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Kathy Brown Valencia

First woman magistrate for Fayette, Kathy Valencia, appointed

As the current Chief Magistrate for Fayette County, Kathy distributes cases to magistrates across the county, and decides disputes between them.

As a private attorney, Kathy addressed issues like acquisition, landlord-tenant issues, contracts, tax appeals, zoning, and subcontractor agreements.

- As the current Chief Magistrate for Fayette County, Kathy distributes cases to magistrates across the county, and decides disputes between them.
- As a private attorney, Kathy addressed issues like acquisition, landlord-tenant issues, contracts, tax appeals, zoning, and subcontractor agreements.

Legal Experience

As of March 19, 2024, Kathy Brown Valencia did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Believes that the Covid-19 pandemic caused judicial inefficiencies in her court, that "a new judge would be hopelessly lost", and that her work on the Covid Task Force makes her prepared to address these inefficiencies.

Promises to focus only on the needs of Fayette County, and not be distracted by running a law office like Pshe claims her opponents will.

Promises to remain impartial and run a "respectful courtroom".

Said,  "I want our county to prosper and remain safe. I have not hesitated to be tough on violent criminals and repeat offenders... the message must be clear that crime will not be tolerated here".

- Believes that the Covid-19 pandemic caused judicial inefficiencies in her court, that "a new judge would be hopelessly lost", and that her work on the Covid Task Force makes her prepared to address these inefficiencies.
- Promises to focus only on the needs of Fayette County, and not be distracted by running a law office like Pshe claims her opponents will.
- Promises to remain impartial and run a "respectful courtroom".
- Said,  "I want our county to prosper and remain safe. I have not hesitated to be tough on violent criminals and repeat offenders... the message must be clear that crime will not be tolerated here".

Judicial Administration

Community Involvement

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- Magistrate Courts hear civil cases only in amounts less than $15,000. There are no jury trials in Magistrate Court. 
- Magistrate Courts hear landlord tenant dispossessory cases (i.e. a case where a landlord is seeking an eviction of their tenant) and can order evictions. 
- The Chief Magistrate can determine procedures for managing the cases in front of the Magistrate. For example, in Fulton County the Chief Magistrate informs parties in landlord tenant dispossessory cases on the benefits of mediation and provides on-site mediators to resolve landlord tenant disputes before the parties appear in front of the judge. 
- Magistrate Courts only have jurisdiction over their respective counties. Each county has its own magistrate court. Magistrate Court Judge term lengths vary per county, however most serve four year terms. Local Superior Court Judges set parameters for Magistrate Courts. 