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September 2002
A Publication of the
Judicial Council of Georgia
Court Interpreter Training Program Goes Statewide
T
oday’s courts face a multi- a limited understanding of court examination which tests English
tude of obstacles in dispens- proceedings. The objective of the language proficiency, knowledge of
ing equal justice, providing Commission on Interpreters is to court proceedings, and ethics. A
for the non-English speaker’s need provide bilinguals who are trained candidate who passes the written
to fully participate in court proceed- and certified as qualified, profes- exam is qualified to interpret in any
ings is at the top of the list. sional interpreters. of the courts in Georgia for a
Ms. Cristina Franco, of the AOC twelve-month period. Georgia is
who serves as Program Director for Interpreter Orientation one of the first states that has estab-
the Georgia Commission on Commission staff has devised a lished ethical standards and respon-
Interpreters, explains that in the past comprehensive educational program sibilities for court interpreters.
bilingual ability alone was the basis which includes an orientation pro- The Commission also offers a
for acting as an interpreter. The job gram that introduces the interpreter series of study sessions for practic-
often fell to secretaries, college stu- candidate to legal terms, court pro- ing court interactions funded by the
dents, or social workers with no for- cedures, and general Georgia law. Georgia Bar Foundation. The oral
mal training in interpreting and only Each candidate must take a written examination is given in accordance
with the National Center for State
Courts Consortium for State Court
Web Design Consortium Contracts Signed Interpreter Certification. Georgia
has one of the highest pass rates in
C
hief Justice Norman S. Fletcher (center) recently signed contracts with the NSCS Consortium.
Georgia Southern University and Valdosta State University for their
continuing participation in the AOC’s Web Design Consortium. The continued on pg 3
AOC has renewed a similar contract with Sandersville Technical College.
INSIDE
Seated, Rebecca
Davis, GSU; Chief • Profile: Sr. Judge Findley pg 2
Justice Norman S.
Fletcher; Vaughn • AOC Reviews Court Fees pg 2
Vandegrift, provost of
Georgia Southern • Judicial Survey Results pg 5
University. Standing,
• People, Places & Events pg 6
Curtis Ricker, GSU;
Greg Arnold, AOC; • District Reports pg 9
Judge William
Woodrum, Ogeechee • Directory Corrections pg 10
Judicial Circuit;
Judge F. Gates Peed, • Videoconferencing
Ogeechee Judicial Committee Views ELMO pg 11
Circuit; and David L.
Ratley, AOC Director.
2 • Georgia Courts Journal • September 2002
AOC Seeks
Profile : Sr. Judge Emory Findley
A bove all Judge Emory Findley is
engaging. Whether his subject is the
evils of the county unit system, a
defendant on the stand who drew a pistol and
shot the opposing counsel, or the saga of our
Improvement in
Court Fees Collection
O
ver the past 52 years, the practice of using
state’s judges learning to work together, the court-imposed fees to support state and
wisdom and energy of the man are apparent. local programs has expanded from a single
In the 1980's, Judge Findley took the lead in fee in 1950 that benefited the Peace Officer’s
strengthening the Council of Superior Court Annuity and Benefit Fund to 21 separate court fees.
Judges and gaining a 10% salary increase for
Audit Report
judges. Spend an afternoon talking with him
The Georgia Department of Audits and
now, and you will know why folks listened.
Accounts recently published a comprehensive report
In 1977 when Judge Findley came to the
regarding the assessment, collection, and disburse-
bench of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, terms ment of court-ordered fees. In part, the report states,
of office for supe- “Based on our review of this system, we have con-
rior court judges cluded that the cumulative effect of trying to apply
varied from cir- 21 fees in over 1,100 courts to a variety of cases
cuit to circuit, makes the current process unwieldy. The fragment-
there were no uni- ed nature of the system makes it difficult for courts
form rules of or beneficiary programs to effectively manage the
court procedure, fees.” According to the study, fees range from $.50
and no strong to 50% of the total fine amount and each fee must
leadership coun- be calculated separately.
Sr. Judge Emory Findley
cils for the judicial
AOC to Assist Courts
branch. As president of the Council of
As a result of the Auditor’s Report, Mr. Kevin
Superior Court Judges in 1984, he encour-
Tolmich, Budget Officer at the AOC, is heading the
aged his colleagues to work together as allies effort to improve collection and disbursement of
in seeking increased funding from the fees. He explained, “We will be looking for a solu-
General Assembly. The judge credits this tion that simplifies the system while also maintain-
successful effort to others including: Judge ing the financial integrity of the programs being
Osgood Williams of Atlanta, Judge Wallace funded through these court fees.”
Cato of Bainbridge, Judge William Fleming To assess the current status of court fee collec-
of Augusta, Chief Justice Harold Clarke. tion and distribution, surveys were sent to judges of
Judge Findley’s vision galvanized judges each level of court in June 2002. AOC staff mem-
across the state and resulted in a strengthened bers are making site visits to determine court collec-
and forward-looking judiciary. In retirement tion procedures; dollar amounts assessed, collected,
he has lost none of his keenness or commit- and disbursed; automation needs, etc.
ment. His vision today includes providing Based on the information gathered, the AOC
sabbaticals to trial judges as a counterbalance will continue to study ways to simplify the fee struc-
ture, provide training curriculum to appropriate
to heavy case loads. He continues to work as
court personnel, develop uniform policies for fee
a senior judge, presiding in more than 60
collection and remittance, and design an Action Plan
counties in the past seven years. Reflecting
for implementation.
on his career as a judge and a leader, he sim-
For more information on the court fee study,
ply says, “good things have happened.”
contact Kevin Tolmich at 404-463-3822 or e-mail
tolmichk@gaaoc.us
September 2002 • Georgia Courts Journal • 3
Interpreter Program cont.
Assistance from District Guarani, Korean, Portuguese,
Members of
Court Administrators Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, the Georgia
With the assistance of the and Vietnamese. Eighty-five per-
District Court Administrators across cent of interpreters are native speak- Commission
the state, interpreter workshops are ers of their target language.
Compensation for qualified inter-
Interpreters
now widely available. From
January to July of this year, 207 par- preters begins at $35 per hour; for Presiding Justice Leah Ward Sears
ticipants have attended orientation certified interpreters, $55 per hour. Supreme Court of Georgia
sessions held in Atlanta, Kennesaw, Ms. Franco stated, “Our goal is
Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes
Jonesboro, Savannah, Augusta, and to substantially increase the number Court of Appeals of Georgia
Valdosta. One hundred fifty-five of of certified and qualified inter-
these candidates qualified as inter- preters, and improve communication Judge Robert B. Adams
preters; five were fully certified. in the court system.” She noted that Conasauga Judicial Circuit
The Administrative Office of the Commission is fortunate to have Judge Patti Cornett
the Courts supports the commission support from Georgia universities Probate Court of Hall County
and maintains a registry of qualified and colleges that are introducing
and certified interpreters on its web- interpretation courses in their curric- Judge Jerry Day
site — www.georgiacourts.org ula. Kennesaw State University, Chief Magistrate,Walker County
Georgia State University, and Judge Viviane Ernstes
Target Languages Georgia Perimeter College will be Municipal Court of Decatur
Court interpreters are available offering interpretation/translation
for the following languages: courses as part of their graduate pro- Judge Chong Kim
grams and Continuing Education Magistrate Court of Fulton County
Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese —
Cantonese and Mandarin, Creole programs. Judge Wayne Purdom
Haitian, Farsi, French, German, State Court of DeKalb County
Judge William Schneider
Juvenile Court, Rockdale Judicial
Court Interpreter Training Circuit
Ms. Kathy Ashe
September 14 Study Language Lab, GA Perimeter College, State Representative
Clarkston Campus
September 19-20 Orientation Session, Maloof Auditorium, Decatur Ms. Brenda Avera
AOC, Gwinnett Judicial Circuit
September 26 Review/Written Exam, Columbus
Ms. Wendy J. Glasbrenner
September 28 Study Language Lab, GA Perimeter College,
Clarkston Campus Georgia Legal Services Program, Inc.
October 2 Oral Exam By Appointment, Atlanta, 244 Washington St. Ms. Catherine McCabe
October 3 Review/Written Exam, Maloof Auditorium, Decatur Mr. Jesus A. Nerio, Esq.
October 4 Oral Exam By Appointment, Atlanta, 244 Washington St.
Ms. Jean Ellen Padberg, Esq.
October 24-25 Orientation Session, Atlanta, 244 Washington St.
Mr. Ralph Perales, Esq.
Contact the Commission on Interpreters at 244 Washington Street, Suite 300,
Atlanta, GA 30334; telephone 404-463-6478. Dr. Helen Ridley
Kennesaw State University
4 • Georgia Courts Journal • September 2002
On-line Travel Reimbursement Form
The AOC Fiscal Office has introduced an on-line travel reimbursement form using Microsoft Excel. Mr. Randy Dennis,
Assistant Director for Finance, talks about the features of the new electronic forms.
Q. Why a new travel form? Q. Where do users go to find form, a vendor ID number must be
R.D. Many people who claim the form? obtained from the AOC fiscal office.
expenses are not familiar with the R.D. The form is available on the Users can call me at 404-651-7613
state’s regula- AOC website, www.georgiacourts.org to obtain that number.
tions on trav-
el. This form Q. To complete the form, what Q. What happens when I need to
has those reg- program does the user need? use the form again?
ulations built R.D. Microsoft Excel, and be sure R.D. Since you have already saved
in. For to enable the macros when opening the form on your computer, all you
example, the the form. need to do is press the “clear data”
state allows a icon at the bottom of the page when
maximum Mr. Randy Dennis Q. Is the reimbursement form you open the document. Personal
of $28/day hard to use? data (i.e., name, address, phone
for food expenses, except in high R.D. No. Quite the opposite. The number) and the vendor ID number
cost areas. Any amount over $28 user only needs to download the will remain on the forms.
will automatically be deducted from form and save it to his/her computer
the claimed amount. hard drive. From there the form can Q. Is use of the new form a
Also, with the new form when a be used over and over again. requirement?
user selects his group, account num- There’s no need to go back to the R.D. No. While we want people to
bers are automatically generated website. Just input your expense use this new form, the AOC fiscal
which tell AOC fiscal employees data, Excel does the math. department will accept previous
which accounts are to be charged for Instructions are included in the forms.
those expenses. document. Before completing the
Q. Are there any other special
instructions people need to
T
he Judicial Council Committee on Domestic Violence met on
know about?
August 23, 2002, to announce grant awards to non-profit organiza-
R.D. Users must use the print func-
tions that provide legal services to victims of domestic violence.
tion on the document itself, located
The money was distributed as follows: Atlanta Legal Aid Society,
at the bottom of the page. Don’t use
$430,000; Glynn Community Crisis Center, Inc., d/b/a Amity House,
the print command on the Excel tool
$10,000; Georgia Legal Services, $1,106,000; and Circle of Hope, $54,000.
bar.
The Judicial Council
Committee on For more information about the
Domestic Violence. travel reimbursement form, contact
Pictured (l to r), Ms. Randy Dennis at 404-651-7613 or
Cynthia H. Clanton;
Judge William T. dennisr@gaaoc.us
Boyett; Dr. Louise
Bill; Ms. Linda A.
Klein; Judge Melodie
Clayton; Judge
William P. Bartles;
Judge Anne E. Barnes.
September 2002 • Georgia Courts Journal • 5
Judicial Opinion Survey on Public Trust
T
he Supreme Court What the Survey Revealed Comments from Judges
Commission on Public Trust v Ninety-eight percent of respon- v We should remember that most of
and Confidence in the dents regarded their courts as being us were lawyers before becoming
Courts recently released a report of viewed by the public with a “great judges. What is routine to most of
judicial responses concerning public deal of confidence” or “some confi- us is earth-shattering to a litigant,
perception of the courts. The judi- dence.” particularly a party in a divorce/cus-
cial survey questions were based on tody action, or a DUI, or a juvenile
concerns raised in a telephone sur- v Better qualified judges and better proceeding. People really appreci-
vey and a series of focus groups. qualified court personnel were seen ate a judge, in any court, who takes
Researchers at the Carl Vinson by 81% of judges as being “highly the time to act concerned.
Institute of Government devised the effective” or “effective” in increas-
survey instrument to gauge the ing the public trust and confidence. v Streamline the court system with
judges’ view. The survey was sent two levels of courts.
to 1,416 judges; thirty-nine percent
(551) of judges responded. In the past 5-10 years has v Better education of the public on
Judges were asked to evaluate public trust and confidence in the role of the judiciary. Judges
(1) public trust and confidence in the Georgia courts increased, who move cases and have judge-
the courts and factors contributing
decreased, or remained the
driven courts, instead of lawyer-
same?
to such public opinion; (2) the driven courts; more effective use of
extent to which court personnel con- ADR; do away with jury trials in
tribute to specific public concerns, Remained
the same
Increased divorce actions; Drug Courts and
i.e., timeliness of court proceedings, Family Courts in all circuits.
excessive cost in litigation, percep-
tion of unfair or unjust resolution of
21% v Litigants need to be better edu-
cases; (3) lawyer conduct; (4) judi- 37% cated as to what expectations to
cial conduct; and (5) possible reme- have for their court appearance.
dies. Lawyers fail miserably in this
Background information was
solicited regarding experience on
41% regard.
the bench, class of court, population v My own perception is that the
of jurisdiction. Of the 551 respon- Decreased
lack of public confidence is almost
dents, 21% sit as superior court entirely related to the amount of
judges; 15% on the state court; 32% v 50% answered that public opin- crime in the community and the
as magistrate court judges; 11% ion toward the Georgia courts is lack of discipline of attorneys who
juvenile court; 14% as probate court based on inaccurate information. flagrantly violate rules of ethics.
judges; and 24% as municipal court
judges. v When asked what judicial con- v We must use media to inform. If
duct contributes to increased time we do not tell our story, no one else
and cost of litigation, a majority of will. We are not even trying.
judges answered that disorganiza-
Please tion/inefficiency; indecisiveness; For more information, contact the
Recycle poor case management and schedul- AOC at 404-656-5171.
ing were among factors that “signif-
icantly contribute” or “contribute.”
6 • Georgia Courts Journal • September 2002
People, Places and Events …
In Memoriam Appointments Paulding Judicial Circuit
❋ Judge Tonny Beavers, Chief
❋ Former Court of Appeals Judge Alcovy Judicial Circuit Magistrate of Paulding County, was
Harold R. Banke, Sr., died on July recently appointed to the Superior
❋ Covington native Horace
9, 2002, following a lengthy illness. Court bench by Governor Roy
Johnson, Jr. is the new fourth supe-
Appointed to the Court of Appeals Barnes. Judge Beavers formerly
rior court judge in the Alcovy
in 1977, Judge Banke served as served as associate juvenile court
Judicial Circuit. Judge Johnson was judge and maintained a law practice
chief judge in 1985 and as a presid-
sworn in by Governor in Dallas. He is a graduate of the
ing judge until his retirement in
Barnes on September 3, University of Georgia and the John
1991. He was a superior court
2002 at the State Marshall School of Law.
judge in the Clayton Judicial Circuit
Capitol. He is a
for 15 years. The Clayton County
graduate of Emory Juvenile Courts
Justice Center complex, dedicated in
University and ❋ Judge Hugh Hadden of
November 2000, was named in Augusta has been named to the
the University
Judge Banke’s honor. juvenile court bench in Columbia
of Georgia
School of Law County. Judge Hadden will serve
Retirements and has prac-
part-time; he replaces Judge James
Blanchard.
ticed law in
❋ Judge Sallylu Hart, Probate Covington since
Court of Thomas County has ❋ Buena Vista attorney Wayne
1985. Jernigan has been sworn in as a
announced her retirement from the
new juvenile court judge in the
bench effective September 30, 2002. Atlanta Judicial Circuit Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.
She has served the probate court for
❋ Governor Barnes has appointed Judge Jernigan took the oath of
37 years, presiding as Judge for the office from Judge Aaron Cohn at the
Fulton County State Court Judge
past 21 years. Government Center complex in
M. Gino Brogdon, Sr. to the
bench of the superior court of the Columbus early in July.
Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Judge
District Attorney
Brogdon, a six-year veteran of the
❋ Richard Mallard is the new
State Court, fills the vacancy created
DA for the Ogeechee Judicial
by the retirement of Judge Isaac
Circuit. He replaces Joseph Martin
Jenrette. He is a graduate of III who retired earlier this year.
Oberlin College and the Indiana
University School of Law.
❋ Magistrate Diane Bessen of
Make Note…
Ms. Gail Arceneaux, Deputy Atlanta has been named by Gov. The AOC Fiscal Users Group
Clerk of the Court of Appeals,
Barnes to replace Judge Brogdon on will meet October 1, 2002,
was honored at a reception at
the State Court of Fulton County. Georgia Center for
the court on July 24, 2002. Ms.
Judge Bessen is a graduate of Continuing Education
Arceneaux’s career at the court
Emory University and Emory in Athens, GA.
spanned 25 years. (Above) She
was presented with a Certificate School of Law. Contact Mr. Randy Dennis,
of Appreciation from the court Asst. Director for Finance,
by Chief Judge Alan Blackburn. 404-651-7613.
September 2002 • Georgia Courts Journal • 7
Judicial Council Actions Judges of the Judicial Council of Georgia
F At the meeting held on August 29,
2002, the Judicial Council recom-
mended new superior court judgeships
for the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit and
the Cherokee Judicial Circuit. These
recommendations will be forwarded to
the Governor and the Legislature.
Recommendations for new judgeships
are based on a number of factors
including: weighted caseload, jury tri-
als per judge, population per judge,
etc. Judgeship data is compiled each
year by the Research Division of the
Administrative Office of the Courts. Standing (l-r): Judge Marion Guess; Judge Bryant Culpepper; Judge Marvin Sorrells; Judge
Martha Christian; Judge Michael E. Hancock; Judge Jerry Day; Judge Hal Craig; Judge Carlton
F David Ratley, AOC Director Vines; Presiding Judge J.D. Smith; Judge Philip Taylor; Judge George Kreeger; Judge J. Carlisle
reported that requests for assistance Overstreet; Judge William Bartles; Judge Phillip West; Judge Dawson Jackson.
from the contract architect have been Seated (l-r): Judge Michael Karpf; Judge Susan Tate; Chief Judge G. Alan Blackburn; Presiding
received from: Henry County, Fulton Justice Leah Ward Sears; Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher; Judge Melodie Clayton; Judge Peggy
County, Crisp County, Lumpkin Walker; Judge Elizabeth Long; Judge Wallace Cato. 8/29/02
County and Sumter County.
People, Places and Events … cont.
Magistrate Courts Awards & Honors ❋ Cobb Superior Court
❋ Judge Patricia Barron has Administrator Skip Chesshire was
been appointed Chief Magistrate for awarded the Lady Justice Pin at the
❋ Justice Robert Benham of the
Clarke County. She succeeds Judge Supreme Court of Georgia was annual meeting of the National
Michael Coleman who resigned to recently honored by the State Bar of Association of Court Managers held
run for superior court judge. Judge in July, 2002. Mr. Chesshire is a
Georgia with its Tradition in
Barron is a graduate of Mercer member of the NACM Board of
Excellence Award. Justice Benham
University and the Georgetown Directors and has served as the
was recognized for his outreach
School of Law. She has served as Cobb superior court administrator
efforts during his term as Chief
an associate magistrate and an since 1985. The Lady Justice Award
Justice, as well as his distinguished
adjunct professor at UGA School of acknowledges exceptional effort and
service on the bench.
Law. service to the organization.
❋ Also at the State Bar’s annual ❋ Nolan Martin, 8th District
❋ The Glynn County superior meeting, Judge Purnell Davis II of Court Administrator, recently com-
court judges have appointed Tim the Toombs Judicial Circuit was pleted the Court Executive
Barton, formerly county public named the first recipient of the Development Program offered by
defender, to the position of Chief Annual Professionalism Award. the Institute of Court Management.
Magistrate. Judge Barton took Judge Davis was nominated by his His paper, entitled “The Efficacy of
office on July 17,2002, and will fellow judges because of his reputa- Drug Courts in Georgia,” received
complete the unexpired term of tion for civility, honesty and integrity. the “Director’s Award of Merit for
Judge Joe Hammill. Applied Research.”
8 • Georgia Courts Journal • September 2002
Judges’ Councils Name Officers TPO Video
Council of Superior Court Judges Council of Magistrate Available
Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet Court Judges
P
President Judge Philip P. Taylor rotection Orders: Things
Augusta Judicial Circuit President You Need to Know” is a
Cobb County video that does just what it
Judge Martha C. Christian says. Introduced by Chief Justice
President-Elect Judge Jerry Day Norman S. Fletcher and narrated by
Macon Judicial Circuit President-Elect Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings
Walker County
Moore of the Atlanta Judicial
Chief Judge H. Gibbs Flanders
Secretary-Treasurer Judge Haynes Henton Townsend Circuit, the 20 minute video
Dublin Judicial Circuit First Vice President describes what a Temporary
Whitfield County Protective Order (TPO) is and
gives step-by-step instructions on
Council of State Court Judges Judge Alec Glenn Dorsey how to obtain a TPO. Ms. Julie
Judge Melodie H. Clayton Secretary Koob, Executive Director of the
President Wilcox County Georgia Commission on Family
Cobb County
Violence, said,“Protection orders
Judge Glenda Dowling
Judge Carlton H. Vines Treasurer can mean the difference between
President-Elect Pierce County life and death to victims of domes-
Chattooga County tic violence. This video helps to
provide access to the courts for vic-
Judge David M. Fuller Council of Municipal tims to obtain safety.”
Secretary Court Judges Copies of the video are to be
Gwinnett County Judge Viviane Haight Ernstes
widely distributed to shelters, supe-
President
Judge Brenda H. Cole Decatur rior court clerks, and secretaries for
Treasurer superior court judges making them
Fulton County Judge Charles L. Barrett, III accessible to victims. The videos
President-Elect will also be distributed at the 9th
Duluth Annual Domestic Violence
Council of Probate Court Judges Conference to be held in Pine
Judge Darin McCoy Judge William M. Coolidge, III
Mountain, on October 24-25, 2002.
President Vice President
Evans County Buford The Judicial Council Pro Se
Committee, Georgia Commission
Judge W. Marion Guess, Jr. Judge Kathryn Gerhardt on Family Violence, Council of
President-Elect Secretary Superior Court Judges, and
DeKalb County Macon Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council worked jointly on the
Judge Susan Tate Judge A. Frost Ward development and production of this
First Vice President Treasurer
video.
Clarke County Morrow
To order a copy of “Protection
Judge Mary T. Cranford Orders: Things You Need to
Secretary-Treasurer Know,” contact Ms. LaShawn
Coweta County Murphy, AOC, at 404-651-6325.
September 2002 • Georgia Courts Journal • 9
Children, Family &
Courts
7th JAD 8th JAD The Administrative Office of the
Courts has recently contracted with
Administrative Judge: Administrative Judge:
the Carl Vinson Institute of
Judge George H. Kreeger Judge Phillip West
Government at the University of
District Court Administrator: Georgia to assess court system needs
District Court Administrator:
Nolan E. Martin in providing improved services to
Jody Overcash children and families. Every level
Circuits : of court is involved in decision-mak-
Circuits:
Cordele, Dublin, Middle, ing that touches the lives of
Cherokee, Cobb, Conasauga, Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens,
Ocmulgee, Oconee.
Douglas, Lookout Mountain, our children.
Paulding, Rome, Tallapoosa. Ms. Karen Baynes, formerly
4 Interpreters Training — the 8th Associate Judge of the Juvenile
District is promoting use of qualified
4 The juvenile mediation program Court of Fulton County, is now
court interpreters. A workshop was
in Haralson, Paulding, and Polk Director of Governmental Services
held at Heart of Georgia Technical
counties was awarded a $44,195 at the Institute of Government and
School in Dublin on August 29-30. will lead the research team in con-
grant to extend mediation services to
deprivation cases. Ms. Angela ducting the needs assessment. Her
Norris, with the 7th District, says, 4 An architectural needs assess- practical experience, knowledge and
ment is underway in Crisp County compassion for children will be of
“We hope to offer services for reha-
for a proposed Justice Center great value in crafting workable
bilitation of delinquent youth at risk
Complex. solutions for improvements in serv-
and provide shelter care for deprived
children. Mediation provides a ice-delivery.
forum where legal rights of children 4 Courtroom presentation systems David Ratley, AOC Director,
(ELMOs) are in the works for Crisp, noted that this effort is one more
and parents are protected.”
Jasper, Jones, Emanuel, and Candler step on the road to making the AOC
The goal of the Juvenile
counties. a pre-eminent service-provider and a
Mediation Program is to transfer
nationally recognized leader in judi-
cases from the court docket that
cial support efforts.
might be better served through
mediation. Ms. Norris also pointed
out, “We hope to expedite the place-
ment of children in DFAC’s custody
CYCC Offers Video on Tobacco Hazards
and into permanent stable homes.”
The Children and Youth Dr. Kathleen Toomer, director of
Coordinating Council has released the Georgia Division of Public
4 Under the direction of Superior “Fatal Addiction: Tobacco’s Deadly Health, noted, “the ‘Fatal Addiction’
Court Judge Jack Partain and Drug
Grasp,” a video that features teens documentary is a good place to start.
Court Coordinator George Shirilla,
and families whose lives have been This program demonstrates the harm
the Conasauga Judicial Circuit damaged by a choice to smoke ciga- tobacco causes families.”
Drug Court has been operating since rettes. To receive a free copy of “Fatal
February 2002. Dr. Pete Colbenson, director of Addiction” contact Judy Reynolds,
CYCC, said, “This documentary CYCC Public Information Officer,
Click onto what’s happening … comes at a time when Georgia is rec- by phone 404-656-9345 or e-mail
www.georgiacourts.org ognizing its need to focus on educat- judyreynolds@cycc.state.ga.us
ing youth about tobacco use.”
10 • Georgia Courts Journal • September 2002
2002-2003 Georgia Courts Directory Corrections
Some information ran incorrectly or was inadvertently left out of the 2002-2003 Georgia Courts Directory.
Please note these corrections.
SUPERIOR COURT Toombs County Fayette County
Alcovy Judicial Circuit Delete: Judge Malcolm Bryant Chief Magistrate
Add: Judge Horace Jerome Delete: Judge A.K. Melear
Johnson, Jr. JUVENILE COURT Add: Judge Charles Floyd
116 S. Broad Street Clayton Circuit
Courthouse Annex 6 Assoc. Judge Steven Teske Hart County
Monroe, GA 30655 770-477-3260 Delete: Judge Robert D. Banks
770-267-1491/F 267-1365 Add: Judge Joseph Haley
(delete from Juvenile Court of Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit PO Box 698
Alcovy Circuit) Delete: Assoc. Judge Nikki L. Marr Hartwell, GA 30643
706-246-0580/F 376-6821
Atlanta Judicial Circuit Assoc. Judge Linda Bratton Haynes
Judge M. Gino Brogdon, Sr. 404-294-2916/F 297-3907 Miller County
Fax 404-730-7160 lbhaynes@co.dekalb.ga.us Add: Judge Joyce S. Newberry
155 South First Street
Coweta Judicial Circuit Assoc. Judge Desiree Sutton Peagler Colquitt, GA 39837
Judge Aubrey Duffey Fax 404-294-2143 229-758-4110/F 758-8133
Judge John Simpson
ZIP Code 30112 MAGISTRATE COURT SPECIAL COURTS
Baldwin County City Court of Atlanta
Paulding Judicial Circuit Judge Genna McLeod Wilkes Senior Judge Edward T. Brock
Add: Judge Tonny S. Beavers 140 Island Drive 380 Kennedy-Sells Road
(delete from Magistrate of Paulding, Auburn, GA 30011
Municipal Courts of Dallas, Hiram) Cherokee County 770-867-3424/F 867-3424
Add: Judge Joseph Henry etbrock@mindspring.com
SENIOR JUDGES Oczkowski
State Court Judges 90 North Street, Suite 150 MUNICIPAL COURTS
Add: Jack B. Smith Canton, GA 30114 Covington
1716 Deerfield Circle 770-479-8516 Delete: Judge Jerry O. Capes
Decatur, GA 30033
Judge David Strickland
404-634-7245/F 634-3531 Clarke County
davidstrickland-covington@
Chief Magistrate
worldnet.att.net
STATE COURT Delete: Judge John M. Coleman
Burke County Add: Judge Patricia D. Barron
Screven
Judge Jerry Daniel
Delete: Judge Raymond S. Gordon
FAX 706-437-9200 DeKalb County
Add: Judge Joyce Averils
Monroe
Fulton County 3630 Camp Circle
Chief Judge William R. Ashe
Judge Diane Bessen Decatur, GA 30032
Gholbrooks@monroega.com
FAX 404-224-0572 678-476-1119/F 476-9428
continued on pg 5
September 2002 • Georgia Courts Journal • 11
Videoconferencing Committee Views ELMO
O
n July 24, 2002, Stanley, a GBI Firearms Section
members of the Manager, was shown on a
Supreme Court screen lowered from the ceiling
Videoconferencing of the courtroom. Computer
Committee had a chance to monitors at the lectern and at
view and interact with the each justice’s seat provided a
ELMO system that is used in clear view of Mr. Stanley as he
the Supreme Court of gave testimony. Committee
Georgia’s courtroom in chair Judge Kathleen
Atlanta. ELMO (Electric Gosselin, of the Northeastern
Light Machine Organization) Judicial Circuit; Judge Joseph
is an evidence presentation Iannazzone, of the Gwinnett
and videoconferencing tool The July 24 ELMO demonstra- County State Court; and Mr.
that could be useful in many tion in Atlanta. Tom Ulbricht, deputy court
court proceedings. The com- administrator for Fulton
of ELMO, a student intern acting as County Superior Court, viewed the
mittee is working on a uniform
a lawyer in the courtroom, ques- demonstration from the bench.
court rule regarding use of such
tioned George W. Stanley, an expert Other members of the committee
technology.
witness located off-site. Mr. watched from the gallery.
To demonstrate the capabilities
Georgia Courts Directory Corrections cont.
US BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT COURT Floyd County
Northern District ADMINISTRATORS Beverly Bailey-Daniel
Delete: Judge A. David Kahn District 10 706-290-6082
L. Tom Gunnels, Jr.
Add: Judge C. Ray Mullins 706-312-7230 JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS
1270 US Courthouse COMMISSION
75 Spring Street, SW STATE COURT CLERKS Walter C. Hartridge
Atlanta, GA 30303 Henry County Bouhan, Williams & Levy LLP
404-215-1002 Marian Bradberry PO Box 2139
770-898-7600/F 989-7607 Savannah, GA 31402-2139
Add: Judge Paul W. Bonapfel
1492 US Courthouse DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
75 Spring Street, SW Ogeechee Circuit “Your Guide to the
Atlanta, GA 30303 Delete: R. Joseph Martin, III
Georgia Courts”
404-215-1018 Add: Richard Mallard
Brochure is Available!
OFFICIAL COURT
REPORTERS Call
Carroll County
Delete: Jean Clements
404-656-5171
to Request Copies
New Program Director at the Board of
Court Reporting
Y
ou might not know exactly of those who become reporters, the can answer questions, distribute
what the Board of Court Board hopes to gain increased visi- information about their duties and
Reporting does. Sharon bility.” responsibilities, develop relation-
Reiss wants that to change. Ms. But there’s more to the Board of ships, and receive feedback.
Reiss, of the AOC serves as Court A new webpage is being
Program Director for the Board of Reporting. designed to allow better access to
Court Reporting (BCR), and hopes Ms. Reiss information about the Board’s func-
to change the view reporters, hopes to tion, pertinent information about
judges, court administrators, and send repre- certification, registration of court
others who interact with the Board. sentatives reporting firms, fee schedules, legis-
Because the BCR is responsible of the lation, etc. For further information
for the yearly licensing and license Board to on the Board of Court Reporting,
renewal of reporters, Ms. Reiss says regional contact Ms. Sharon Reiss at 404-
that “our emphasis is to make sure meetings of 463-4171 or reisss@gaaoc.us
that the testing produces qualified Ms. Sharon Reiss judges and
and competent reporters. By pro- others who interact with court
moting the competence and integrity reporters. In this manner, the BCR
Georgia Courts Journal PRESORT
Administrative Office of the Courts STANDARD
244 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 300 U.S. POSTAGE
Atlanta, GA 30334-5900 PAID
ATLANTA, GA
PERMIT #1880
NORMAN S. FLETCHER
Chief Justice
DAVID L. RATLEY
Director
BILLIE BOLTON
Assistant to Director
for Communications
ASHLEY G. STOLLAR
Editor/Graphic Design
