February 2006

A Publication of theJudicial Council of GeorgiaJournal

Chief Justice Sears Addresses General Assembly

Workload Assessment to Begin

Chief Justice Leah WardSears delivered her State ofthe

Judiciaryaddress to ajoint session ofthe GeneralAssembly onJanuary 25,2006, reportingthat Georgia’sjudiciary is“sound, strong,and workingwell to meet thechallenges that face us.”

Chief Justice Sears highlightedprograms that have made a differ-ence in the way justice is adminis-tered including: e-filing initiative,the Child Support GuidelinesCommission, and accountabilitycourts. She is especially concernedwith issues involving children andfamily such as improving legal rep-

resentation in juvenile courts, expe-diting appeals for child deprivation

cases, andplacement sta-bility for chil-dren in fostercare.

OtherHighlights:

JudicialIndependence“It is not therole of a judge

to try cases in the court of publicopinion. Rather, it is the job of ajudge to be a fair and impartialarbiter of conflict.”

Budget“I only ask that you consider theessential role you play in preservingand improving our court system.”

Superior Court Judgeships

On the 10 recommended superi-or court judgeships, “Georgia is for-tunate to have dedicated and talent-ed superior court judges, but weneed more than talent and dedicationalone if we are to address the demandsof a growing state population.”

Chief Justice Sears ended heraddress by asking the GeneralAssembly to recognize a mutualconcern for excellence in govern-ment by all three branches of gov-ernment. “We are all partners inthis great enterprise of representa-tive government and are travelingthe same path. Our roles andresponsibilities are different, but ourgoal is the same — to serve the peo-ple of Georgia to the best of ourabilities.”

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears delivers her first Stateof the Judiciary Address in the House Chambers.

q

In late March selected superiorcourt judges will begin keepingdetailed records of the amount

of time spent on the bench for spe-cific case-types, as well as time logsfor case-related work away from thebench.

Three criminal case-types: “uni-fied appeals,” “serious felony” and“other felony,” will be used in thestudy according to Judge JoeBishop, Chair of the WorkloadAssessment Committee.

continued pg 4

INSIDE• People, Places & Events pg 2

• Benham Awards pg 3

• Drug EndangeredChildren Initiative pg 4

• Under the Gold Dome pg 5

• Website Redesign pg 6

• Directory Corrections pg 7

• Court of AppealsCentennial Celebration pg 8

2 • Georgia Courts Journal • February 2006

People, Places and Events …In Memoriam

Senior Justice Richard Bell ofDecatur died on November 28,2005. Justice Bell served on theSupreme Court of Georgia from1982 - 1992. Previous to his time onthe state's highest bench, he servedas a Superior Court judge in theStone Mountain Judicial Circuit(1976-1982) and as District Attorneyfor twenty years.

Senior Judge George W.Harris of Fort Valley died onDecember 25, 2005. Judge Harrisserved as a Justice of the Peacebeginning in 1976. In 1983 hebecame a Magistrate in PeachCounty and subsequently served asChief Magistrate until his retire-ment. Judge Harris remained activein the Council of Magistrate CourtJudges after taking senior status andwas serving as a mentor judge andchair of the Council’s HospitalityCommittee at the time of his death.

Judge Del Buttrill ofMcDonough succumbed to lung can-cer on January 16, 2006, after ayear-long struggle. Judge Buttrill,who served as Henry County pro-bate judge for nearly 24 years, wasset to retire on January 29.

Appointments

Swearing-in ceremonies wereheld in Atlanta on December 28,2005, for Judge Oliver HarrisDoss, Jr., Appalachian Judicial

Circuit, and Judge James E.Hardy, Southern Judicial Circuit.Gov. Perdue was present in theHouse Chambers of the StateCapitol to administer the oaths ofoffice.

These two judgeships, created in2005, became effective January 1,2006.

Judge D. Scott Smith,Cherokee Judicial Circuit, JudgeWade M. Crumbley, FlintJudicial Circuit, andJudge Thomas N.Davis, Jr.,Gwinnett JudicialCircuit, weresworn-in by Gov.Perdue onDecember 29,2005.

These threejudgeships, created in 2005, becameeffective January 1, 2006.

On January 31, 2006, Gov.Sonny Perdue announced hisappointment of Judge ChristopherBrasher to the Atlanta JudicialCircuit. Judge Brasher fills thevacancy created by the resignationof Judge M. Gino Brogdon. He willbe sworn-in on February 28, 2006.

Honors

Chief Justice Leah Ward Searswas honored at the 14th AnnualTrumpet Awards, on Monday,January 23, 2006, at the GeorgiaWorld Congress Center in Atlanta.The Trumpet Awards salutes

African-American achievements inmany diverse fields including law,politics, medicine and entertainment.Chief Justice Sears was recognizedfor her contributions in the field oflaw. Turner Broadcasting System,Inc. is the presenting sponsor of theannual Trumpet Awards.

On Friday, January 6, 2006,Presiding Justice Carol W.Hunstein was recognized by theState Bar of Georgia Committee onWomen and Minorities in theProfessionwith theCommitmentto EqualityAward.JusticeHunstein, cur-rently chair ofthe GeorgiaCommissionon Access &Fairness inthe Courts, has worked tirelesslythroughout her judicial career toenhance opportunities for women,minorities, and those with disabili-ties in the courts. Justice RobertBenham introduced the PresidingJustice and presented the award.

On December 15, 2005, ChiefJudge Brooks E. Blitch, III,Alapaha Judicial Circuit, was award-ed the 2005 Liston Elkins Award forDistinguished Service. The award isgiven annually to an individualwhose dedicated efforts have con-tributed to an improved quality oflife for the citizens of SoutheastGeorgia.

k

k

k

k

k

k

k

k

k

Commitment to Equality

February 2006 • Georgia Courts Journal • 3

People, Places and Events …

k

Benham Awards

The Seventh Annual JusticeRobert Benham Award recipientswere honored onJanuary 5, 2006, atthe State Bar mid-year meeting inAtlanta. The BenhamAward forCommunity Servicewas established in1998 to highlight thespirit of volunteerismin the legal communi-ty.

This year’s judicialrecipients are:

• Judge Herbert E. Phipps, Courtof Appeals of Georgia, acknowl-edged for his years of service as acivil rights litigator and judge andhis continued work with communityorganizations in Albany.

• Judge Duncan Wheale, AugustaJudicial Circuit, honored for his

civic contributions in the Augustaarea including: urging downtowndevelopment, leading an effort toserve the city's underprivileged, andworking to heal racial divisions.

• Judge William “Hal” Craig, FlintJudicial Circuit, recognized for hislifelong commitment to the citizensof Henry County throughout hislegal and judicial career.

• Judge Gregory A. Adams, StoneMountain Judicial Circuit, recog-nized for his efforts during his

tenure as juvenile court judge “topromote effective intervention forjuvenile offenders that benefit theindividuals as well as society as awhole.”

• Judge Cliff Jolliff,Juvenile Courts,Northeastern JudicialCircuit, involvement inprofessional and court-related organizationsand his participation ina range of efforts thatdirectly benefit thecommunity.

Other recipients of theBenham Award for

Community Service include: Mr. Carlton A. Devooght,Brunswick; Mr. Roy W. Copeland,Valdosta; Mr. Charles P. Taylor,Warner Robins; Mr. Robert A.Cowan, Dalton; Ms. SamanthaJacobs, Metter; and LifetimeAchievement Award recipient Mr. Upshaw C. Bentley, Jr., Athens. q

Recipients of the 2006 Justice Benham Award were honored on January 5,2006, at the State Bar of Georgia's Midyear Meeting in Atlanta.

The Georgia Council of Court Administrators selected the

Fulton County Juvenile Court “Education Advocacy Initiative

Program” for the 2005 Program of the Year Award. Mr. Bob

Bray (right), made the presentation on behalf of the Council to (left

to right) Mr. Todd Brown, Education Facilitator; Ms. Janet Ransom,

Supervising Probation Officer; Ms. Penny Wright, Education

Liaison; and Ms. Kimberly Mills, Education Advocate. The ceremo-

ny was held at the Romae T. Powell Juvenile Justice Center on

November 22, 2005.

GCCA 2005 Program of the Year Award

q

4 • Georgia Courts Journal • February 2006

Drug Endangered Children Initiative

Since 2004, Judge PeggyWalker, Juvenile Court ofDouglas County, has seen a

dramatic increase in cases of abusedand neglected children whose par-ents are involved in production oruse of methamphetamine.Accepting the challenge of advocat-ing on behalf of Georgia’s most vul-nerable citizens, Judge Walkerbegan to investigate national DrugEndangered Children programs, andtook the lead in forming the GeorgiaAlliance for Drug EndangeredChildren (GADEC).

The GADEC has developed intoa multi-agency effort whose missionis to prevent abuse to childrencaused by the manufacture, distribu-tion, sale and/or use of drugs. Theprogram seeks to rescue, defend,shelter, and support children whosuffer physical and psychologicalharm caused by exposure tomethamphetamine, alcohol, andother drug abuse.

GADEC has supported develop-ment of a state protocol for handling

drug-endangered children which isbeing used by law enforcement,child welfare and medical services.Now a national model, the protocolwas a collaborative effort of the

Georgia Bureau of Investigation andthe Georgia Department of HumanResources, with assistance from theU.S. Centers for Disease Controland Prevention.

The GADEC ExecutiveCommittee oversees seven work-groups: Local Alliance Building,Training, Protocols, Prevention,Treatment, Public Awareness, andData Collection and Evaluation.The effort involves 90 volunteersand three full-time staff members.

Today the GADEC looks forward tohosting a third state-wide confer-ence, as well as sponsoring regionaltraining and education sessions.The group is also developing a com-prehensive database of state andnational research resources, con-ducting public awareness cam-paigns, and providing preventionservices for children and their fami-lies designed to stop child abuse thatresults from illicit drug use andalcohol abuse.

For more information contactMs. Melva Steps, GADEC ProjectDirector, stepsm@gaaoc.us or call404-463-1229

For purposes of the study “seriousfelony” is defined as “a felony casein which the District Attorney seeksa sentence of ten or more years ofconfinement at the time of sentenc-ing.” In addition, misdemeanors ofa high and aggravated nature will beconsidered “serious misdemeanors”and the remainder as “other misde-meanors.” These case-types closelyfollow the widely-acclaimed“Minnesota Model,” developed bythe National Center for State Courts.

Records generated by the studywill be used to determine new caseweights for the annual superiorcourt judgeship study conducted bythe Administrative Office of theCourts.

For more information, contactMs. Yolanda Lewis at 404-656-6412.

Judicial WorkloadAssessment cont.

q

q

Skip Chesshire Next NACM President

Mr. Skip Chesshire, CobbCounty Superior Courtadministrator, recently

began his term as president-elect ofthe National Association of CourtManagers (NACM). Mr. Chesshire,a founder of the Georgia Council ofCourt Administrators, has been incourt administration for over twentyyears. In July 2006 he will assumethe presidency of NACM at itsAnnual Meeting to be held in Ft.Lauderdale, Florida.

Mr.Chesshirebegan a three-year term onthe NACMBoard ofDirectors inJuly 2005 andalso serves onthe Board of Directors of theNational Center for State Courts inWilliamsburg, Virginia. q

Mr. Skip Chesshire

February 2006 • Georgia Courts Journal • 5

APRIL 2006Court Interpreter Workshop

The Commission on Interpreterswill host a skills-building workshopfor court interpreters April 8-9,2006, at the Cobb Galleria Centre inAtlanta. This workshop is co-spon-sored by the National Center forState Courts and the Commission onInterpreters through a grant from theGeorgia Bar Foundation. The pro-gram will feature nationally-recog-nized instructors and is designedboth to enhance skills for courtinterpreters and encourage inter-preters to take the Oral CertificationExam.

Registered court interpreterswho are currently licensed andreside in Georgia may be eligible fora scholarship subsidy. Contact Ms. Sharon Reiss at 404-656-6422for additional information.

MAY 20062nd Annual Drug and DUICourt Conference

The Judicial Council StandingCommittee on Drug Courts will hostthe 2nd Annual Statewide Drug andDUI Court Conference at theWyndham Peachtree ConferenceCenter in Peachtree City on May 10-12, 2006.

The program is designed forcounty commissioners, legislators,judges, prosecutors, defenders, pro-bation, law enforcement, and othercourt personnel already operatingdrug courts or those who are consid-ering implementing Drug or DUICourts.

For additional information, con-tact Ms. Kelly Moody, AOCLegislative and GovernmentalAffairs Division, at 404-463-3820.

Under the Gold Dome

Superior Court Judgeships• HB 1148 and SB 416 Creation of athird judgeship in the EnotahJudicial Circuit.

• HB 1111 Creation of a tenth judge-ship in the Cobb Judicial Circuit

• HB 1073 Creation of a third judge-ship in the Houston JudicialCircuit.

• HB 1263 Creation of a third judge-ship in the Blue Ridge JudicialCircuit

Alcovy Circuit Split HB 1255 pro-poses creation of the Walton JudicialCircuit.

Civil Filings House Bill 1195 spec-ifies that “superior court clerks mayrefuse to accept a civil case filingthat is not accompanied by a com-pleted filing coversheet as requiredby law.”

For complete coverage of the2006 Session of the GeneralAssembly, visit the AOC’sLegislative Tracking website atwww.ciclt.com/aoc/default.asp

Upcoming EventsUpcoming Events

The following legislation is being considered during the 2006 Legislative Session as recommend-ed by the Judicial Council.

The Administrative Office ofthe Courts is pleased to offera new version of our popular

“Your Guide to theGeorgia Courts”brochure.

The new designincludes a restruc-tured appellateroute schematic,updated language,and informationabout managingcourt operations,jury service, and funding of thestate’s courts.

To order your copies, call 404-656-5171 today.

“Your Guide to theGeorgia Court” GetsNew Look

q

q

q

6 • Georgia Courts Journal • February 2006

Judicial Branch Website Unveils Redesign

In it’s continuing efforts to pro-vide timely, relevant informationto the judges, court personnel,

and citizens ofGeorgia, theAdministrativeOffice of theCourts hasunveiled a com-prehensiveredesign of it’swebsite.

Mr. BrianCollins, AOCWebmaster, said of the site’s newlook, “We want www.georgia-courts.org to be among the best judi-cial websites in the country.”Several features have been addedthat allow users quick access toinformation.

Find What You NeedAn integral part of the new

design centers of the “Find What

You Need” Section. Users canaccess information based on whothey are: citizens, judges, court per-

sonnel, mem-bers of thelegal profes-sion.

News ItemsA scrolling

news feed fromthe AtlantaJournalConstitution

and a feature window for recentnews of the judicial communityhave also been added to the website.

Courthouse SpotlightCounty courthouses are high-

lighted in “Courthouse Spotlight.”Each time a user accesses the web-site a different county is featuredalong with a link to the Carl VinsonInstitute of Government’s site with

extensive information about all ofthe state’s courthouses.

Quick LinksEasy-to-navigate tabs are locat-

ed on the website homepage forLegislative Tracking, Caseload Data,Publications, Court Rules, CourtTechnology Initiatives, as well asmany more items of interest.

Feedback“We hope to receive feedback

from the court community regardinguse of the website and it’s accessi-bility on www.georgiacourts.org,”said Mr. Collins.

To send feedback aboutwww.georgiacourts.org, visitors tothe site can use the link at the “FindWhat You Need” feature.

FY 05 Annual Report Available

The Georgia Courts FY 05 Annual Report isnow available.

The annual reportincludes trial andappellate court case-load information forCalendar Year 2004.

To obtain copies, contact the AOC at404-656-5171.

www.georgiacourts.org

LEAP TRAININGThe Board of Court Reporting is

sponsoring the Learning EssentialsAbout Professionalism seminar onMarch 10, 2006, at the CobbGalleria Centre in Atlanta.

LEAP is designed to promoteprofessionalism, educate, guide, andmentor new court reporters.

For more information contactMr. Clay Richardson, ProjectManager, at 404-651-8707.

q

q q

MARCH 2006

February 2006 • Georgia Courts Journal • 7

Courts Directory CorrectionsSUPERIOR COURTSAppalachian CircuitJudge Oliver Harris Doss, Jr.400 W. Main StreetBlue Ridge, GA 30513706-258-5203

Atlanta CircuitJudge Christopher BrasherT8905 Justice Center Tower185 Central Avenue, SWAtlanta, GA 30303404-730-4335/F 730-7160

Cherokee CircuitJudge D. Scott Smith135 W. Cherokee Avenue, Suite 335Cartersville, GA 30120678-721-3242/F 721-3251

Flint CircuitJudge Wade M. CrumbleyOne Courthouse SquareMcDonough, GA 30253678-432-4607/F 770-954-2137

Gwinnett CircuitJudge Tom Davis, Jr.Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center75 Langley DriveLawrenceville, GA 30045770-822-8585/F 822-8584

Southern CircuitJudge James E. HardyPO Box 2037Thomasville, GA 31799229-228-6370/F 228-6369

SENIOR JUDGESSuperior CourtJudge Marvin W. Sorrells770-266-1610

MagistrateJudge G.L. Arflin, Jr.PO Box 3Unadilla, GA 31091-0003478-627-3303

PROBATE COURTSDecatur CountyJudge Edwin J. Perry, III112 W. Water StreetPO Box 234Bainbridge, GA 39818-0234

MAGISTRATE COURTSCobb CountyAdd: Judge John Strauss5180 Roswell Road, NWAtlanta, GA 30342404-256-3600, ext. 203

Add: Judge Timothy Wolfe3059 Vinings Ferry DriveAtlanta, GA 30339770-435-8616twolfelaw@bellsouth.net

Add: Judge Leah ZammitProvidence Park, Suite 503535 Roswell RoadMarietta, GA 30062770-971-9494

Dooly CountyAdd: Judge Lonny Anderson507 Parker StreetVienna, GA 31092229-268-4669

Gwinnett CountyAdd: Judge Joseph L. Randazzo, Jr.Gwinnett County Justice &Administration Center75 Langley DriveLawrenceville, GA 30045-6935770-822-8081/F 822-8075

Lee CountyAdd: Judge Michael Todd RobertsPO Box 522Leesburg, GA 31763229-759-6016/F 759-3303

Oglethorpe CountyAdd: Andretta DerricottePO BOx 356Lexington, GA 30648706-743-8321/F 743-3177

Add: Judge Jean Turner- HortonPO Box 356Lexington, GA 30648706-743-8321/F 743-3177

Delete: Judge Ashley Barnett

Putnam CountyJudge Ellen I. PierceJudge Virginia C. Clinch100 S. Jefferson Ave., Suite 306

MUNICIPAL COURTSFlovilla, Jackson, Locust GroveJudge W. Franklin Freeman, Jr. 250 Lassiter RoadForsyth, GA 31029

Sandy SpringsChief Judge James M. Anderson, III5855 Sandy Springs Circle, Ste. 130Sandy Springs, GA 30328404-255-0319/F 255-0477

Judge Pro Tem Lawrence D. Young1827 Powers Ferry Rd., Bldg. 12-200Atlanta, GA 30339770-818-0082/F 818-0084

WaycrossAdd: Judge Pro Tem. Adam Ferrell117 Albany AvenuePO Box 1589Waycross, GA 31502-1589912-283-3858/F 283-3806

Delete: Judge Andrew C. Spivey

SOLICITOR GENERALClarke CountyAdd: Morris H. Wiltshire, Jr.

Delete: Ralph W. Powell

SUPERIOR COURT CLERKHart CountyWilliam E. Holland, III706-376-7189

Court of Appeals Launches Centennial Celebration

On January 24, 2006, thetwelve judges of the Courtof Appeals of Georgia gath-

ered in the State Capitol for a cere-mony to kickoff the court'sCentennialCelebration.

ChiefJudge JohnH. Ruffin, Jr.,welcomed thecrowd ofjudges, legis-lators, courtemployees,and the public. Judge HerbertPhipps gave the invocation andPresiding Judge J.D. Smith present-

ed a brief history of the Court ofAppeals of Georgia through its firstone hundred years.

GovernorSonny Perdue pre-sented a procla-mation to ChiefJudge Ruffin torecognize thecourt's upcomingOctober anniver-sary and designate2006 the “Courtof AppealsCentennial Year.” The Governor'sstatement recognizes the Court's rolein ensuring that “Georgians receivefair treatment in the trial courts andin final resolutions of disputes.”

Lt. Governor Mark Taylor andSpeaker of the House GlennRichardson also presented resolu-

tions from theSenate and Houseof Representativescommemoratingthe watermarkyear for theCourt of Appeals.

Centennialactivities areplanned through-out the year

including hearing oral arguments incities around the state, producing adocumentary, preparing a history ofthe court, and hosting a reception atthe Georgia Aquarium in October.

Chief Judge John H.Ruffin, Jr., receives theGovernor'sProclamation.

Court of Appeals Centennial Ceremony.

q

PRESORTSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

ATLANTA, GAPERMIT #1880

Administrative Office of the Courts244 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 300Atlanta, GA30334-5900

Georgia CourtsJournal

LEAHWARDSEARS

Chief Justice

DAVIDL. RATLEY

Director

COURTSJOURNALSTAFF

Billie Bolton

Ashley G. Stollar