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JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA General Session Friday, October 28, 2016 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Macon Marriott City Center Room 306 240 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217
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Transcript of JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA council/Judicial... · JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA General Session...
JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA
General Session
Friday, October 28, 2016 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Macon Marriott City Center Room 306
240 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217
Judicial Council of Georgia
Macon Marriott City Center
Room 306
240 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
Macon Centreplex Convention Center Entrance, Room 306
Friday, October 28, 2016
12 noon – 5 p.m.
Lunch will be served at noon, to be immediately followed by the Council meeting at 1 p.m.
1. Preliminary Remarks and Introductions
(Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
2. Approval of Minutes, August 31, 2016 (Action Item) TAB 1
(Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson, Est. Time – 2 Min.)
3. Council of Accountability Court Judges STAR Recipient Recognition
(Judge Stephen Goss, Est. Time – 10 min)
4. Fulton County Remote Interpretation Program Presentation
(Ms. Yolanda Lewis, Est. Time 20 min)
5. Committee Reports
A. Policy and Legislative Committee (Action Item) TAB 2
(Presiding Justice P. Harris Hines, Est. Time 10 Min.)
B. Technology Committee (Justice Harold D. Melton, Est. Time – 10 Min)
C. Court Reporting Matters Committee (Action Item) TAB 3
(Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard, Est. Time – 10 Min)
D. Strategic Plan Standing Committee (Action Item) TAB 4
(Judge W. Allen Wigington, Est. Time – 15 Min.)
6. Report from Judicial Council/AOC TAB 5
(Ms. Cynthia H. Clanton, Est. Time – 10 Min.)
7. Reports from Appellate Courts and Trial Court Councils TAB 6
(Est. Time – 15 Min.)
A. Supreme Court
B. Court of Appeals
C. Council of Superior Court Judges
D. Council of State Court Judges
E. Council of Juvenile Court Judges
F. Council of Probate Court Judges
G. Council of Magistrate Court Judges
H. Council of Municipal Court Judges
8. Report from the Council of Accountability Court Judges TAB 7
9. Report from the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution TAB 7
10. Report from the Council of Superior Court Clerks
11. Report from the Georgia Council of Court Administrators TAB 7
12. Old/New Business
(Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
13. Concluding Remarks and Adjournment
(Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson, Est. Time – 5 Min.)
Judicial Council Meeting Calendar – 2016
Friday, December 9, 2016 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Atlanta, GA (The Carter Center)
Judicial Council Meeting Calendar – 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Atlanta, GA
Friday, April 28, 2017 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Savannah, GA
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Atlanta, GA
Friday, October 20, 2017 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Macon, GA
Friday, December 8, 2017 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Atlanta, GA
Judicial Council Members
As of July, 2016
Supreme Court
Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson
Chair, Judicial Council
507 State Judicial Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3475/F 657-9586
Presiding Justice P. Harris Hines
Vice-Chair, Judicial Council
501 State Judicial Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3472/F 651-8642
Court of Appeals
Chief Judge Sara Doyle
47 Trinity Avenue, Suite 501
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3458/F 657-9764
Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard
47 Trinity Avenue, Suite 501
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-657-9405/ F 657-8893
Superior Court
Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr.
President, CSCJ
Alcovy Judicial Circuit
1132 Usher Street, NW
Covington, GA 30014
770-784-2080/F 784-2130
Chief Judge Tilman Self III
President- Elect, CSCJ
314 Bibb County Courthouse
601 Mulberry Street, Suite 3310
Macon, GA 31201
478-621-6545/F 621-6618
Judge Stephen Scarlett
Brunswick Judicial Circuit, 1st JAD
Glynn County Courthouse
701 H Street, Box 203
Brunswick, GA 31520
912-554-7356/F 554-7387
Judge Stephen Goss
Southern Judicial Circuit, 2nd JAD
P.O. Box 1827
Albany, GA 31702
229-424-2683/F 431-2174
Judge Arthur Lee Smith
Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, 3rd JAD
PO Box 1340
Columbus, GA 31902
706-653-4273/F 653-4569
Chief Judge Tangela M. Barrie
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, 4th JAD
5230 DeKalb County Courthouse
556 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
404-371-2338/F 371-3081
Chief Judge Gail S. Tusan
Atlanta Judicial Circuit, 5th JAD
T8955 Justice Center Tower
185 Central Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-612-8520/F 302-8524
Judge Brian Amero
Flint Judicial Circuit, 6th JAD
Henry County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
McDonough, GA 30253
770-288-7901/F 288-7913
Judge Jack Partain
Conasauga Judicial Circuit, 7th JAD
PO Box 732
Dalton, GA 30722
770-278-6713/F 278-6714
Judge Donald W. Gillis
Dublin Judicial Circuit, 8th JAD
PO Box 2016
Dublin, GA 31040
478-275-7715/F 275-2984
Chief Judge Melodie Snell Conner
Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, 9th JAD
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-822-8660/F 822-8662
Judge Carl C. Brown
Augusta Judicial Circuit, 10th JAD
735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 4203
Augusta, GA 30901
706-821-2347/F 721-4476
State Court
Chief Judge Richard A. Slaby
President, CStCJ
Richmond County
735 James Brown Boulevard
Suite 4105
Augusta, GA 30901-2974
706-821-2582/ F 821-1177
Judge Gregory Fowler
President-Elect, CStCJ
Chatham County
133 Montgomery Street, Room 430
Savannah, GA 31401
912-652-7565/F 652-7566
Juvenile Court
Chief Judge Benjamin P. Brinson
President, CJCJ
Atlantic Judicial Circuit
P.O. Box 667
Claxton, GA 30417
912-739-2533/F 739-2513
Judge James Whitfield
President-Elect, CJCJ
Cobb Circuit
32 Waddell Street
Marietta, GA 30090
770-528-2428/F 528-2576
Probate Court
Judge Alice Padgett
President, CPCJ
Columbia County
P.O. Box 1520
Evans, GA 30809
706-312-7254/F 312-7251
Judge Rooney Bowen III
President-Elect, CPCJ
Dooly County
P.O. Box 304
Vienna, GA 31092
229-268-4217/F 268-6142
Magistrate Court
Judge Kristina Hammer Blum
President, CMCJ
Gwinnett County
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30045-6900
770-822-8081/F 822-8075
Judge James M. Griner, Jr.
First Vice-President, CMCJ
Screven County
PO Box 64
Sylvania, GA 30467
912-564-7375/F 564-5618
Municipal Courts
Judge Gary E. Jackson
President, CMuCJ
Municipal Court of Atlanta
150 Garnett Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-6372
404-658-6930/F 658-7488
Judge John A. Roberts
President-Elect, CMuCJ
Municipal Court of Lithonia
462 E. Paces Ferry Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-841-0661/F 841-0775
State Bar of Georgia
Mr. Patrick T. O’Connor
President, State Bar of Georgia
218 West State Street
PO Box 10186
Savannah, GA 31412-0386
912-236-3311
All email addresses follow this format: [email protected]
Administrative Office of the Courts
244 Washington St. SW, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334
Cynthia H. Clanton, Director
404-656-5171
As of October 1, 2016
Director’s Office
Budget
Ashley Garner
404-656-6404
Governmental and Trial Court
Liaison
Tracy Mason
404-463-0559
Robert Aycock
404-656-0371
LaShawn Murphy
404-651-6325
James Rodatus
404-656-5453
Human Resources
Stephanie Hines
404-657-7469
Jacqueline Booker
404-463-0638
General Counsel
Jessica Farah
404-463-3805
Zan Patorgis
404-463-3821
Legislative Liaison
Tyler Mashburn
404-651-7616
Judicial Services
Christopher Hansard
Division Director
404-463-1871
Research and Data Analysis
Danita Chiles
404-463-3887
Carla Hardnett
404-232-1857
Jeffery Thorpe
404-656-6413
Court Professionals
Shinji Morokuma
404-463-3785
Bianca Bennett
404-463-6478
Herbert Gordon
404-232-1409
Tynesha Manuel
404-463-3785
Karlie Sahs
404-463-6478
Linda Smith
404-657-4219
Communications, Children,
Families, & the
Courts
Michelle Barclay
Division Director
404-657-9219
Patricia Buonodono
404-463-0044
Elaine Johnson
404-463-6383
Paula Myrick
404-463-6480
Bruce Shaw
404-463-6106
Ashley Stollar
404-656-6783
Financial Administration
Randy Dennis
Division Director
404-651-7613
Kim Burley
404-463-3816
Roxanne Harkcom
404-463-9016
Monte Harris
404-656-6691
Matthew Kloiber
404-463-5177
Nancy Nevels
404-463-1907
Tanya Osby
404-463-0237
All email addresses follow this format: [email protected]
Tax Intercept
Michael Cuccaro
404-656-7780
Information Technology
Jorge Basto
Division Director
404-657-9673
Willie Alcantara
404-519-9989
Bradley Allen
404-657-1770
John Botero
404-463-7340
Angela He
404-651-8169
Wendy Hosch
404-656-7788
Christina Liu
404-651-8180
Tony Mazza
404-657-4006
Michael Neuren
404-657-4218
Juawon Osby
470-747-9785
Wanda Paul
404-538-0849
Kriste Pope
404-731-1358
Pete Tyo
404-731-1357
Georgia Judicial Exchange
Tajsha Dekine
404-656-3479
Arnold Schoenberg
404-463-6343
Directions Macon Marriott City Center & Macon Centreplex Convention Center
240 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
Meeting Location: Macon Centreplex Convention Center: Room 306
The meeting will take place at the Macon Centreplex Convention Center, which is adjacent to the
Macon Marriott City Center. You may access the meeting space from the hotel, but for more direct
access Judicial Council attendees should park in Parking Lot 15.
Please see parking diagram below.
From I-75 Northbound: Merge onto I-16 East; take Exit 2 and turn left onto Coliseum
Drive/Martin Luther King Drive. The Macon Centreplex Convention Center will be on your left.
From I-75 Southbound: Merge onto I-16 East; take Exit 2 and turn left onto Coliseum
Drive/Martin Luther King Drive. The Macon Centreplex Convention Center will be on your left.
From I-16 West: Take Exit 2 and turn right onto Coliseum Drive/Martin Luther King Drive. The
Macon Centreplex Convention Center will be on your left.
Judicial Council
October 28, 2016
Parking Diagram
Turn Left Here
Park Here
1
Judicial Council of Georgia
General Session
State Bar of Georgia Conference Center Atlanta, GA
August 31, 2016 ● 10:00 a.m.
Members Present
Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson, Chair
Presiding Justice P. Harris Hines
Judge Brian Amero
Judge Tangela Barrie
Judge Kristina Hammer Blum
Judge Rooney Bowen
Judge Benjamin P. Brinson
Judge Melodie Snell Conner
Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard
Judge Stephen Goss
Judge James M. Griner, Jr.
Judge Gary E. Jackson
Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr.
Judge Gregory Fowler
Chief Judge Sara L. Doyle
Judge Carl C. Brown
Judge Alice Padgett
Judge Donald W. Gillis
Judge Jack Partain
Judge John A. Roberts
Judge Tilman Self III
Judge Stephen Scarlett
Judge Gail S. Tusan
Judge Richard A. Slaby
Judge Arthur Lee Smith
Judge James Whitfield
Staff Present
Ms. Cynthia H. Clanton, Director
Mr. Brad Allen
Mr. Jorge Basto
Mr. Randy Dennis
Ms. Ashley Garner
Mr. Christopher Hansard
Ms. Carla Hardnett
Mr. Kevin Holder
Mr. Tyler Mashburn
Ms. Tracy Mason
Ms. LaShawn Murphy
Ms. Tara Smith
Ms. Ashley Stollar
Guests (Appended)
2
Call to Order and Welcome
The meeting of the Judicial Council of Georgia (Council) was called to order at 10:04
a.m. by Chief Justice Thompson. Members and designees identified themselves for the purposes
of roll call, followed by staff and guests. He recognized the Council’s newest members (Judge
Self, Judge Scarlett, Judge Goss, Judge Smith, Judge Amero, Judge Partain, Judge Gillis, Judge
Brown, Judge Whitfield, Judge Fowler, Judge Griner, Judge Roberts, and Mr. O’Connor) and
administered the Council’s oath to the group.
Adoption of Minutes – April 29, 2016
Chief Justice Thompson directed the Council’s attention to the minutes of the April 29,
2016, meeting. A motion to approve was offered by Judge Padgett, followed by a second from
Judge Slaby. No discussion was offered and the motion passed unanimously.
Cybersecurity and the Judicial Branch
Mr. Basto introduced Mr. Stan Gatewood, Chief Information Security Officer for the
State of Georgia. Mr. Gatewood delivered a presentation on cybercrime generally and spoke to
the prevalence of government as a target. He urged everyone to be vigilant and to learn more
about cybersecurity. Chief Justice Thompson thanked Mr. Gatewood and directed the Council’s
attention to a handout, produced by the Administrative Office of the Courts of Oregon, as an
important resource on this topic.
Tax Refund Intercept Program: Final Report
Mr. Dennis delivered a final report of the Tax Refund Intercept Program pilot. He
reviewed the final statistics of the program and announced that it would be expanded to courts
statewide for the 2017 tax season. He thanked Department of Revenue Commissioner Lynne
Riley for her agency’s partnership and support of this program; Commissioner Riley expressed
her appreciation and thanked the Chief Justice for the opportunity to do so in this forum. Chief
Justice Thompson recognized Judge Jackson for his support of the program; Judge Jackson
spoke to the success of the program in his court. Certificates were presented to courts that
participated in the pilot, whose representatives were in attendance.
Committee Reports
Judicial Workload Assessment Committee: Recommendation for Superior Court
Judgeship. Judge David Emerson gave an overview of the mission and work of the Committee
and informed the Council that a time in motion study of superior and state courts would
3
commence in 2017. He recognized Ms. Hardnett to speak to the Committee’s judgeship
recommendation for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit. Ms. Hardnett summarized the assessment
data for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit (Circuit), including per judge caseload data, population
figures, and other circuit highlights. The circuit calculation was 5.39, exceeding the 5.32
threshold required for a recommendation. Chief Judge Andrew Fuller was recognized by the
Chief Justice to speak on behalf of the request. He advocated for its support and noted the
support of the Hall County and Dawson County Commissions and the circuit’s legislative
delegation.
Following Judge Fuller’s remarks, Chief Justice Thompson asked that anyone affected by
the request leave the room to allow for discussion. After some discussion among the Council, the
excused individuals returned to the room and staff distributed ballots to voting Council members.
Upon completion, the ballots were collected and Judge Dillard supervised the tally in a separate
room.
Following Judge Dillard’s report back, the Chief Justice announced that the vote was
unanimous to recommend an additional judgeship for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit.
Policy and Legislative Committee. Justice Hines reported that the Committee met on July
21, 2016, to consider legislative proposals for the 2016 session.
Justice Hines summarized the recommendation to amend O.C.G.A. § 47-23-100,
proposed by the Council of State Court Judges. By way of the Committee report, Justice Hines
moved that the Council support legislation to amend O.C.G.A. § 47-23-100 to restore the
pension benefit calculation for state court judges, solicitors general, and juvenile court judges to
that for superior court judges and district attorneys. No opposition was voiced and the
recommendation was approved unanimously.
Justice Hines stated that the proposal from the Judicial Workload Assessment Committee
(included in the written report) would not be presented for a vote, at the request of the Chair as
work continues on the item. Judge Emerson expressed the importance that the Council eventually
take action on this item.
Justice Hines summarized the recommendation to amend Title 48 of the O.C.G.A. to
streamline the process of the Tax Refund Intercept Program. This is a carryover item from last
session; a new bill will be filed but identical language will be sought. By way of the Committee
report, Justice Hines moved that the Council support legislation to amend Title 48 of the
4
O.C.G.A. to simplify and strengthen process controls in order for the AOC to efficiently transmit
tax refund intercepts to participating courts. No opposition was voiced and the recommendation
was approved without opposition.
Justice Hines requested that the Council designate authority to the Committee to
make decisions/take positions on legislation and related policy issues on behalf of the Council
during the 2017 legislative session. A motion was offered by Judge Johnson, with a second from
Judge Padgett; the motion was approved with no opposition.
Judge Jackson was recognized to speak to additional business. He informed the Council
that the Committee had voted to recommend the Council of Municipal Court Judges’ proposal to
add municipal courts to the definition of “accountability court.” Concerns raised since the
committee meeting were not able to be resolved prior to this meeting. Judge Jackson requested
permission to continue working on this issue moving forward.
Justice Hines recognized Judge Michael Boggs to speak to the Misdemeanor Probation
Bench Card. Judge Boggs stated that this bench card had emanated from legislation passed
during the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions based on recommendations from the Council on
Criminal Justice Reform. He reviewed the card and expressed his hope that it would serve as a
valuable resource to judges across the state.
Budget Committee. Justice Harold Melton referred to the written report provided in the
materials. Justice Melton reported that the Committee met on July 21, 2016, to consider the
Amended Fiscal Year 2017 (AFY 2017) budget and enhancement requests for the Fiscal Year
2018 (FY 2018) budget. No enhancement requests were submitted for AFY 2017 and a budget
reduction request ($22,879) will be submitted by the AOC to reflect six months’ rent for the
fourth floor of 244 Washington Street (the Supreme Court will assume rental obligations in
January 2017).
Justice Melton briefly reviewed each of the enhancement requests for FY 2018:
Administrative Office of the Courts/Supreme Court Committee on Justice for Children
($104,024); Council of Accountability Court Judges – Certification and Peer Review process
($28,335), and an amended request for Certification and Peer Review personnel ($16,262);
Institute for Continuing Judicial Education – New Judge Orientation ($64,000) and Electronic
Media Curriculum Project Coordinator ($68,361). The AOC will submit a budget reduction
request ($45,758) to annualize the rent reduction.
5
Justice Melton moved for the Council to accept and approve the Council of
Accountability Court Judges’ amended request submitted after the Budget Committee met. The
motion was approved unanimously. Justice Melton moved for the Council to approve the AFY
2017 and FY 2018 budget requests as outlined. The motion was approved unanimously.
Justice Melton requested the Council designate the Budget Committee authority to act on
its behalf during the budget process and legislative session. The motion was approved
unanimously.
Strategic Plan Committee. Judge Allen Wigington referred to the written report provided
in the materials. He stated that the Committee plans to submit a draft Strategic Plan for FY2017-
2019 to the Council at the October 28 meeting.
Court Reporting Matters Committee. Judge Dillard referred to the written report provided
in the materials and indicated action was needed on the appointment of three members. The
following individuals were nominated for terms beginning July 1, 2016: Julie Brackett
(Incumbent); John Bell Manly, Esq. (appointment); and, Judge Brenda H. Trammel
(appointment). The Council approved the appointments without opposition.
Report from Judicial Council/AOC
Ms. Clanton reported on the recent work of the agency in support of the Judicial Council.
She presented the Explainer Video developed as a product of the Strategic Plan Implementation
Committee and noted it would be used as an educational tool for judges, lawyers and the public.
She highlighted several other recent projects, including identification cards for interpreters, the
launch of the online child support calculator, and the upcoming Twitter Town Hall with Judge
Dillard and Judge Carla McMillian. She recognized the agency’s new Legislative Liaison, Tyler
Mashburn, and congratulated Kevin Holder on his selection as Executive Director for the
Council of Probate Court Judges. She noted her continuing travels to visit judges and observe
court, and closed her remarks by stating the agency’s commitment to serving the judiciary.
Reports from Appellate Courts and Trial Court Councils
Supreme Court. Chief Justice Thompson referred members to the written report provided
in the materials and summarized several highlights.
Court of Appeals. Chief Judge Doyle referred members to the written report provided in
the materials. She spoke to the continued development of e-filing at the Court, and stated the
Court will hold off-site banc for the next two days.
6
Council of Superior Court Judges. Judge Johnson referred members to the written report
provided in the materials. He announced that with 30 new judges anticipated to take office next
year, a special New Judge Orientation will take place in December.
Council of State Court Judges. Judge Slaby referred to the written report provided in the
materials. Two new judges were recently appointed and sworn in by Governor Deal.
Council of Juvenile Court Judges. Judge Brinson referred members to the written report
provided in the materials.
Council of Probate Court Judges. Judge Padgett referred members to the written report
provided in the materials. She introduced Kevin Holder as the Council’s new Executive Director,
effective September 1, and stated that probate courts are now issuing judicial identification cards.
Council of Magistrate Court Judges. Judge Blum referred members to the written report
provided in the materials. The Council’s Executive Committee met for two days earlier this
month and is focusing on collaboration between regional courts.
Council of Municipal Court Judges. Judge Jackson referred members to the written report
provided in the materials. He stated that the Council’s Annual Meeting was very successful and a
Leadership Meeting was held recently at Little Ocmulgee State Park.
Council of Accountability Court Judges
Judge Deal referred to the written report provided in the materials and stated that the
Council was working hard after the addition of Operating Under the Influence Courts and Family
Treatment Courts to statute.
Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution
Ms. Tracy Johnson referred members to the written report provided in the materials.
Report from the Council of Superior Court Clerks
No report provided.
Report from the Georgia Council of Court Administrators
Mr. BeMent reported that the Council’s Fall Conference will take place next week,
during which Yolanda Lewis will assume the office of President of the Council.
Old Business
No old business was offered.
New Business
No new business was offered.
7
Concluding Remarks
Chief Justice Thompson expressed appreciation to Mr. O’Connor and the State Bar for
serving on the Council and hosting the meeting. He announced that the next meeting would take
place on October 28, 2016.
Adjournment
Hearing no further business, Chief Justice Thompson adjourned the meeting at 12:13
p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
_____________________________
Tracy Mason
Assistant Director, Judicial Council/AOC
For Cynthia H. Clanton, Director and Secretary
The above and foregoing minutes
were approved on the ________ day of
________________, 2016.
__________________________________
Hugh P. Thompson
Chief Justice
Judicial Council of Georgia
General Session
State Bar of Georgia Conference Center Atlanta, GA
August 31, 2016 ● 10:00 a.m.
Guests Present
Ms. Kathy Adams, Institute of Continuing Judicial Education
Ms. Lynn Ansley, Northeastern Judicial Circuit
Lieutenant Sherry Arnold, Conyers Municipal Court
Mr. Todd Ashley, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia
Mr. Joe Baden, Third Judicial Administrative District
Ms. Tee Barnes, Supreme Court of Georgia
Judge Amanda Baxter, Georgia Office of State and Administrative Hearings
Mr. Joseph Baden, Third Judicial Administrative District
Mr. Tracy J. BeMent, Tenth Judicial Administrative District
Mr. Bob Bray, Council of State Court Judges
Ms. Christine Butcher, State Bar of Georgia
Ms. Kristie Collier, East Point Municipal Court
Judge Jason Deal, Superior Court, Northeastern Circuit
Mr. Richard F. Denney, First Judicial Administrative District
Judge Glenda Dowling, Council of Magistrate Court Judges
Judge David Emerson, Superior Court, Douglas Circuit
Mr. Steven Ferrell, Ninth Judicial Administrative District
Mr. Reggie Forrester, Northeastern Judicial Circuit
Judge Andrew Fuller, Superior Court, Northeastern Circuit
Mr. Stanton Gatewood, Georgia Technology Agency
Judge Kathlene Gosselin, Superior Court, Northeastern Circuit
Mr. Kevin Holder, Council of Probate Court Judges
Mr. Joe Hood, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
Judge Joseph Iannazzone, State Court of Gwinnett County
Judge Michael Jacobs, State Court of DeKalb County
Mr. Eric John, Council of Juvenile Court Judges
Ms. Tracy Johnson, Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution
Ms. Taylor Jones, Council of Accountability Court Judges
Mr. Randy Knighton, County Administrator, Hall County
Ms. Misty Kovach, Dalton Municipal Court
Mr. Frank Kovach, spouse of Ms. Misty Kovach
Ms. Sandy Lee, Council of Superior Court Judges
Ms. Yolanda Lewis, Fifth Judicial Administrative District
Ms. Cathy McCumber, Fourth Judicial Administrative District
Justice Harold Melton, Supreme Court of Georgia
Ms. Tia Milton, Supreme Court of Georgia
Mr. Charles Miller, Council of Superior Court Judges
Mr. Nathaniel Mingo, Riverdale Municipal Court
Mr. Malcolm Mitchell, East Point Municipal Court
Mr. David Mixon, Second Judicial Administrative District
Ms. Kristen Novak, Marietta Municipal Court
Ms. Kimberly Odom, Marietta Municipal Court
Judge Bonnie Oliver, Superior Court, Northeastern Circuit
Judge Rashida Oliver, East Point Municipal Court
Ms. Jody Overcash, Seventh Judicial Administrative District
Judge Kathy Palmer, Council of Superior Court Judges
Judge Jack Partain, Superior Court, Conasauga Circuit
Ms. LeNora Ponzo, State Court, Fulton County
Ms. Sharon Reiss, Council of Magistrate Court Judges
Mr. Daniel Regenstein, Georgia Department of Revenue
Commissioner Lynne Riley, Georgia Department of Revenue
Mr. Christopher Scott, State Court, Fulton County
Mr. Charles Spahos, Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia
Judge Philip Spivey, Council of Juvenile Court Judges
Mr. William Simmons, Sixth Judicial Administrative District
Mr. Robert Thornton, Criminal justice Coordinating Council
Ms. Missy Tolbert, Institute of Continuing Education
Mr. Bryan Tyson, Georgia Public Defender Council
Ms. Kristen Wallace, Council of Juvenile Court Judges
Ms. Shannon Weathers, Council of Superior Court Judges
Judge W. Allen Wigington, Magistrate Court of Pickens County
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334 404-656-5171 • www.georgiacourts.gov
Judicial Council of GeorgiaAdministrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson Cynthia H. Clanton Chair Director
Memorandum TO: Judicial Council of Georgia FROM: Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard, Chair Standing Committee on Court Reporting Matters RE: Committee Report DATE: October 11, 2016 ______________________________________________________________________________ The Standing Committee on Court Reporting Matters represents the Judicial Council on all matters relating to court reporting. The Committee continues work on two major projects to improve the practice and professionalism of court reporting in Georgia: Civil Court Reporting Policies and Fees: The Committee reviewed the first draft the Judicial Council Policies and Fees for Court Reporting Services in Civil Cases. The civil fee schedule was last updated 2008. The Committee plans to present the new civil policies and fees for Judicial Council approval in early 2017. (The Judicial Council Policies and Fees for Court Reporting Services in Criminal Cases were effective January 1, 2015.) Rule 2.3(A): Rule 2.3(A) of Judicial Council Policies and Fees for Court Reporting Services in Criminal Cases is being amended to comply with the Georgia Court of Appeals’ holding in State v. Walton. The court held that Rule 2.3(A), which allows parties to receive free digital copies of transcripts, conflicted with O.C.G.A. § 15-14-5, which requires that court reporters first be paid for producing the transcripts. The amended Rule 2.3(A) will clarify that requirement.The Committee plans to present the amended rule for Judicial Council approval at the December 9, 2016, meeting. Action Item: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-14-24, the Judicial Council appoints the members of the Board of Court Reporting for two-year terms. The Committee voted on September 21, 2016, to nominate the following court reporter for appointment to an open seat on the Board, effective July 1, 2016: • Kevin King, Freelance Reporter, Machine Shorthand. Mr. King has more than 30 years of
experience in the court reporting profession. He began court reporting in 1984 with Atlant Reporting Service. Since 1988, he has worked for American Court Reporting in Atlanta as a
Judicial Council Administrative Office of Courts
freelance reporter. For five years during that time he served as Southeast trainer for Gigatron Corporation’s StenoCat software. He is currently manager of American Court Reporting, and he also works as a court reporter several times a year. He holds an A.S. degree in court reporting from Orlando College.
The Committee now submits this candidate for Judicial Council approval. The nine-member Board of Court Reporting is composed of: five court reporters certified by method of machine shorthand and voice; two representatives from the State Bar of Georgia; and two members of the judiciary (one Superior Court judge and one State Court judge).
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-5171 • www.georgiacourts.gov
Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson Cynthia H. Clanton Chair Director
Memorandum
TO: Judicial Council of Georgia
FROM: Chief Judge W. Allen Wigington, Chair
RE: Strategic Plan Standing Committee Report
DATE: October 5, 2016
The Strategic Plan Standing (SP) Committee has been engaged in strategic planning since May
2016. The SP Committee worked with Jim Poulakos of HKA Strategy, LLC to develop a strategic
plan for fiscal years 2017 – 2019. The resulting plan continues the vision, mission and guiding
principles of the previous strategic plan as well as its strategic objectives. New key initiatives were
developed to advance the strategic objectives. Each key initiative has been ranked in priority and
timeframe for completion and includes specific action items for success. AOC staff have been
assigned to each key initiative as goal managers. The success of the new strategic plan will be
measured similarly to the prior plan, with AOC staff tracking progress and reporting to the SP
Committee and the SP Committee providing overall guidance on plan implementation.
Action Item:
The SP Committee requests that the Judicial Council approve the proposed Strategic Plan for fiscal
years 2017 – 2019. The proposed Strategic Plan is attached.
The next scheduled meeting of the SP Committee is December 13, 2016 at the State Bar of
Georgia. Pending approval of the Strategic Plan by Judicial Council, the SP Committee will begin
implementation of the Strategic Plan at that time.
Attachment
Judicial Council of Georgia
Administrative Office of the Courts
Strategic Business Plan
FY 2017 – FY 2019
October 2016
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY2017-FY2019 2
Table of Contents
1.0 Executive Summary 3
2.0 Strategy Map 4
3.0 Strategy Map Development & Details 5
4.0 Key Initiatives Summary 7
5.0 Guidelines for Measuring Success 8
6.0 Strategic Plan Usage 11
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY2017-FY2019 3
1. Executive Summary
The Judicial Council of Georgia has been actively engaged in strategic planning since
2013 and has completed its previous Strategic Plan. As the Bylaws of the Judicial
Council require the Council to engage in ongoing strategic planning, the Judicial Council
Strategic Plan Standing Committee determined a need to create an updated Strategic Plan
to identify and prioritize the major strategic objectives of the Judicial Council. Using
facilitators to guide the information gathering process, the Judicial Council Strategic Plan
Standing Committee met in multiple on-site sessions to discuss the critical topics and
focus on creating an updated Strategic Plan for the future.
The end result of the 2016 strategic planning sessions includes:
Defined Judicial Council priorities for the coming 2-3 years
A Strategic Plan that defines success and measures progress
Aligned and prioritized key initiatives required to support the vision, mission, and
strategic objectives of the Judicial Council
A defined process for measuring and reporting progress on a regular basis
Defined action items, ownership, and timeframes for completion of key initiatives
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY 2017 – FY 2019 4
2. Strategy Map
4
Drivers
Vision
To improve justice in all Georgia
courts through collaboration,
innovation, and information
Mission
The Judicial Council and AOC lead
collaboration on policy across
Georgia’s courts to improve the
administration of justice in Georgia
Guiding Principles
- Uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary
- Promote efficient and effective administration of justice
- Support informed, fact-based decisions that affect the
courts
- Collaborate with key stakeholders in judicial, executive,
and legislative branches
Strategic
Objectives
Key
Initiatives 1. Promote public accessibility and transparency in the courts
2. Promote the use of technology as an effective communication tool
3. Encourage ongoing use of CourTools
measures to promote access and fairness in the courts
Improve Citizen Experience
with Georgia Courts
4. Encourage ongoing Executive and Legislative branch communications and initiatives of mutual interest
5. Modernize court information collection and workload assessment to accurately reflect the work of the courts
6. Promote effective multi-disciplinary judicial education practices across multiple councils and groups
7. Enhance the professional and ethical image of the judiciary in the community
8. Monitor and share trends and best practices of interest to the judiciary
9. Assist the judiciary in business continuity and leadership succession planning
Improve Collaboration and
Planning
Build Thought Leadership
Measures
Of Success 1. Utilize individual measures identified for each Key Initiative
2. Track progress on Key Initiatives by assigned AOC Senior Leadership
3. Report progress on Key Initiatives to the Judicial Council
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY 2017 – FY 2019 5
5
3. Strategy Map Development & Details
Based on a common understanding of high-level priorities and needs amongst the
strategic planning group, the group focused on developing the Strategic Plan or
“roadmap.” The development of each component of the map incorporated feedback from
the strategic planning group.
The activities included in defining the components of the Strategy Map encompass
confirming, revising and/or defining a:
Vision – What do we aspire to be?
Mission – Why are we here?
Guiding Principles - How will we operate and what rules/guidelines will we use?
Strategic Objectives – Groupings of what we want to do.
Key Initiatives – Projects or major activities to be done with specific actions.
Measures of Success – How do we measure the success of our strategic objectives
(at the key initiative and strategic objective level)?
The items below are the results of the group discussions in each of the above areas.
These points were individually agreed upon by the strategic planning group.
Vision
To improve justice in all Georgia courts through collaboration, innovation, and
information
Mission
The Judicial Council and AOC lead collaboration on policy across Georgia’s courts to
improve the administration of justice in Georgia
Guiding Principles
Uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary
Promote efficient and effective administration of justice
Support informed, fact-based decisions that affect the courts
Collaborate with key stakeholders in judicial, executive, and legislative branches
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY 2017 – FY 2019 6
6
Strategic Objectives
Next, the strategic planning group identified a number of needs and confirmed its
strategic objectives. Based on the discussions, the strategic planning team agreed that the
strategic objectives required to meet the vision of the Judicial Council are:
Improve Citizen Experience with Georgia Courts
Improve Collaboration and Planning
Build Thought Leadership
Key Initiatives
The strategic planning group then reviewed the list of topics and defined concise key
initiatives to address each one. The group utilized a prioritization process on the
inventory of key initiatives to assign a level of importance to each key initiative.
The key initiatives are now ordered by High, Medium, and Low priority based on the
results of group discussion and consensus. The definition for the priorities is as follows:
High - Must Have
Medium - Great to Have
Low - Nice to Have
The key initiatives have been grouped by strategic objective and assigned a timeframe for
completion. Timeframes will be Short Term (6-12 months), Medium Term (12-24
months) and Long Term (24+ months). The table on the next slide demonstrates the
strategic objective/key initiative alignment and detail.
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY 2017 – FY2019 7
4. Key Initiatives Summary
Description Priority Timeframe StatusInitiative 1: Promote public accessibility and transparency in the courts
H MT NS
Initiative 2: Promote the use of technology as an effective communication tool
M ST NS
Initiative 3: Encourage ongoing use of CourTools measures to promote access and fairness in the courts
M LT NS
Initiative 4: Encourage ongoing Executive and Legislative branch communications and initiatives of mutual interest
H ST IP
Initiative 5: Modernize court information collection and workload assessment to accurately reflect the work of the courts
H MT NS
Initiative 6: Promote effective multi-disciplinary judicial education practices across multiple councils and groups
L LT NS
Initiative 7: Enhance the professional and ethical image of the judiciary in the community
H ST NS
Initiative 8: Monitor and share trends and best practices of interest to the judiciary
M MT NS
Initiative 9: Assist the judiciary in business continuity and leadership succession planning
L LT NS
Timeframe: ST – Short term, MT – Medium term, LT – Long term Status: New, NS-Not Started, IP – In Process, O-Ongoing, C-Complete
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY 2017 – FY 2019 8
5. Guidelines for Measuring Success
Once the core components of the Strategy Map were developed, the strategic planning group
focused on defining key guidelines for measuring progress and ultimately success associated
with implementing the Strategic Plan. The following guidelines were the result of this
discussion:
Measures should be at the strategic objective level
Assignment of a responsible party for each strategic objective or specific key initiatives
that roll up to the strategic objective for summary
Define measures at high/low level as needed
Establish a frequency for measuring and reporting progress
Next, the strategic planning group discussed how it would track and measure success in
addressing the strategic objectives. The Judicial Council Strategic Plan Standing Committee
created specific measures for some actions as well as an overall measure of progress against each
strategic objective that will be used to generate progress reports to the Judicial Council.
The status reporting tool (currently used by multiple Judge’s Councils) has been provided as an
example and can be used to capture progress against the Strategic Plan by strategic objective and
by priority levels while the individual measures would serve as a completion checkpoint for each
action. Each strategic objective group would be rolled up into a summary report to report overall
status on the Strategic Plan.
Additionally, the group assigned ownership of coordinating reporting/status to the AOC senior
leadership to measure and report progress by strategic objective against the Strategic Plan. The
roles and responsibilities for the AOC are provided on the below. The general roles and
responsibilities of the AOC senior leadership that can be modified to best suit the Strategic Plan
Standing Committee and/or Judicial Council.
Responsibilities include:
Judicial Council Strategic Plan Standing Committee owns the Strategic Plan
AOC senior leadership will delegate the Strategic Plan key initiatives to AOC staff and
manage completion of the key initiatives within the defined timeframe
The Judicial Council Strategic Plan Standing Committee and AOC will “plan the work
and work the plan” – define expectation of work and effort to be completed
Judicial Council Strategic Plan Standing Committee Chair will communicate to the
Judicial Council on the whole
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY 2017 – FY 2019 9
Sample Status Reports
Summary View
53.3%
13.3%
33.3%
Judicial Council Strategic PlanProgress Report by Goal (% Complete)
Improve Citizen
Experience with Georgia
Courts
Improve Collaboration and
Planning
Build Thought Leadership
0
10
20
30
40
50
Not Started In Process Complete Total
Nu
mb
er
of
Init
iati
ves
Initiative Status
Judicial Council Strategic Plan Progress Report by Initiative Priority
High
Medium
Low
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY 2017 – FY 2019 10
Strategic Objective Owner Summary
16.7%
13.3%
8.3%
Goal 2: Improve Collaboration and Planning% Complete
High
Medium
Low
0
5
10
15
20
Not Started In Process Complete Total
Nu
mb
er
of
Init
iati
ves
Initiative Status
Goal 2: Improve Collaboration and PlanningSummary Status
High
Medium
Low
96
3
Status of High Priority Initiatives for Improve Collaboration and Planning
Not Started
In Process
Complete
85
2
Status of Medium Priority Initiatives
for Improve Collaboration and Planning
Not Started
In Process
74
1
Status of Low Priority Initiatives for Improve Collaboration and Planning
Not Started
In Process
Complete
Judicial Council of Georgia
Strategic Business Plan for FY 2017 – FY 2019 11
6. Strategic Plan Usage
Future Use of the Strategic Plan:
Guiding document
Internal and external communication tool
Measuring stick for progress
Priority stabilizer
Provide an accounting of past and present effort
Credibility measure
Build legacy and reputation
Long-range planning tool
Approval of the Strategic Plan:
Judicial Council Strategic Plan Standing Committee
Judicial Council
Ongoing Maintenance of the Strategic Plan:
Living document with periodic reviews
Quarterly assessment and adjustment with status reporting at Judicial Council meetings
Annual 1-2 day refresh and update
Communicate Plan To:
Judicial Council Committees
Judges Councils Presidents
Legislature
AOC
Other external stakeholders
Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson Cynthia H. Clanton Chair Director
Memorandum
TO: Judicial Council of Georgia
FROM: Michelle Barclay, Division Director
RE: Communications, Children, Families and the Courts Division
DATE: October 28, 2016
The Communications, Children, Families and the Courts Division of the AOC serves as the hub for all
communications and provides staff for the Supreme Court of Georgia Committee on Justice for Children,
chaired by Presiding Justice P. Harris Hines; the Georgia Commission on Child Support, now chaired by
Judge Michael Key; and the Access, Fairness, Public Trust and Confidence Committee of the Judicial
Council, co-chaired by Justice Robert Benham and Justice Carol Hunstein, as well as any grant funded
work related to children and families. Researching grants for courts is also a service provided within this
division.
In addition, this staff also serves as a liaison to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV),
chaired by Holly Tuchman, and the Council of Accountability Courts with Judge Jason Deal as its current
President.
Following is a brief synopsis of the work.
Committee on Justice for Children (J4C): The staff of the J4C are working in partnership with
many executive branch agencies on a number of projects including the Cold Case Project
(reviews of foster children’s cases by lawyers which is state funded) and the Court Process
Reporting System which is currently grant funded. The federal grant funding for J4C work was
recently cut on September 30, 2016. We are awaiting official confirmation from the federal
government before meeting to discuss new funding priorities. See: j4c.georgiacourts.gov
Communications: Improving communications for internal and external judicial branch
audiences is a priority under the Judicial Council Strategic Plan. A communication plan created
in 2015 is now being implemented. Daily and periodic tasks within communications include
working on writing the JC/AOC Annual Report, publishing the quarterly Courts Journal;
maintaining the Georgia Courts Directory; assisting with drafting and distribution of press
releases; updating Judicial Council materials, providing substantive content for our
Facebook/Twitter pages and the JC/AOC website (https://www.facebook.com/GACourts and
https://twitter.com/Gacourts) and http://georgiacourts.gov; taking photos and drafting daily
messages for events and communications. A Twitter Town Hall occurred on September 15,
2016, in conjunction with Constitution Day, see: https://storify.com/ashleystollar/askgajudges-
57dac61b26208a39524a8939 and we recently created an explainer video about the Judicial
Council of Georgia, see: https://vimeo.com/179183886.
Child Support Commission: The Commission staff works collaboratively with Georgia’s
Department of Human Services on the Parental Accountability Courts and training court
coordinators on use of the database that will give us statistical evidence of the efficacy of those
courts. The Commission’s work has recently has focused drafting legislation to be filed for the
2017 session of the General Assembly. The Commission released its new online child support
calculator, along with user manuals, which has been well received. Commission staff is now
training trainers, and preparing for its November 10, 2016 Child Support Conference in
Columbus, Georgia. See: http://csc.georgiacourts.gov/
Access, Fairness, and Public Trust and Confidence Committee (AFPTCC): One upcoming
AFPTC project includes a collaboration between the Council of Municipal Court Judges
(CMunCJ), the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education, and AFPTCC on a symposium entitled
“Georgia Reflections on Ferguson – The Role of the Courts.” Judge Latisha Dear-Jackson and
Judge Leslie Spornberger Jones are providing leadership for the project. The symposium will be
held on December 15, 2016, in commemoration of Bill of Rights Day, in the President’s Dining
Room at Mercer University Center in Macon, Georgia. The CMunCJ and AFPTC planning
committee hope that the symposium will bring all relevant stakeholders together to begin a
discussion on best practices. A draft agenda is attached. In addition, the planning committee
intends that the written materials from the symposium will serve as the foundation for a best
practices handbook for judges, attorneys, municipalities and other stakeholders in misdemeanor
traffic and ordinance cases. Registration will open to the public on October 17, 2016. Please
visit our website for more information. http://afptc.georgiacourts.gov/
Family Violence Grants: In addition to serving as liaison to the GCFV as mentioned previously,
the staff in this division manages grants related to family violence including those provided by
Federal Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The OVW grant supports the DeKalb County Domestic
Violence Court by supporting the costs of its coordinator and provides limited support for two
legal advocates. The CJCC grant supports domestic violence courts throughout the state with
training and follow up visits. This division has taken over the administration of the state funded
civil legal services grants for victims of domestic violence. Legal leadership on these grants
provided by AOC attorney Patricia Buonodono, with daily fiscal management provided by Paula
Myrick and budget to program compliance provided by AOC Chief Budget Officer, Ashley
Garner.
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia Suite 104, 18 Capitol Square, Atlanta, Georgia 30334
(404) 656-4964 Fax (404) 651-8626
Council of Superior Court Judges
Report to Judicial Council
October 2016
Approximately 30 new judges will take part in a special new judge orientation to be held in Athens
for three days in December 2016. Topics will focus on domestic relations, criminal, and civil cases;
training on the judges’ internal communication tool, Sidebar; administrative training on staff rules
and management; a presentation from the Department of Corrections on sentencing; a session from
the Judicial Qualifications Commission; orientation on accountability courts; training on the media
and Uniform Rule 22; and education on the filing requirements of the ethics commission.
Several superior court judges have been appointed to Judicial Council committees and boards. Judge
Brenda Trammel was confirmed at the last Judicial Council meeting as a member of the Board of
Court Reporting. Judge Billy Boyett will chair the new Judicial Council Committee on Grants, and
Judge Melanie Cross will serve as vice-chair. Judge Asha Jackson will serve on the Certiorari Review
Subcommittee of the Judicial Council Policy and Legislation Committee. Judge David Emerson will
continue to serve as the chair of the Judicial Workload Assessment Committee, and Judge Rusty
Smith will serve as vice-chair. Judge Gregory Poole will represent CSCJ on the new Judicial Council
Committee on Education and Training.
Superior court judges also serve on two important subcommittees of the Council on Criminal Justice
Reform. Judge Horace Johnson, Judge Tripp Self, and Judge Shawn LaGrua serve on the Sentencing
Subcommittee, and Judge Mark Anthony Scott serves on the Probation Subcommittee.
Judge Shawn LaGrua was also selected, along with Judge Trent Brown, to participate in a four-day
Leadership for Judges course at the National Judicial College in late August. Judge Bill Hamrick was
selected to participate in the Southern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Government’s
Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills in late September.
On September 20, 2016, Judge Doris Downs and Judge Kathy Gosselin were panelists at a training
seminar at the State Bar of Georgia on issues related to those incompetent to stand trial. This training
was sponsored by the Department of Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health and Georgia
Appleseed.
Superior Courts now have 109 accountability courts, with more planned to begin throughout the
remainder of 2016. Currently, accountability courts are operating in 47 of 49 circuits.
CSCJ is sad to report the deaths of former Senior Judge Jim Oxendine, who served in the Gwinnett
Circuit for many years, and Senior Judge William J. Neville, who served in the Ogeechee Judicial
Circuit.
Council of State Court Judges Impartial Courts Judicial Excellence Accessible and Efficient Justice
244 Washington Street, S.W.
Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334
404-651-6204 FAX 404-463-5173
Report of the Council of State Court Judges Judicial Council Meeting
October 28, 2016 The Council would like to recognize the Council of Superior Court Judges for their seamless transition of hosting the Suggested Pattern Jury Instructions. We recently held our Fall Educational Session at Callaway Gardens. Also included were newly elected “Judges-to-be” who wished to get a head-start on their education classes prior to their swearing in. Judge Michael P. Boggs of the Court of Appeals of Georgia was our guest speaker who addressed the recent work of the Criminal Justice Reform Council and its recent focus on misdemeanor sentencing and probation. Our Director has been participating in the Impaired Driving Task Force Strategic Planning group which includes state and local law enforcement officials, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Prosecuting Attorney’s Council and the American Automobile Association. An Impaired Driving Summit is planned for December 1st at the Carter Center in Atlanta. Our Director was invited to make a presentation to the Brantley County Board of Commissioners last month to discuss the feasibility study recently completed and to assist county officials who are exploring the budgetary needs to start a state court. The Council recently received the final report of the Follow-Up Performance Audit on Misdemeanor Probation Operations by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts Performance and submitted responses where appropriate. Our Council has started making plans and preparations for the upcoming time and motion study of the state and superior courts by the National Center for State Courts and the Judicial Council’s Administrative Office of the Courts in conjunction with the work of the Judicial Workload Assessment Committee. Of particular interest to the state courts are the times to dispose of Accountability Court misdemeanor cases and complex civil cases that have increased in our court’s filings statewide. The Misdemeanor Bench Card produced by the AOC in partnership with the Criminal Justice Reform Council has been distributed to all of our state court judges as of last week. We look forward to reviewing the new rules that are being drafted that make new revisions to the operations, policies and processes of the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
Staff Bob Bray Executive Director
Executive Committee
Judge Richard A. Slaby President (Richmond) Judge H. Gregory Fowler President Elect (Chatham) Judge Nancy Bills Secretary (Rockdale) Judge Joseph C. Iannazzone Treasurer (Gwinnett) Judge Wayne M. Purdom Past President (DeKalb) District 1 Judge Leon M. Braun, Jr. (Liberty) District 2 Judge R. Violet Bennett (Wayne) District 3 Judge John K. Edwards, Jr. (Lowndes) District 4 Judge Aaron Mason (Clayton) District 5 Judge Alan W. Thrower (Baldwin) District 6 Judge B. E. Gene Roberts, III (Hall) District 7 Judge Wesley B. Tailor (Fulton) District 8 Judge T. Russell McClelland (Forsyth)
Respectfully submitted,
Richard A. Slaby Judge Richard A. Slaby President, Council of State Court Judges
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334 Phone: 404-656-5171 • Fax: 404-651-6449
Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia
Judge Alice W. Padgett President (Columbia)
Judge Rooney Bowen, III
President Elect (Dooly)
Judge Sarah Harris First Vice President (Bibb County)
Judge Darin McCoy
Secretary-Treasurer (Evans)
Judge Don Wilkes Immediate Past President (Emanuel)
The following is a summary of activities and current initiatives by the Council of Probate Court Judges: Judicial Council Standing Committee Appointments I am happy to announce the following judges have been appointed to serve on respective Judicial Council Standing Committees, as shown in parentheses: Judge Sarah Harris, Bibb County Probate Court (Standing Committee on Court Reporting Matters), Judge T. J. Hudson, Treutlen County Probate Court (Standing Committee on Education and Training), Judge Sherry Moore, Jackson County Probate Court (Standing Committee on Grants) and Judge Annie Doris Holder, Calhoun County Probate Court (Judicial Council Workload Assessment Committee). Portrait Unveiling of Judge William J. Self II The Council would like to congratulate Judge William J. Self II, who was recently honored at the Macon-Bibb County Courthouse where his portrait was unveiled. Judge Self served as the probate judge in Bibb County for 23 years and his contributions to the Council have been immeasurable. Judge Self is the Past President of our Council and the National College of Probate Judges. Fall COAG Conference The Constitutional Officers’ Association of Georgia Fall Conference will take place November 14-17 in Savannah. During the COAG conference, the Council’s Executive Committee and Training Council will meet. A business meeting will also be held. New Probate Judges There will be between 38-41 new judges, depending upon the results of the November 8, 2016 general election. New Judges’ Orientation Finally, the New Judges’ Orientation will be held November 30-December 2, 2016 for those judges with traffic jurisdiction. As many as 25 new judges with traffic jurisdiction are expected, depending upon the outcome of the November elections. New Judges’ Orientation for all judges will be held December 11-December 15, 2016. The Holiday Inn in Athens will host both sessions. Respectfully submitted, Alice Padgett Alice Padgett President, Council of Probate Court Judges
Report to Judicial Council of Georgia October 28, 2016
Council of Municipal Court Judges
Report to the Judicial Council of Georgia - October 2016
The Council of Municipal Court Judges has had a busy summer! Here is an
overview of its recent events, programs, and activities:
Legislation
For the 2017 session of the General Assembly, the Council of Municipal Court
Judges (CMuCJ) plans to seek legislation to create a Council of Municipal Court
Judges Savings Plan. The proposed legislation seeks to propose a new O.C.G.A.
36-32-41 and is designed to give the Council the authority to create a tax deferred
savings plan for all Council members in good standing. The intention has been
brought before the Judicial Council Policy and Legislative Committee as an
informational item; this Savings Plan will require no local or State funding. The
initiative was recently approved by the membership to move forward and will be
presented at the next Policy and Legislative meeting for vetting.
Additionally, the CMuCJ proposed that a committee on Certiorari Review be
established through the auspices of the Judicial Council of Georgia (by way of
the Policy and Legislative Committee) to re-examine existing law with an effort
to streamline and economize the municipal court appellate practice in Georgia. A
subcommittee has been appointed by Presiding Justice Harris Hines, to be chaired
by Judge Christopher McFadden, Court of Appeals. The subcommittee’s initial
meeting is set for November 4, 2016.
The CMuCJ was engaged by the Criminal Justice Reform Council in the previous
session due to the possible effects of its work on municipal courts. The Council
has continued to monitor and participate in discussions regarding traffic reform
and probation for the upcoming session through representation by Judge
Margaret Gettle Washburn.
Training Initiative(s) and Strengthening the Council
The Council of Municipal Court Judges in collaboration with the Access,
Fairness, Public Trust and Confidence (AFPTC) Committee, one of the Judicial
Council’s standing committees, is slated to conduct a symposium entitled
“Georgia Reflections on Ferguson.” Judge Dear Jackson, AFPTC municipal
judges representative, and Judge Leslie Spornberger Jones, CMuCJ Immediate
Past President, have provided leadership for the project. The symposium is
scheduled for December 15, 2016 at Mercer School of Law. The CMuCJ and
AFPTC planning committee hopes that the symposium will bring together all
relevant stakeholders to begin discussions on best practices. Registration is
available now at: http://tinyurl.com/j3y6p7u
Council Meeting Endeavors
The Council's full Executive Committee met on October 13, 2016, at the Georgia
Center, in Athens, Georgia.
The Council held its Business Meeting at the Georgia Center in Athens, Georgia
on this day as well. The Membership approved the legislative initiative to create a
Council of Municipal Court Judges Savings Plan at its Business Meeting and
Judge Gary E. Jackson, President
City of Atlanta
150 Garnett Street, S.W.
ATLANTA GA 30303 -3612
404-658-6966
Judge John Roberts, President Elect
City of Lithonia
Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson, Vice
President
City of Stone Mountain
Judge Rashida Oliver, Secretary
City of East Point
Judge John Clayton Davis
Treasurer
City of Love Joy
Judge Leslie Spornberger Jones
Immediate Past President
Athens- Clarke County
District One
Judge Richard Sanders
Judge Derek White
District Two
Judge Jason Moon
Judge Willie Weaver, Sr.
District Three
Judge Michael P. Cielinski
Judge James “Jim” Thurman
District Four
Judge Garland C. Moore
Judge John Roberts
District Five
Judge Christopher Portis
Judge Donald Schaefer
District Six
Judge J. Kristi Lovelace
Judge Christopher E. Chapman
District Seven
Judge Timothy McCreary
Judge Roger Rozen
District Eight
Judge Michael Gailey
Judge Tommy J. Smith
District Nine
Judge Pamela Boles
Judge Claude Mason
District Ten
Judge Lori Duff
Judge Dale Samuels
honored retiring Institute of Continuing Judicial Education (ICJE) staff Richard D. Reaves, Executive Director,
and Kathy Adams, Associate Director. Mr. Reaves and Ms. Adams, both of whom will retire on December 31,
2016, were presented with awards signifying their contributions and years of service to the advancement of
judicial education for municipal judges in Georgia.
Continuing Judicial Education
The Council held its Winter Summer Law and Practice Seminar October 12-14, 2016 in Athens, Georgia,
conducted through the ICJE. The three-day program provided accreditation for those serving as of January 1,
2016 (New Judges), in addition to recertifying judges. The curriculum included JQC Issues; Ferguson Issues;
Probation; 4th Amendment Issues; GCIC Update, 5th Amendment Issues In Impaired Driving Cases; DDS;
Immigration Issues; Procedural Contempt Panel; Mental Health Issues, What to look for in court; Case Law
Update and Evidence. Additional subject matter tracks were provided to new judges as well; including Sovereign
Citizens.
Judicial Council/AOC Intranet
The Council of Municipal Court Judges is gearing up to make use of the Judicial Council/Administrative Office
of the Courts’ (AOC) Intranet platform by months’ end. Intranets serve many different purposes, but their primary
objective is to facilitate internal communication; this is vital amongst the Council’s membership of 370 judges.
This tool has been developed as a document storage and drafting workplace, includes an events calendar and a
knowledge base, and replicates listserv functionality even as it archives posts and comments. A small group of
judges has been testing this tool since August and the Council is excited to move into this phase of technology
with the AOC!
Next Meeting
The Council of Municipal Court Judges Executive Committee is scheduled to meet January 20, 2017 in Atlanta,
Georgia.
244 Washington Street SW • Suite 300 • Atlanta, GA 30334
404.656.2613 • www.gaaccountabilitycourts.org
Council of Accountability Court Judges
Report to Judicial Council October 2016 The Council of Accountability Courts Judges (CACJ), in conjunction with the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education (ICJE), hosted the CACJ 2016 Inaugural Accountability Courts Training Conference at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia from September 11th – September 13th, 2016. The theme of the training conference was Getting Back to Basics and consisted of three plenary training sessions, as well as eighteen court specific and/or team role specific breakout sessions. The Accountability Court teams of Georgia were well represented at the conference, and had the opportunity to review the fundamentals that they practice each day as Accountability Court professionals; as well as a time to discover and learn new trends while networking with new, and old friends. The CACJ Training & Education Committee, chaired by Judge Stephen S. Goss, brought together national and local speakers to present on a variety of Accountability Court topics; some of which included: Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT), Addressing Disparities in Drug Courts, Trends and Emerging Issues in DWI Courts, and the Principles of Risk, Need, and Responsivity. In addition to the training sessions, the Council of Accountability Courts Judges also took the time to honor the time, effort, and commitment it takes by each individual team member, to operate a successful Accountability Court. The CACJ received many nominations for each of the various Accountability Court team roles of individuals who have gone above and beyond to serve the Accountability Courts of Georgia, as well as their communities. The CACJ awarded nine Georgia Accountability Court STAR Awards in a ceremony held during the training conference. The 2016 award recipients are:
Chief Judge H. Gregory Fowler – Chatham County DUI Court – Judge Award
Mr. Jeff Jones – South Enotah Drug Court – The Honorable Tommy Day Wilcox Leadership Award
Ms. Marisa Sullens – Hall County Family Treatment Court – Coordinator Award
Ms. Tiffany Jones – Cobb County DUI Court – Case Manager Award
Ms. Meribeth Pilot – Troup County Adult Mental Health Court – Treatment Provider Award
Mr. Larry Clemmons – Appalachian Judicial Circuit Drug Court – Probation Officer Award
Mr. Bob Crossett – Cobb County DUI Court – Defense Attorney Award
Mr. Clark Candler – Hall County Drug Court – Prosecutor Award
The CACJ would like to say a special thanks to the ICJE, the District Court Administrators, and all of the conference volunteers for their dedicated support of Georgia’s Accountability Courts.
Since the conclusion of the conference, the CACJ, in conjunction with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), has released the FY17 Accountability Court Grant Solicitation. The CACJ Funding Committee is scheduled to meet in early November 2016 to determine funding awards that will begin in January 2017. The CACJ continues to work closely with the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts, and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, to develop the Accountability Courts of Georgia under the guidance and expertise of Judges.
Taylor Jones
Executive Director Judge Jason J. Deal
Executive Committee Chair
Northeastern Judicial Circuit
Council of Accountability Court Judges
GEORGIA COMMISSION ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION
244 WASHINGTON STREET, S.W., SUITE 300, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334-5900
404-463-3808; www.godr.org
The following is an update on the initiatives and activities for the Commission
on Dispute Resolution:
Ethics Opinion 6
The Commission on Dispute Resolution periodically publishes ethics opinions based on real events brought to the attention of the Committee on Ethics to help neutrals avoid potential ethical issues in their practice. The most recent opinion - Ethics Opinion 6 was approved August 24, 2016, and is available on the GODR website www.godr.org under “Mediator Ethics Information”. In this particular case, the Committee addressed a number of ethical issues including court standing orders for ADR, neutral selection in court cases, and conflict of interest.
2016 Registration Renewal
The 2016 registration renewal season for neutrals began October 1, 2016. Neutrals have until December 31, 2016 for on-time renewal. Neutrals must renew their registration each year. At the end of 2015, there were 2,109 registered neutrals in the categories of general, domestic relations, specialized domestic violence, arbitration, juvenile dependency and juvenile delinquency.
ADR Program Directors’ Retreat
ADR Program Directors across the state have been invited to participate in a
two-day retreat to be held November 30 through December 2, 2016, at Lake
Lanier Island Resort. The retreat will focus heavily on research, analysis, and
evaluation - one of the objectives of the CODR’s strategic plan. Program
Directors will also discuss case management systems and receive updates and
training on the new online child support calculator and the current work to
revise the guidelines for mediating cases with domestic violence.
ADR Institute
The 23rd Annual ADR Institute and 2016 Neutrals’ Conference will be held
Friday, December 9, 2016, at the State Bar of Georgia. Over 200 participants
are expected to attend this event.
Upcoming Commission Meeting Dates
The next commission meeting dates are: November 2, 2016; February 1, 2017;
and May 3, 2017. Meeting information is posted on the GODR website at
www.godr.org.
Chair
Hon. Charles E. Auslander, III
Executive Director
Tracy B. Johnson
Commission Members
Chief Justice Hugh P.
Thompson
Hon. Gregory A. Adams
Emily S. Bair, Esq.
Hubert J. Bell, Jr., Esq.
Raymond C. Chadwick, Jr.,
Esq.
Mary Donovan, Esq.
Hon. Sara Doyle
Hon. C. Andrew Fuller
Melissa C. Heard, M.S.S.W.
Timothy Hedeen, Ph.D.
Hon. Stefani R. Lacour
Hon. J. Carlisle Overstreet
Rep. Jay Powell, Esq.
Edith B. Primm, Esq.
Vjollca Prroni Young
Ex Officio Member:
Patrick J. O’Connor, Esq.
Officers:
President Yolanda L. Lewis s" Judicial District
President-Elect Tracy Johnson Office of Dispute Resolution
Vice President Jeff West Gwinnett County Recorder's Court
Immediate Past President Tracy "T J" BeMent 1 o" Judicial District
Secretary Steven Nevels Piedmont Judicial Circuit
Treasurer Lynn Ansley Northeastern Judicial Circuit
Board Members:
LeNora Ponzo State Court of Fulton County
Kimberly Ciccaglione Gwinnett Judicial Circuit
Gary DuBose Juvenile Court of Fulton County
Colin Slay Clayton County Juvenile Court
Stephanie C. Hines Judicial Council/AOC
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334 [email protected]
Report to Judicial Council of Georgia
October 2016
The Georgia Council of Court Administrators (GCCA) is pleased to submit
this report to the Judicial Council on behalf of our nearly 200 members
throughout the state. GCCA is comprised of court professionals throughout
Georgia who serve in a wide variety of management positions in our courts.
We have members from every class of court including the Court of Appeals
and Supreme Court.
As we prepare for 2017, GCCA wishes to highlight and thank our
Immediate Past President TJ BeMent for his service during the 2015 - 2016
term. We are also elated to welcome our 2016-2017 Executive Board
members who have committed to our continued efforts as the premier
education and development center for court professionals. The information
below provides a snapshot of the work being done by our organization.
Please let us know how we can be of assistance.
2015 Fall Leadership Conference
GCCA proudly welcomed 104 court professionals to Jekyll Island for the fall
leadership conference in September. The conference theme was "Building
Yearly Operating Budgets", a topic which provided attendees vital
information about preparing and defending budgets in local and state
government. The forthcoming Spring conference will focus on public trust
and confidence and is scheduled for April 9-12 at Lake Lanier Island.
20th Year Anniversary
For nearly 20 years, GCCA has spearheaded the charge to serve and
support courts through the education, training and development of court
professionals. From inception to now, the organization has prepared
hundreds of professionals to assist jurists in meeting the changing
dynamics of the courts with an eye toward improving the administration of
justice. Honoring our rich history, GCCA is preparing to celebrate its 20th
Anniversary in 2017. A number of events are being planned to celebrate
the commitment of members and our past presidents for their undeniable
investment.
GCCA Judicial Council Report - October 2016
2017 Program of the Year Award
Each year, our organization selects a court Program of the Year recipient in the State of
Georgia which demonstrates an innovative response to a concern which hinders the
administration of justice. Programs nominated for the award are reviewed based on five
(5) selection criteria which include transferability, creativity or uniqueness, durability,
program goals, and cost effectiveness. This year, five (5) programs were nominated from
Rockdale, Cobb, Athens-Clark and Fulton counties, along with the Administrative Office of
the Courts. After careful review, GCCA recognized the Superior Court of Fulton County's
Remote Interpretation initiative as the 2017 Program of the Year. The program provides
access to more than 200 foreign languages on-demand 24 hours a day via a mobile device,
thereby reducing costs and increasing access to justice.
GCCA Cares
GCCA is committed to giving back to the communities where educational conferences are
hosted. At the 2016 Fall Conference, members extended voluntary donations to the
National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc. The Georgia National Guard Family
Support Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation established in 1994 to
provide emergency relief assistance during times of financial crisis to current members and
families of the Georgia National Guard and full-time federal or state civilian employees of
the Georgia Department of Defense living in the State of Georgia. Representatives from the
organization attended a membership luncheon to accept the donation and share their
sentiments of gratitude.
GCCA in Service
Immediate Past President, Tracy BeMent, serves on the Judicial Council Standing
Committee on Technology. President, Yolanda L. Lewis, has been elected as the Vice
President of the National Association for Court Management (NACM). Steve Nevels, GCCA
Secretary, serves on the Georgia Commission on Interpreters. Tracy B. Johnson, GCCA Vice
President, was recently appointed as Executive Director of the Office of Dispute Resolution.
In addition to the appointments named, a number of members serve on a multitude of local,
state and national committees.
Georgia Certified Court Manager Program
In spring 2009, the leadership of the Georgia Council of Court Administrators established
its certified Georgia Court Manager program to provide leadership skills, knowledge, and
performance improvement resources to current and emerging court leaders in Georgia.
The Court Administration Certification Program is an opportunity for court professionals to
acquire greater professional credentials and to improve their fulfillment of their obligation
to the public. This exciting program offers various options for all levels of experience and
budget resources. Each certificate can be utilized to earn the next level of certification-a
building block process-that will lead to more opportunities and enriched judicial
environments. 2
~.eorgia QCouncil of QCourt stlbministrators 244 WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 300
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334 [email protected]
GCCA currently has 40 members who hold its basic certification with an additional 46
members holding our master certification for a total of 1/3 of our membership being
certified. In addition, 1/5 of our members also have some form of external certification
such as those from the Institute fur Court Management or Michigan State University. We
currently have thirteen (13) members who hold a Certified Court Management Certificate
and seven (7) members in the state who are active Fellows of the Institute for Court
Management.
Yours in service,
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