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Hall County, Judge Breakfield

AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Judicial Questionnaire

As Hall County Judge, he oversees non-equity civil matters and criminal misdemeanors cases. He has presided in over 65 jury trials and was responsible for over 25,000 cases.

At  Breakfield & Associates, he managed civil and criminal matters for individuals and small businesses.

As a Lawyer at Breakfield & Dean, LLC, he worked primarily in personal injury and various types of civil ligation and criminal defense cases.

As an Adjunct Professor, he taught those in the legal profession how to use computers.

Has taught classes regarding Georgia Personal Injury Practice for Paralegals, Half Moon Seminars, and Mock Trial.

- As Hall County Judge, he oversees non-equity civil matters and criminal misdemeanors cases. He has presided in over 65 jury trials and was responsible for over 25,000 cases.
- At  Breakfield & Associates, he managed civil and criminal matters for individuals and small businesses.
- As a Lawyer at Breakfield & Dean, LLC, he worked primarily in personal injury and various types of civil ligation and criminal defense cases.
- As an Adjunct Professor, he taught those in the legal profession how to use computers.
- Has taught classes regarding Georgia Personal Injury Practice for Paralegals, Half Moon Seminars, and Mock Trial.

Legal Experience

Said, "I strongly believe that as a judge, I should listen to each side, follow the law, and treat everyone fairly and with respect."

- Said, "I strongly believe that as a judge, I should listen to each side, follow the law, and treat everyone fairly and with respect."

Ethics & Conduct

Has added more cases to court dates and added more court dates to the calendar.

Said, "During my tenure we have delivered on our promises of following the law, being a wise steward of taxpayer money, and fairly and efficiently administering justice."

Regarding backlog during the pandemic, he said, "We utilized technology to ensure we kept the docket moving. We operated under the appropriate guidelines and held court."

Supports open courts and streaming proceedings for the public to view.

- Has added more cases to court dates and added more court dates to the calendar.
- Said, "During my tenure we have delivered on our promises of following the law, being a wise steward of taxpayer money, and fairly and efficiently administering justice."
- Regarding backlog during the pandemic, he said, "We utilized technology to ensure we kept the docket moving. We operated under the appropriate guidelines and held court."
- Supports open courts and streaming proceedings for the public to view.

Judicial Administration

Said "Transparency and trust are essential to ensuring the fair and efficient administration of justice."

Said, "Justice delayed is justice denied for all involved."

Wants to remain a neutral arbitrator of the law by "uphold[ing] the law as written and follow[ing] the Constitution."

Believes that public access to public records is currently sufficient.

- Said "Transparency and trust are essential to ensuring the fair and efficient administration of justice."
- Said, "Justice delayed is justice denied for all involved."
- Wants to remain a neutral arbitrator of the law by "uphold[ing] the law as written and follow[ing] the Constitution."
- Believes that public access to public records is currently sufficient.

Judicial Philosophy

Member of the American Bar Association, Gainesville Bar Association, and the Chattahoochee Inn of Court.

Was involved with the Georgia State Judicial Nominating Commission, the Georgia State Properties Commission, and the Georgia Public Building Authority.

Serves as a Board Member for Safe Kids Gainesville Hall County and volunteers with the Boys & Girls Club.

- Member of the American Bar Association, Gainesville Bar Association, and the Chattahoochee Inn of Court.
- Was involved with the Georgia State Judicial Nominating Commission, the Georgia State Properties Commission, and the Georgia Public Building Authority.
- Serves as a Board Member for Safe Kids Gainesville Hall County and volunteers with the Boys & Girls Club.

Community Involvement

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John G. Breakfield

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "16 YEARS PRIVATE PRACTICE ATTORNEY"

Believes extensive legal experience and a 13-year career honing judicial skills make them the best candidate for Superior Court Judge in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit.

Believes in the value of extensive legal experience, highlighting a career beginning in 2003 with a focus on prosecuting misdemeanors, domestic violence, and DUI cases, culminating as Chief Trial Assistant and Lead Prosecutor in Judge Roberts' courtroom.

The candidate's website says, "Judge Hall was appointed to the bench in Flowery Branch Municipal Court on April 1, 2010, where she served as the sole Judge until December 2021... the Council of Municipal Court Judges selected Judge Hall to teach training sessions for Municipal Court Judges across the State of Georgia..."

The candidate's website says, "11 YEARS MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE"

The candidate's website says, "4 YEARS MAGISTRATE COURT JUDGE"

The candidate's website says, "Experience matters... Choose a judge with that experience and a proven track record by voting for Michelle Hall for Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge."

Believes in comprehensive legal experience, including a Georgia-based education, a career starting in prosecution, specializing in DUI and domestic violence cases, and serving as a judge in various courts with a focus on family and criminal law matters.

Believes in diverse legal experience; practiced criminal, family law, and civil cases, served as Special Master, and represented children in court for sixteen years after managing a Gainesville firm's office and starting a private practice in 2005.

Believes in a robust legal career, serving as a judge in Flowery Branch and Hall County, handling criminal, civil, and family law cases, and ascending to a full-time magistrate role in 2022.

- Believes in comprehensive legal experience, including a Georgia-based education, a career starting in prosecution, specializing in DUI and domestic violence cases, and serving as a judge in various courts with a focus on family and criminal law matters.
- Believes in diverse legal experience; practiced criminal, family law, and civil cases, served as Special Master, and represented children in court for sixteen years after managing a Gainesville firm's office and starting a private practice in 2005.
- Believes in a robust legal career, serving as a judge in Flowery Branch and Hall County, handling criminal, civil, and family law cases, and ascending to a full-time magistrate role in 2022.

Supports transparency in political funding, mandating disclosure of donors giving over $100, and caps contributions at $3,300 for primaries and $1,800 for runoffs, emphasizing non-deductibility for taxes.

- Supports transparency in political funding, mandating disclosure of donors giving over $100, and caps contributions at $3,300 for primaries and $1,800 for runoffs, emphasizing non-deductibility for taxes.

Has presided over a domestic calendar in Hall County Superior Court and said, "I am really proud that the Superior Court Judges trust me to handle these calendars so our Courts can run more efficiently!

Said, "I am happy to be able to help the Superior Court Judges by presiding over some matters because the Courts are so busy and I am proud that they trust me to do the job!"

- Has presided over a domestic calendar in Hall County Superior Court and said, "I am really proud that the Superior Court Judges trust me to handle these calendars so our Courts can run more efficiently!
- Said, "I am happy to be able to help the Superior Court Judges by presiding over some matters because the Courts are so busy and I am proud that they trust me to do the job!"

Said, "I am proud to have been a party host...to support victims of domestic violence in our community!

Said, "When I represented children in Juvenile Court who were faced with teenage pregnancy, I watched those young mothers gain knowledge and confidence in how to be a great mother, while also earning the ability to provide for their baby's needs. Now, there are lots of sweet little miracles living their best lives because of the support their mothers received."

Said, "Literacy is so important and we should do everything we can to foster a love of reading in our children!"

- Said, "I am proud to have been a party host...to support victims of domestic violence in our community!
- Said, "When I represented children in Juvenile Court who were faced with teenage pregnancy, I watched those young mothers gain knowledge and confidence in how to be a great mother, while also earning the ability to provide for their baby's needs. Now, there are lots of sweet little miracles living their best lives because of the support their mothers received."
- Said, "Literacy is so important and we should do everything we can to foster a love of reading in our children!"

Said, "Donations are always great but they are not the only way that you can help our campaign to get Michelle Hall elected as our next Superior Court Judge."

Believes in community engagement through volunteer work, serving on boards, and participating in local organizations like Kiwanis Club, YMCA, and the Gainesville Bar Association to enhance the quality of life in Hall County, GA.

Believes in community engagement through volunteer work, serving on boards, and participating in local organizations like Kiwanis Club, YMCA, and the Gainesville Bar Association.

- Believes in community engagement through volunteer work, serving on boards, and participating in local organizations like Kiwanis Club, YMCA, and the Gainesville Bar Association.

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Michelle Hall

- Georgia Superior Court Judges hear a wide range of criminal cases from petty theft and public drunkenness to murder. Some cases in front of the Georgia Superior Court involve the death penalty. 
- On the civil side, Superior Court Judges hear cases on divorce, titles to land, contract disputes, and premises liability. 
- Superior Court Judges are elected by judicial circuit. Each county surrounding Atlanta has its own judicial circuit, while rural judicial districts typically consist of multiple counties.
- Superior Court Judges are elected to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. The Governor can appoint Superior Court Judges when vacancies arise. 