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Pick of fifth Alcovy circuit judge close
Published August 26, 2009
While currently working with a temporary judge, a deadline has been set for the appointment of the fifth judge for the Alcovy Judicial Circuit.
Last week the Judicial Nominating Commission set a deadline of Sept. 8 for potential nominations. Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle), who represents the two counties — Walton and Newton — who make up the Alcovy Judicial Circuit, has indicated he has a name in mind and will submit his nomination “in the coming days.”
The Alcovy circuit, one of the busiest in the state, was supposed to have a much-needed fifth judge added by July 1. The process was delayed as Gov. Sonny Perdue sought to fill a vacant position on the Georgia Supreme Court over the summer, with Alcovy Superior Court Judge Samuel Ozburn a nominee for the position.
While the process was delayed, a caseload and calendar were still in place for a fifth judge, temporarily filled by retired Superior Court Judge Marvin Sorrells. He has said he will step down once the governor makes his appointment.
Following the nomination deadline, a questionnaire is mailed out that must be completed by Sept. 28. Interviews will follow on Oct. 13, from which the commission must finalize a list of five nominees for the governor. There is no formal deadline for Perdue to make his decision.
“The addition of the fifth judge will speed the processing of cases by reducing the number of cases assigned to each assistant district attorney,” District Attorney Ken Wynne said. “This is contingent, however, on the county’s ability to pay for personnel for this office as well as the public defender’s office to staff the fifth judge’s courtroom. I believe that at least part of this cost will be offset by reducing the time it takes for jail cases to be disposed of, thereby reducing the cost of housing inmates locally. While the state will provide one assistant district attorney and one assistant public defender, we operate in a two-county circuit. That means both Newton and Walton counties will have to share the cost of providing personnel to staff the courtroom in one county or the other. Sharing the cost is the most equitable way to proceed.”
Candidates need be only 30 years old, have been a citizen of the state for the past three years and have practiced law for at least seven. Douglas said the judge will probably be from Newton County, as the fourth judge added to the circuit was Judge Eugene Benton from Walton County. The state senator pointed out the governor is not bound by that precedence, though.
The addition of a fifth judge has again pushed off discussion of splitting the district.
“It may be split some time down the road, but it is not imminent because of the fifth judge,” Douglas said. “This takes care of it for the time being.”
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