Ballotpedia, Ana Maria Martinez

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Ana received her bachelor's in marketing from the University of Georgia and her Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law. She and her husband Mario have two daughters. Ana is originally from Colombia. 

Ana was previously a staff attorney at the DeKalb State Court; an attorney at  Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP; a Spanish instructor at Georgia State University; a claims representative for Progressive Insurance; and a marketing specialist intern for Marathon Oil Company.

Ana Maria Martinez is currently a State Court Judge in DeKalb County. She was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp in 2022 and is serving her first term. 

Women’s History Month: First Latina State Court judge wants more representation

Serves as a state court judge since 2022.

Runs the only Spanish-speaking DUI (driving under the influence) court in the state.

Worked as a staff attorney in DeKalb state court for eight years.

Experienced in consumer warranty law; premises, professional, and product liability; general personal injury defense; and employment law.

Has a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law.

- Serves as a state court judge since 2022.
- Runs the only Spanish-speaking DUI (driving under the influence) court in the state.
- Worked as a staff attorney in DeKalb state court for eight years.
- Experienced in consumer warranty law; premises, professional, and product liability; general personal injury defense; and employment law.
- Has a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law.

Legal Experience

As of April 23, 2024, Ana Maria Martinez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Said, “Justice is a function of perception, and when defendants go into a courtroom they want to know that whoever is listening to them understands where they’re coming from.”

- Said, “Justice is a function of perception, and when defendants go into a courtroom they want to know that whoever is listening to them understands where they’re coming from.”

Judicial Philosophy

Georgia Courts Journal, Judge Ana Maria Martinez: Continuing Her Family Legacy, Supporting the Latin Community, and Serving the Public in So Many Ways

Hopes to eliminate the pandemic backlog in criminal cases.

- Hopes to eliminate the pandemic backlog in criminal cases.

Judicial Administration

Co-founder of the Georgia Latino Law Foundation, an organization created in 2015 to increase Latino diversity in the legal profession.

Has served on the boards of the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association, the Multi-Bar Leadership Council, Judge Clarence Cooper American Inn of Court, and the DeKalb Bar Association.

- Co-founder of the Georgia Latino Law Foundation, an organization created in 2015 to increase Latino diversity in the legal profession.
- Has served on the boards of the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association, the Multi-Bar Leadership Council, Judge Clarence Cooper American Inn of Court, and the DeKalb Bar Association.

Community Involvement

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Ana Maria Martinez

Ana is originally from Colombia. She received her bachelor's in marketing from the University of Georgia and her juris doctor from Georgia State University College of Law. She and her husband mario have two daughters. 

Ana was previously a staff attorney at the Dekalb State Court, an attorney at  Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP, a spanish instructor at Georgia State University, a claims representative for Progressive Insurance, and a marketing specialist intern for Marathon Oil Company.

Ana Maria Martinez is currently a State Court Judge in DeKalb County. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. 

Her litigation experience includes consumer warranty law, premises liability, professional liability, products liability, general personal injury defense, and employment law.

Runs the only Spanish-speaking DUI court in the state.

- Her litigation experience includes consumer warranty law, premises liability, professional liability, products liability, general personal injury defense, and employment law.
- Runs the only Spanish-speaking DUI court in the state.

Plans to eliminate the pandemic backlog in criminal cases.

- Plans to eliminate the pandemic backlog in criminal 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. 
