Franklin County Citizen

Ballot Pedia

Crystal resides in Sandy Cross with her husband. She graduated from the University of Georgia.

Crystal has worked with inmates at the Whitworth Women's Facility for three years. 

Crystal Buffington Nelms' campaign for Chief Magistrate is her first entry into politics.

As of April 23, 2024, Crystal Buffington Nelms did not have a website or any information online.

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Wants to enhance the court system proceedings to improve the time in which cases are handled.

Would like to implement programs for underserved communities in order to expand court access.

- Wants to enhance the court system proceedings to improve the time in which cases are handled.
- Would like to implement programs for underserved communities in order to expand court access.

Judicial Administration

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Crystal Buffington Nelms

Crystal Nelms resides in Sandy Cross with her husband. 

Crystal Nelms graduated from the University of Georgia and has worked with inmates at the Whitworth Women's Facility for three years. 

As of May 16, 2024, Crystal Buffington Nelms did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

As of April 23, 2024, Crystal Buffington Nelms did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Crystal's father, David Buffington, served as Chief Magistrate for 12 years when she was a child. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in general business and also has an associate’s degree from Athens Technical College.

Crystal Nelms worked in Carnesville for more than a decade and has three years of experience at Whitworth Women’s Facility working directly with inmates.



This election is Crystal's first entry into politics. 

Said “If elected, I will always be fair and honest."

- Said “If elected, I will always be fair and honest."

Said "the number one challenge for the office is managing heavy caseloads efficiently while ensuring fair and timely resolutions for all parties involved."

Crystal said that it is important to be “available during all work hours, after work hours, and weekends ensuring all caseloads are handled appropriately.”

Wants to enhance the efficiency of the court proceedings to reduce case backlog and ensure timely resolution of cases.

Wants to imrove access to justice by implementing programs or services to assist self-represented litigants and underserved communities.

Wants to implement technology solutions to streamline court operations, increase transparency, and improve access to court services for both litigants and legal professionals.

- Said "the number one challenge for the office is managing heavy caseloads efficiently while ensuring fair and timely resolutions for all parties involved."
- Crystal said that it is important to be “available during all work hours, after work hours, and weekends ensuring all caseloads are handled appropriately.”
- Wants to enhance the efficiency of the court proceedings to reduce case backlog and ensure timely resolution of cases.
- Wants to imrove access to justice by implementing programs or services to assist self-represented litigants and underserved communities.
- Wants to implement technology solutions to streamline court operations, increase transparency, and improve access to court services for both litigants and legal professionals.

Wants to strengthen community engagements to address local legal needs and promote public trust and confidence in the judicial system.

- Wants to strengthen community engagements to address local legal needs and promote public trust and confidence in the judicial system.

- 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. 