By Chief Judge Christopher C. Edwards and Taylor Wood Most courts and lawyers are familiar with more than one frequent frivolous self-represented plaintiff. These self-represented litigants file the bizarre complaints that are shared among lawyers as dark entertainment, resulting in hearings that resemble theater of the absurd, challenging even the best tempered jurists’ ability to … Continue reading The Georgia Law of Screening Orders: Preventing Repeated Frivolous, Malicious, and Unsubstantiated Complaint Filings by Self-Represented Litigants
Superior Court, Get Ready Now for Election Night Court Under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-412
By: Judge Christopher C. Edwards and Kyle Harris Timmons New Georgia lawyers quickly learn one of the top ten on the “don’t ever” list is: don’t ever call a Superior Court judge at night. Almost everything can wait at least until morning with no harm done, and probably until the next scheduled hearing day. This … Continue reading Superior Court, Get Ready Now for Election Night Court Under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-412
Alexis Bell: Former Teen in Foster Care, Determined Research Analyst, and Skateboard Enthusiast
Condensed and edited for clarity. Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez: Would you please share your professional background with our readers? Alexis Bell: I went to Berry College as a Gate of Opportunity Scholar and graduated with a B.S. in economics. My scholarship kept me very busy at Berry as I was required to work 20 hours per week … Continue reading Alexis Bell: Former Teen in Foster Care, Determined Research Analyst, and Skateboard Enthusiast
Mediation Training for Judges
by Judge Diane E. Bessen State Court of Fulton County Training at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada I am told, is always a fabulous experience. When Judge Stacey Hydrick of DeKalb County Superior Court and I discussed becoming trained mediators, the NJC seemed the logical choice. The training would be geared to our … Continue reading Mediation Training for Judges
Judge R. Violet Bennett of Wayne County State Court Sings at Carnegie Hall
Wayne County State Court Judge Vi Bennett recently traveled to New York to become one voice in a choir of 160, as well as a full complement of orchestra, that performed at one of America’s most revered venues, Carnegie Hall for a production billed as The Great New York HymnSing and The 50th Anniversary Performance … Continue reading Judge R. Violet Bennett of Wayne County State Court Sings at Carnegie Hall
How a Georgia Court Influenced Educational Outcomes
We followed up with Hall County Superior Court Judge Lindsay Burton after she shared some graduation pictures with us. Three students who found success (and graduation!) after coming into juvenile court. Michelle Barclay: Judge Burton, we interviewed you two years ago while you were serving as Chief Juvenile Court Judge in Hall County. Since then, … Continue reading How a Georgia Court Influenced Educational Outcomes
Jessica Farah: A Profile of JC/AOC’s General Counsel
We recently spoke with Jessica Farah, General Counsel of the Judicial Council of Georgia / Administrative Office of the Courts. Condensed and edited for clarity Michelle Barclay: Thank you, Jessica, for taking the time to talk with me. Let’s start with your path to becoming a lawyer. Why did you choose to go to law … Continue reading Jessica Farah: A Profile of JC/AOC’s General Counsel
Amended Rules for the Use of Interpreters for Non-English-Speaking Persons
On June 15, 2023, the Supreme Court of Georgia approved amended Rules for the Use of Interpreters for Non-English-Speaking Persons to take effect on January 1, 2024. The amended rules are a product of several months of diligent work performed by the Judicial Council Standing Committee on Court Interpreters, chaired by Justice Carla Wong McMillian, … Continue reading Amended Rules for the Use of Interpreters for Non-English-Speaking Persons
Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month. Asian Pacific Americans serve as judges in all but two classes of Georgia’s court system. Only the Court of Appeals of Georgia (on which Justice Carla W. McMillian previously presided) and the State-wide Business Court (which is currently a single-judge class) are without an Asian American judge. To … Continue reading Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023
2023 Law Day Art Contest Winners!
Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share. @GACourts invited students from across Georgia to submit artwork about the 2023 Law Day theme "Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration." The members of Judicial Council … Continue reading 2023 Law Day Art Contest Winners!
ICJE’s 2023 Train the Trainer workshop
Announcing the participants of the completed 2023 ICJE "Train the Trainer" workshop - who are ready to lead a class! By Lynne Moore Nelson, Esq., ICJE Executive Director ICJE used to offer this workshop in collaboration with the National Judicial College. The last time the class was offered was in 2019 – so ICJE was … Continue reading ICJE’s 2023 Train the Trainer workshop
Women’s History Month 2023
In celebration of Women's History Month 2023, we celebrate the judges in every class of Georgia's court system. Supreme Court of Georgia Court of Appeals Superior Court State Court Juvenile Court Probate Court Magistrate Court Municipal Court