Georgia Superior Court Judge Runoff, Southern
Trial Judge over a wide range of civil and criminal cases
Full office description
- Georgia Superior Court Judges hear a wide range of criminal cases from petty theft and public drunkenness to murder. Some cases in front of the Georgia Superior Court involve the death penalty.
- On the civil side, Superior Court Judges hear cases on divorce, titles to land, contract disputes, and premises liability.
- Superior Court Judges are elected by judicial circuit. Each county surrounding Atlanta has its own judicial circuit, while rural judicial districts typically consist of multiple counties.
- Superior Court Judges are elected to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. The Governor can appoint Superior Court Judges when vacancies arise.
How this impacts you
Public Safety — Superior court judges make decisions on bail for individuals formally accused of a crime by a prosecutor. This means a superior court judge could allow a dangerous person back on the streets before they are convicted of a crime.
Criminal Justice — Since they make decisions on bail, a superior court judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting bail too high.
Property Rights — Superior court judges can decide how to distribute a person’s property in a divorce, contract, or land dispute.
This is a runoff election for Superior Court Judge. To see the original election, click here.
Election results
WINNER
Catherine Mims Smith
55.28%
7,421 votes
William Long Whitesell
44.72%
6,003 votes