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
Getting Shots in Arms: Collaboration Between Courts, Communities, and Providers are Getting it Done.
Court staff became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on March 17, 2021, creating an opportunity for providers to set up shop onsite at courthouses and get even more shots in arms, accelerating Georgia's vaccine efforts. Below are some of the success stories from courthouse vaccine drives. JC/AOC Partners with Kroger The Judicial Council/Administrative Office of … Continue reading Getting Shots in Arms: Collaboration Between Courts, Communities, and Providers are Getting it Done.
Chris Walker—New CFO for the Court of Appeals of Georgia—Supports the Court’s Work by Providing Financial Counsel and Fostering a Healthy Work Environment
JC/AOC staffer, Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, recently spoke with Chris Walker, the new CFO/Director of Fiscal Services for the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Interview condensed and edited for clarity. Chris Walker, CFO/Director of Fiscal Services for the Court of Appeals of Georgia Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez: Good morning, Chris, and congratulations on your new role as the CFO/Director … Continue reading Chris Walker—New CFO for the Court of Appeals of Georgia—Supports the Court’s Work by Providing Financial Counsel and Fostering a Healthy Work Environment
A Day in the Life of a Magistrate Court Judge: Judge Berryl A. Anderson
In late January 2020, JC/AOC staffer Robert Aycock visited the DeKalb County Magistrate Court to chronicle a day in the life of Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson. Its intended publication date was in March 2020. However, due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was never published. We publish it now to offer … Continue reading A Day in the Life of a Magistrate Court Judge: Judge Berryl A. Anderson
Celebrating Women’s History Month 2021
The theme for this year's Women's History Month is "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced." It is mostly carried over from the 2020 theme, as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic canceled many plans to celebrate last year. We managed to celebrate this theme through our "Read Aloud" series and our Law … Continue reading Celebrating Women’s History Month 2021
Celebrating Black History Month 2021
In honor of Black History Month in 2021, we asked several African American judges in Georgia who mentored, inspired, and helped them along the way. This February, we celebrate the people who helped lift others into judicial leadership roles. Each weekday we will post a new response on our social media pages; Twitter, Facebook, and … Continue reading Celebrating Black History Month 2021
On Record Restriction Clinics and Providing Opportunity
Contributed by Laverne Lewis Gaskins, Esq. Because human beings escape perfection, mistakes in judgement are expected. However, in the context of the criminal justice system, mistakes of judgment occupy a different, more serious space. Because we live in a society of laws, people should be held accountable for their behavior. We accept and understand that … Continue reading On Record Restriction Clinics and Providing Opportunity
Upcoming Caseload Reporting and Bench Card
Greetings judges, as we close out the year we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the all-important case count reporting period, where the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) asks the clerks of your respective court classes to submit caseload data for the previous year. Below is the Best Practices for Caseload … Continue reading Upcoming Caseload Reporting and Bench Card
Albany Municipal Court to Receive Funding to Implement Community Court
Congratulations to the City of Albany for receiving a grant to implement a Community Court through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Read the full press release below: Albany, GA – The City of Albany was one of seven applicants from around the country recently selected by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau … Continue reading Albany Municipal Court to Receive Funding to Implement Community Court
Parking Deck Court in Cherokee County
In early December, we stopped by the Cherokee County Justice Center on a cold and rainy day to see a “Parking Deck Court” in action. As expected, it’s an efficient operation that is tackling the non-jury case backlog while protecting the public that passes through it. Upon arrival, parties in a case call a number … Continue reading Parking Deck Court in Cherokee County
Judge Cuadra on the Many Issues Facing Court Interpreters During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Chief Judge Norman Cuadra, City of Suwanee Municipal Court JC/AOC staffer, Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, recently spoke with the City of Suwanee Chief Municipal Court Judge Norman Cuadra to discuss issues facing court interpreters especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Cuadra serves as co-chair of the Judicial COVID-19 Task Force’s Subcommittee on Interpreters. Interview condensed and edited … Continue reading Judge Cuadra on the Many Issues Facing Court Interpreters During the COVID-19 Pandemic