Floyd Chief Magistrate seeking re-election

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Chief Magistrate Judge Gene Richardson qualifies for third term

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Said that the Magistrate Court tries roughly 14,000 civil and criminal cases a year.

Member of the State Bar of Georgia, Rome Bar Association, and Georgia State University Alumni Association.

Served on the Federal Qualifications Committee and the Rules Committee for the Council of Magistrate Courts.

- Said that the Magistrate Court tries roughly 14,000 civil and criminal cases a year.
- Member of the State Bar of Georgia, Rome Bar Association, and Georgia State University Alumni Association.
- Served on the Federal Qualifications Committee and the Rules Committee for the Council of Magistrate Courts.

Legal Experience

Said, "I am fair and I'm impartial and I understand the law and how it applies to the facts of each case."

Said, "I'd never make a decision until I hear all the evidence. You have to keep an open mind to both sides...only then are you able to think of a fair and impartial ruling."

- Said, "I am fair and I'm impartial and I understand the law and how it applies to the facts of each case."
- Said, "I'd never make a decision until I hear all the evidence. You have to keep an open mind to both sides...only then are you able to think of a fair and impartial ruling."

Ethics & Conduct

Manages a budget of over $600,000 annually and oversees 8 staff members.

Says he has been at or under budget every year.

Said that none of the cases he has tried have ever been overturned.

Said, "Every effort has been made to make the court more professional, efficient and effective by eliminating unnecessary paperwork and hearings while at the same time creating broader public access. The goal is to make the court user friendly for the people of this community and to always be responsive to their needs."

- Manages a budget of over $600,000 annually and oversees 8 staff members.
- Says he has been at or under budget every year.
- Said that none of the cases he has tried have ever been overturned.
- Said, "Every effort has been made to make the court more professional, efficient and effective by eliminating unnecessary paperwork and hearings while at the same time creating broader public access. The goal is to make the court user friendly for the people of this community and to always be responsive to their needs."

Judicial Administration

Member of the Rome Exchange Club, Family Resource Center, Coosa Valley Fair Association, and the Rome Area Heritage Foundation.

Served on local boards including Rome Little Theatre, Rome Area Council for the Arts, Cerebral Palsy Center, Cave Spring Ruritan Club, Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful, and St. Mary’s School Board.

- Member of the Rome Exchange Club, Family Resource Center, Coosa Valley Fair Association, and the Rome Area Heritage Foundation.
- Served on local boards including Rome Little Theatre, Rome Area Council for the Arts, Cerebral Palsy Center, Cave Spring Ruritan Club, Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful, and St. Mary’s School Board.

Community Involvement

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W. Gene Richardson

- 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. 