Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Seery: People want law applied to situations

As a Public Defender, Andy represented criminal defendants who couldn't afford an attorney.

As a Magistrate Judge, Andy issues search and arrest warrants, conducts first appearance hearings, sets bail, and handles small claims cases up to $15,000.

- As a Public Defender, Andy represented criminal defendants who couldn't afford an attorney.
- As a Magistrate Judge, Andy issues search and arrest warrants, conducts first appearance hearings, sets bail, and handles small claims cases up to $15,000.

Legal Experience

As of March 19, 2024, S Andrews "Andy" Seery did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Said, "People who turn to Magistrate Court want a judge who can apply the law to their situation."

- Said, "People who turn to Magistrate Court want a judge who can apply the law to their situation."

Judicial Administration

Believes it is important to give back to the community.

- Believes it is important to give back to the community.

Community Involvement

S Andrews "Andy" Seery

LinkedIn

As of March 19, 2024, Charles "Chuck" McDonald did not have a website or any information online.

Charles "Chuck" McDonald

Candidate website

Facebook

The candidate's website says, "In his 20+ years of private legal practice, Shiner is accustomed to confronting complex legal issues... Shiner is constantly working with numerous clients to accomplish the best possible outcome..."

The candidate's website says, "In his 20+ years of private legal practice, Shiner is accustomed to confronting complex legal issues. Shiner is constantly working with numerous clients to accomplish the best possible outcome..."

As an attorney, Matthew has the "experience of drafting legal documents, interpreting the law, and making legal decisions that affect clients lives on a daily basis."

- The candidate's website says, "In his 20+ years of private legal practice, Shiner is accustomed to confronting complex legal issues. Shiner is constantly working with numerous clients to accomplish the best possible outcome..."
- As an attorney, Matthew has the "experience of drafting legal documents, interpreting the law, and making legal decisions that affect clients lives on a daily basis."

As of March 19, 2024, Matthew T Shiner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "I feel like we need a new, fresh perspective in the Thomas County Magistrate Court... I am so grateful for the opportunity to help strengthen our local legal system... The Magistrate Court is still one of the pillars our community... All of the citizens of Thomas County deserve every ounce of my energy and I promise to give it if elected to the office of Chief Magistrate.”"

Said, "I feel like we need a new, fresh perspective in the Thomas County Magistrate Court...  I want to do my part to ensure that Thomas County, Georgia remains a safe place to live, work, operate a business and raise a family."

- Said, "I feel like we need a new, fresh perspective in the Thomas County Magistrate Court...  I want to do my part to ensure that Thomas County, Georgia remains a safe place to live, work, operate a business and raise a family."

Said, ""Among the many reasons that Thomasville drew us back was my wife’s strong family connection to this area and opportunity to live and work in a safe, vibrant, small community," Shiner shares. "...To get there, we must identify the dysfunction at every level of government and begin forming solutions so we can provide this community with the excellence it deserves.""

Said, "Among the many reasons that Thomasville drew us back was my wife’s strong family connection to this area and opportunity to live and work in a safe, vibrant, small community... we must identify the dysfunction at every level of government and begin forming solutions so we can provide this community with the excellence it deserves."

- Said, "Among the many reasons that Thomasville drew us back was my wife’s strong family connection to this area and opportunity to live and work in a safe, vibrant, small community... we must identify the dysfunction at every level of government and begin forming solutions so we can provide this community with the excellence it deserves."

Matthew T Shiner

- 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. 