Ramona was born and raised in Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Berea College, a Master of Business Administration from Alabama A&M University, and her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law. Toole is a resident of the City of Snellville.

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Ramona currently serves as a Deputy District Attorney (DA) in the Fulton County DA's office. Previously, she worked as an Assistant DA in the Gwinnett County DA's office, a Senior Assistant DA in the Fulton County DA's office, and an Assistant Solicitor at the City of Atlanta Traffic Court.

Ballot Pedia

Ramona Toole's campaign for State Court Judge in Gwinnett County is her first entry into politics.

RAMONA TOOLE

Lists her skills as legal research, trial preparation, and customer service.

While in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, Toole conducted over 500 hearings and over 1000 witness interviews as the top Senior Trial Attorney in the Complex Trial Division.

As an Assistant District Attorney (DA) in the Fulton County DA's office, Toole worked as a member of the child support unit, helping custodial parents receive relief to take care of their family.

As a trial lawyer in the Fulton County DA's office, Toole managed a large caseload and supervised and trained law school Interns.

As an Assistant DA in the Gwinnett County DA's office, Toole litigated in trials dealing with a wide variety of issues, including traffic offenses, armed robbery, aggravated assault, vehicular homicides, murder, and illegal manufacture and distribution of controlled substances.

As the Deputy DA of the Fulton County DA's office Records, Diversion and Record Restriction Unit, Toole is responsible for helping provide convicted felons a second chance through sentencing reductions and adult diversion programs that help individuals avoid spending time in jail.

As a Deputy DA in the Fulton County DA's office, Toole supervises at least ten support staff and two Attorneys.

- Lists her skills as legal research, trial preparation, and customer service.
- While in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, Toole conducted over 500 hearings and over 1000 witness interviews as the top Senior Trial Attorney in the Complex Trial Division.
- As an Assistant District Attorney (DA) in the Fulton County DA's office, Toole worked as a member of the child support unit, helping custodial parents receive relief to take care of their family.
- As a trial lawyer in the Fulton County DA's office, Toole managed a large caseload and supervised and trained law school Interns.
- As an Assistant DA in the Gwinnett County DA's office, Toole litigated in trials dealing with a wide variety of issues, including traffic offenses, armed robbery, aggravated assault, vehicular homicides, murder, and illegal manufacture and distribution of controlled substances.
- As the Deputy DA of the Fulton County DA's office Records, Diversion and Record Restriction Unit, Toole is responsible for helping provide convicted felons a second chance through sentencing reductions and adult diversion programs that help individuals avoid spending time in jail.
- As a Deputy DA in the Fulton County DA's office, Toole supervises at least ten support staff and two Attorneys.

Legal Experience

‘I Think It’s My Time’: Gwinnett County Judicial Candidate Says She’ll Move Cases, Back Mental Health Court

Promises to treat all individuals in court with respect and kindness as a Judge.

- Promises to treat all individuals in court with respect and kindness as a Judge.

Ethics & Conduct

The candidate's website states, "At the forefront of Ramona’s work is an appreciation of how every decision made impacts a person’s life and livelihood."

Values due diligence and emphasizes the need to ensure that decisions rendered are fully informed and fair.

- The candidate's website states, "At the forefront of Ramona’s work is an appreciation of how every decision made impacts a person’s life and livelihood."
- Values due diligence and emphasizes the need to ensure that decisions rendered are fully informed and fair.

Judicial Philosophy

Plans to address case backlog from Covid-19 by moving cases through efficient scheduling and backing efforts to help establish a mental health court for defendants in state court that will take those cases off the regular docket.

Promises to keep yearlong motion, hearing and calendars so attorneys can plan their schedules and avoid confusion about when cases will be heard.

- Plans to address case backlog from Covid-19 by moving cases through efficient scheduling and backing efforts to help establish a mental health court for defendants in state court that will take those cases off the regular docket.
- Promises to keep yearlong motion, hearing and calendars so attorneys can plan their schedules and avoid confusion about when cases will be heard.

Judicial Administration

Toole is a Panel member of the Citizen Review Board.

Has been a leader of various community youth activities such as Teen Unity Night, Justice for All, and multiple Back to School Festivals.

Is an active member of the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

Is a member of the Gwinnett County Bar, the Gwinnett County Chapter of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyer, the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorney, and the National Black Prosecutors Association.

- Toole is a Panel member of the Citizen Review Board.
- Has been a leader of various community youth activities such as Teen Unity Night, Justice for All, and multiple Back to School Festivals.
- Is an active member of the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
- Is a member of the Gwinnett County Bar, the Gwinnett County Chapter of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyer, the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorney, and the National Black Prosecutors Association.

Community Involvement

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Ramona Toole Sakhanokho

Trellis, Judge Shawn F. Bratton

Shawn was born and raised in Gwinnett County. He earned his bachelor's degree in German from the University of Georgia and his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. Following law school, Bratton served as a law clerk on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Shawn most recently served as a Magistrate Court Judge in Gwinnett County. Previously, he worked as a civil litigator in private practice, a solicitor for the Gwinnett County Solicitor's Office, and an assistant district attorney (DA) for the Walton County DA's Office. Before his time as an attorney, he served as a Nuclear Missile Technician in the U.S. Navy.

Shawn Bratton is a State Court Judge in Gwinnett County. The governor first appointed him to the position in 2014, and he is serving his third term. 

In private practice as a civil litigator, Bratton tried cases dealing with a variety of issues, including personal injury, corporate and business litigation, banking law, domestic law, and criminal defense cases.

As a prosecutor for Walton County, Bratton prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases.

As a part-time Magistrate Court Judge, Bratton handled motions and hearings that had to occur before civil and criminal cases could go forward.

- In private practice as a civil litigator, Bratton tried cases dealing with a variety of issues, including personal injury, corporate and business litigation, banking law, domestic law, and criminal defense cases.
- As a prosecutor for Walton County, Bratton prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases.
- As a part-time Magistrate Court Judge, Bratton handled motions and hearings that had to occur before civil and criminal cases could go forward.

As of April 23, 2024, Shawn Bratton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Gwinnett Daily Post, Gwinnett's Judicial Candidates 

Said, "My philosophy on sentencing is to look to the most minimally invasive sentence that will result in this person’s never engaging in that behavior again. Sometimes it is a jail sentence, but more often that not it is a term of probation with varying assignments by way of classes, community service and drug or alcohol testing."

Approaches cases with the goal of reducing the rates of recidivism (re-conviction).

- Said, "My philosophy on sentencing is to look to the most minimally invasive sentence that will result in this person’s never engaging in that behavior again. Sometimes it is a jail sentence, but more often that not it is a term of probation with varying assignments by way of classes, community service and drug or alcohol testing."
- Approaches cases with the goal of reducing the rates of recidivism (re-conviction).

Shawn Fitzpatrick Bratton

Founding member of the Rotary Club of Gwinnett Mosaic.

Member of the Georgia Council of Accountability Court Judges,  Gwinnett County Budget Judge, Gwinnett County DUI Treatment Court, the Council State Court Judges, Gwinnett County Bar Association.

Member of the Gwinnett County Schools’ Superintendent Business Leaders Council and the Suwanee Elementary School Council.

- Founding member of the Rotary Club of Gwinnett Mosaic.
- Member of the Georgia Council of Accountability Court Judges,  Gwinnett County Budget Judge, Gwinnett County DUI Treatment Court, the Council State Court Judges, Gwinnett County Bar Association.
- Member of the Gwinnett County Schools’ Superintendent Business Leaders Council and the Suwanee Elementary School Council.

Shawn Bratton

- 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. 


Gwinnett State Court Judge

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Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Community Involvement