Facebook

Michelle attended Sequoyah High School. She currently lives in Cherokee County with her three children. 

Michelle was a public defender for 4 years in Fulton County, and she was a prosecutor for 5 years. She also was an Assistant Solicitor in Cherokee County.

Michelle Leigh Helhoski is currently a State Court Judge in Cherokee County. She has been a judge for 12 years. 

Created a Mental Health Court in Cherokee County.

- As a judge, presided over 10,000 cases.
- Created a Mental Health Court in Cherokee County.

Legal Experience

As of March 19, 2024, Michelle Leigh Helhoski did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Wants to "hold every Defendant accountable with...with extensive treatment and testing, including daily drug tests."

Said, "[I am] an independent and authentic judge who decides every case on its individual facts."

Said, "A vote for me is a vote to make sure that all parts of the Constitution are upheld, not just conservative...Constitutional principles."

Said, "Jail is not always the best place for someone with mental health issues."

- Wants to "hold every Defendant accountable with...with extensive treatment and testing, including daily drug tests."
- Said, "[I am] an independent and authentic judge who decides every case on its individual facts."
- Said, "A vote for me is a vote to make sure that all parts of the Constitution are upheld, not just conservative...Constitutional principles."
- Said, "Jail is not always the best place for someone with mental health issues."

Judicial Philosophy

Has an open-door policy and accessibility, emphasizing ease of access including availability of staff at night and on weekends. 

- Has an open-door policy and accessibility, emphasizing ease of access including availability of staff at night and on weekends. 

Judicial Administration

As of March 19, 2024, Michelle Leigh Helhoski did not have a website.

Community Involvement

Michelle Leigh Helhoski

Michelle attended Sequoyah High School. She currently lives in Cherokee county with her three children. 

As a judge, Michelle Leigh Helhoski has presided over 10,000 cases.

Created a Mental Health Court in Cherokee County

- As a judge, Michelle Leigh Helhoski has presided over 10,000 cases.
- Created a Mental Health Court in Cherokee County

As of March 19, 2024, Michelle Leigh Helhoski did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Wants to "hold every Defendant accountable with...with extensive treatment and testing, including daily drug tests"

Said, "[I am] an independent and authentic judge who decides every case on its individual facts"

Said, "A vote for me is a vote to make sure that all parts of the Constitution are upheld, not just conservative...Constitutional principles"

Said, "Jail is not always the best place for someone with mental health issues"

- Wants to "hold every Defendant accountable with...with extensive treatment and testing, including daily drug tests"
- Said, "[I am] an independent and authentic judge who decides every case on its individual facts"
- Said, "A vote for me is a vote to make sure that all parts of the Constitution are upheld, not just conservative...Constitutional principles"
- Said, "Jail is not always the best place for someone with mental health issues"

Said..."My staff and I are available and accessible to attorneys at all times. We answer emails at night and on the weekends...My office is basically an open door at all times-electronically and otherwise. If you...need a place to make a phone call, get a cup of coffee, take a few moments to gather your thoughts, my chambers is where you can go. This goes for other court staff as well- deputies, bailiffs,  solicitors office, etc. We strive to be a welcome sight and place in an often stressful place (court)"

- Said..."My staff and I are available and accessible to attorneys at all times. We answer emails at night and on the weekends...My office is basically an open door at all times-electronically and otherwise. If you...need a place to make a phone call, get a cup of coffee, take a few moments to gather your thoughts, my chambers is where you can go. This goes for other court staff as well- deputies, bailiffs,  solicitors office, etc. We strive to be a welcome sight and place in an often stressful place (court)"

As of March 19, 2024, Michelle Leigh Helhoski did not have a website or publicly available contact information in order for us to send them our questionnaire.

Ballotpedia, Michelle Leigh Helhoski (Cherokee County State Court, Georgia, candidate 2024)

Trellis

Michelle is from Cherokee County and graduated from Sequoyah High School. She holds a degree in History, Technology, and Society from Georgia Institute of Technology and a law degree from the University of Georgia. She is married to her husband Tony, with whom they have three children. 

Michelle has experience as a public defender, prosecutor, and defense attorney. She also worked as an assistant solicitor in the Cherokee County Solicitor General's Office. 

Michelle Leigh Helhoski Homier is currently a State Court Judge in Cherokee County. She was elected to this position in 2012, and has served three terms. 

Has presided over 10,000 cases as judge. 

Received Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2003.

- Has presided over 10,000 cases as judge. 
- Received Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2003.

As of March 19, 2024, Michelle Leigh Helhoski Homier did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

He nearly killed his wife after a Ga. judge refused to order him to a mandatory violence intervention program

Said " “Each case I judge individually. I judge it based it on the facts.”

In a 2020 article, 11Alive's investigation team reports they found judge Homier "handing down numerous sentences for defendants which fall below Georgia's state mandated guidelines. That includes a repeat domestic violence abuser and drivers charged with DUI..."

A 2020 article claims Homier has a history of lenient sentencing.

- Said " “Each case I judge individually. I judge it based it on the facts.”
- In a 2020 article, 11Alive's investigation team reports they found judge Homier "handing down numerous sentences for defendants which fall below Georgia's state mandated guidelines. That includes a repeat domestic violence abuser and drivers charged with DUI..."
- A 2020 article claims Homier has a history of lenient sentencing.

Holds memberships with the State Bar of Georgia, the Blue Ridge Circuit Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Association of Professional Women.

- Holds memberships with the State Bar of Georgia, the Blue Ridge Circuit Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Association of Professional Women.

Michelle Leigh Helhoski Homier

Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News, MARGUERITE CLINE: Judge believes in tailor-made justice

Michelle was born and raised in Cherokee County. She atended Sequoyah High School. She received her bachelor's in history, technology, and society from Georgia Institute of Technology and her law degree from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Tony, have three children and they live in Great Sky.

Michelle previously worked at the Cherokee County Solicitors Office and as a public defender at the Atlanta Public Defender's Office.

Michelle Leigh Helhoski is currently a State Court Judge in Cherokee County. She has been a judge since 2012 and is serving her third term. 

As a judge, has presided over 10,000 cases.

At the Cherokee County Solicitors Offic, heard misdemeanors cases including driving under the influence, substance abuse, and underage alcohol possession.

- As a judge, has presided over 10,000 cases.
- At the Cherokee County Solicitors Offic, heard misdemeanors cases including driving under the influence, substance abuse, and underage alcohol possession.

Said, "It is my job as a State Court Judge to determine in a particular case, is just a misdemeanor or are we one step away from a felony?"

- Said, "It is my job as a State Court Judge to determine in a particular case, is just a misdemeanor or are we one step away from a felony?"

Michelle attended Sequoyah High School and attended the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a mother of three. 

Michelle was a public defender for 4 years and a prosecutor for 5 years. 

As a judge, she has presided over 10,000 cases and 80 jury trials.

- As a judge, she has presided over 10,000 cases and 80 jury trials.

Said, "I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all justice."

- Said, "I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all justice."

Said, "I try cases closely where mental health concerns are present."

Requires early treatment in substance abuse cases.

Offers community service options for those unable to pay fines.

- Said, "I try cases closely where mental health concerns are present."
- Requires early treatment in substance abuse cases.
- Offers community service options for those unable to pay fines.

Michelle attended Sequoyah High School. She is a mother of three. 

Michelle was a public defender for 4 years and a proseuctor for 5 years. 

- As a judge, has presided over 10,000 cases.

- Despite their name, State Courts in Georgia have limited jurisdiction within their county. State Court Judges also have limited jurisdiction over the types of cases they hear, as opposed to Superior Court. 
- State Court Judges hear misdemeanors, like traffic tickets. They also issue arrest and search warrants and hold preliminary hearings in some criminal cases. 
- State Court Judges hear most civil matters that aren't related to land titles, divorce, or cases involving non-monetary damages (those matters are handled by the Superior Court).
- State Court Judges are elected in non-partisan county wide elections and serve four year terms. The Governor can appoint State Court Judges when vacancies arise. 
