Legislation
For the 2017 session of the General Assembly, the Council of Municipal Court Judges
(CMuCJ) seeks legislation to create a Council of Municipal Court Judges Savings Plan.
The legislation proposes a new O.C.G.A. 36-32-41 and is designed to give the Council
the authority to create a tax deferred savings plan for all Council members in good
standing. This Savings Plan will require no local or State funding. SB 370 is
sponsored by: (1) Rep. Scott Hilton, 95th (2) Rep. Matt Hatchett, 150th (3) Rep. Jay
Powell, 171st and (4) Rep. Barry Fleming, 121st .
Additionally, the CMuCJ is actively participating through its representative on the
Certiorari Review Subcommittee. This worthwhile committee was established through
the auspices of the Judicial Council of Georgia (by way of the Policy and Legislative
Committee) to re-examine existing law with an effort to streamline and economize the
municipal court appellate practice in Georgia. The Council looks forward to the great
work to come from this working group.
Training Initiative(s) and Strengthening the Council
The CMuCJ once again is collaborating with the Access, Fairness, Public Trust and
Confidence (AFPTC) Committee, one of the Judicial Council’s standing committees, cochaired by Justice Benham and Justice Hunstein. The CMuCJ and AFPTC are in the
planning stages to conduct possible training in CY2017 on how courts can best provide
services to transgender individuals and training on implicit bias and human trafficking.
Council Meeting Endeavors
The Council has revived its Lunch 'n' Learn series through district meetings around the
State. The topics of discussion for the year is the 2014 medical amnesty law, opioids and
prescription drugs and the overdose reversal medication Naloxene (Harm
Reduction/Overdose Reversal), and best practices for courtroom security. Presentations
have been facilitated Andy Gish, R.N. B.S.N., Lesli Messinger, Founder & Director
Savannah Harm Reduction Coalition; and the Council’s own Judges Angel Brown and
Timothy Bumann.
Information Technology (IT) Strategic Planning
A technology plan was developed to enable the Council to continue to prioritize and
deliver the IT services that would best support its courts across the judicial system of
Georgia. As a critical component to the yearly development of the CMuCJ and the
services and representation it provides its membership, contributors will meet to reexamine those strategic goals, assess their progress in implementing them, set goals for
accomplishing those parts of the plan which have not yet been implemented, and
originate new initiates. Additionally, as a part of this process, participants will seek
alignment of the Strategic IT Plan with the Council’s current Strategic Business Plan and
that of the Judicial Council of Georgia.
The planning session is scheduled to be held April 19-20, 2017 in Macon, Georgia.
Next Meeting
The Council of Municipal Court Judges Executive Committee is scheduled to meet April
19-20, 2017 in Macon, Georgia.
Council of Accountability Court Judges
Judge Jason J. Deal
Executive Committee Chair
Northeastern Judicial Circuit
Taylor Jones
Executive Director
Council of Accountability Court Judges
Report to Judicial Council
February 2017
The time since the Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ) reported to the Judicial Council
in December 2016 has been busy with multiple meetings of the CACJ Executive Committee and the
CACJ Standards & Certification Committee. Both committees are working to complete numerous
strategic planning initiatives, including: providing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
education to the courts; hosting additional case management system trainings for the courts to
improve data collection; and fully implementing the Accountability Court peer review process. The
CACJ is working to develop the peer review materials for DUI Court divisions and Family
Treatment Court divisions. Additionally, the CACJ is engaged in a multi-year, in-depth study of
the effectiveness of Georgia’s Accountability Courts. The CACJ has partnered with the Criminal
Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) and Applied Research Services (ARS) to study recidivism
rates and Accountability Court program capacity. Additionally, the CACJ held its Semi-Annual
meeting in Athens, Georgia on January 20, 2017.
Further still, the CACJ is pursuing funds to create and hire an Accountability Court Treatment Support
Specialist. The purpose of the CACJ Treatment Support Specialist will be to monitor the CACJ funded
Accountability Courts’ treatment components. Should the CACJ receive funding for this positon, the
Treatment Support Specialist will perform fidelity monitoring of the CACJ funded treatment programs
to ensure that courts are accurately and faithfully following the evidence-based therapy intervention
models, curriculum, and/or protocol. The CACJ is able to provide evidenced-based treatment training
to the courts, such as Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) Therapy, Thinking for a Change (T4C),
and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). Additionally, the Treatment Support Specialist will provide
technical assistance to the courts and serve as a liaison between various state agencies, the courts, and
the CACJ. The Treatment Support Specialist will work closely with the Department of Behavioral
Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to facilitate services between the courts and assist in
drafting treatment service guidelines to determine the method in which Community Service Boards will
best serve Accountability Court Participants.
The CACJ is prepared to have a busy and productive 2017. The CACJ looks forward to continuing
to work closely with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council to further develop the Accountability Courts of Georgia under the guidance and expertise
of Judges.
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334
404.656.2613 • www.gaaccountabilitycourts.org
GEORGIA COMMISSION ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Chair
Hon. Charles E.
Auslander, III
Executive Director
Tracy B. Johnson
Commission Members
Justice Keith R. Blackwell
Justice Britt C. Grant
Emily S. Bair, Esq.
Hon. Jane C. Barwick
Hubert J. Bell, Jr., Esq.
Raymond C. Chadwick, Jr.,
Esq.
Mary Donovan, Esq.
Hon. C. Andrew Fuller
Melissa C. Heard, M.S.S.W.
Timothy Hedeen, Ph.D.
Hon. Stefani R. Lacour
Hon. Amanda H. Mercier
Hon. J. Carlisle Overstreet
Rep. Jay Powell, Esq.
Edith B. Primm, Esq.
Vjollca Prroni Young
Ex Officio Member:
Patrick J. O’Connor, Esq.
The following is an update on the initiatives and activities for the Commission on
Dispute Resolution:
New Commission on Dispute Resolution Members
Justice Keith R. Blackwell and Justice Britt C. Grant were appointed by the
Supreme Court of Georgia to the Commission on Dispute Resolution and sworn in
on February 1, 2017.
2016 Registration Renewal Season
Last year’s on-time registration renewal period ended December 31. A total of
1,629 “neutrals” - mediators, arbitrators, and evaluators renewed prior to the
deadline. Currently, there are approximately 2,300 registered neutrals in Georgia.
Registration categories include: general civil, domestic relations, specialized
domestic violence, arbitration, early neutral evaluation, juvenile delinquency, and
juvenile dependency. Neutrals who wish to conduct court-ordered or courtreferred ADR sessions must be registered pursuant to the Supreme Court ADR
Rules.
ADR Program Directors’ Conference
The 2016 ADR Program Directors Conference was held November 30 - December
2, at Lake Lanier Island Resort. There were 22 program directors/coordinators
present for the two-day retreat. The agenda featured structured presentations on
data collection, mediating cases with domestic violence, and the online child
support calculator. Facilitated discussions were also helpful in identifying areas
where the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution could provide further support to
existing court programs. Feedback was overwhelming positive and plans are
underway for another conference in the fall.
ADR Institute
The 23rd Annual ADR Institute and 2016 Neutrals’ Conference was held Friday,
December 9, at the State Bar of Georgia. There were 228 attendees in total. New
this year was the web streaming option. Douglas H. Yarn, Esq., Professor of Law at
Georgia State University College of Law, received the 2016 Chief Justice Harold G.
Clarke Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of alternative
dispute resolution in Georgia.
Upcoming Commission Meeting Date
The next Commission meeting date is May 3, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. in Room #1 of the
State Bar of Georgia. Meeting information as well as previous minutes are posted
on the GODR website at www.godr.org.
244 WASHINGTON STREET, S.W., SUITE 300, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334-5900
404-463-3808; www.godr.org