This summer, JC/AOC staffer Robert Aycock spent a day with Long County Chief Magistrate Judge Bobby Smith and captured the experience in the pictures below.
Judge Smith began by traveling to Tattnall County to fill in for Chief Magistrate Judge Eddie Anderson who had recused himself from a case. The single case on the calendar was a civil claims case. Unlike many cases heard in magistrate courts, both parties were represented by attorneys.
After returning to Long County, Judge Smith begins on work on various administrative matters. Judge Smith is one of several Chief Magistrates that also serves as the Probate Judge for his county and must shift between the two duties throughout the day. In addition to his county duties, Judge Smith also serves as Vice-President of the Georgia Council of Magistrate Court Judges.
Later in the day, Judge Bobby Smith holds a bail hearing. Without the space or resources of larger counties, hearings such as these are held in a room adjacent to the judge’s office.
The day concluded with a tour of a recently closed school building which will be renovated into a new judicial complex. Judge Smith has been actively involved in designing the magistrate/probate offices for the new complex.
The current magistrate and probate offices are in the building to the left of the main courthouse. 
A view of the current offices. 
Former school building that will eventually serve as the new office and court space for the Long County Judicial System.