STATE COURT JUDGE CANDIDATE PROFILE: Steve Yekel

Facebook

Ballot Pedia

As State Court Judge, he handles misdemeanors whose penalties range from serving one day to 12 months in jail and fines of up to $1,000.

While owning his own private practice, he handled civil, criminal, divorce, and child custody cases. He tried over 500 cases, including 50 murder trials and two death penalty cases.

Served as judge pro tempore for Chatham County Recorder’s Court (1993-2005) and Chatham County Juvenile Court (2000-2005).

Served as a special agent for Georgia’s Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and an investigator the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.

Said, "I was the first assistant DA that ever prosecuted a a death penalty case."

- As State Court Judge, he handles misdemeanors whose penalties range from serving one day to 12 months in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
- While owning his own private practice, he handled civil, criminal, divorce, and child custody cases. He tried over 500 cases, including 50 murder trials and two death penalty cases.
- Served as judge pro tempore for Chatham County Recorder’s Court (1993-2005) and Chatham County Juvenile Court (2000-2005).
- Served as a special agent for Georgia’s Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Unit and an investigator the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
- Said, "I was the first assistant DA that ever prosecuted a a death penalty case."

Legal Experience

Said, "Throughout my service, I've upheld the principles of dignity, respect, and impartiality, treating all individuals, whether represented by legal counsel or not, with fairness and equality."

- Said, "Throughout my service, I've upheld the principles of dignity, respect, and impartiality, treating all individuals, whether represented by legal counsel or not, with fairness and equality."

Ethics & Conduct

Said, "Since I’ve seen all aspects of this, I am the most qualified. I was a police officer, so I’ve arrested people. I was a prosecutor, so I’ve prosecuted people. I was a defense attorney, so I’ve defended people."

- Said, "Since I’ve seen all aspects of this, I am the most qualified. I was a police officer, so I’ve arrested people. I was a prosecutor, so I’ve prosecuted people. I was a defense attorney, so I’ve defended people."

Judicial Philosophy

Has scheduled pending Civil cases as status conferences to determine necessity of trials in order to eliminate backlog.

Wants to collect more than $200,000 in State Court fines that resulted from suspended sentences.

Implemented a new policy in Domestic Violence which requires that the victim be informed of all court appearances and consulted with any disposition in the case.

Implemented a program for any speeding violation that is 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit that will require the defendant to complete 40 hours of community service, a Defensive Driving program, and a Traffic Violators Impact Program.

- Has scheduled pending Civil cases as status conferences to determine necessity of trials in order to eliminate backlog.
- Wants to collect more than $200,000 in State Court fines that resulted from suspended sentences.
- Implemented a new policy in Domestic Violence which requires that the victim be informed of all court appearances and consulted with any disposition in the case.
- Implemented a program for any speeding violation that is 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit that will require the defendant to complete 40 hours of community service, a Defensive Driving program, and a Traffic Violators Impact Program.

Judicial Administration

Was a member of the Cobb County Fugitive Squad and a statewide Juvenile Apprehension Unit.

- Was a member of the Cobb County Fugitive Squad and a statewide Juvenile Apprehension Unit.

Community Involvement

Stephen (Steve) R. Yekel

Judge Melissa M. Calhoun

Melissa Calhoun Qualifies for Effingham County State Court Judge

Has been admitted to practice law in Illinois, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Iowa, Georgia, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

As a partner at the law firm of Daly, Bowen, & Calhoun, she handled personal injury cases and Department of Family and Children Services cases.

As a partner at Braud Westensee, she practiced civil and criminal litigation.

- Has been admitted to practice law in Illinois, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Iowa, Georgia, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.
- As a partner at the law firm of Daly, Bowen, & Calhoun, she handled personal injury cases and Department of Family and Children Services cases.
- As a partner at Braud Westensee, she practiced civil and criminal litigation.

Said, "I had a couple people...say...the system is racist. And I would challenge people about it. Are you calling me racist? Because I respect you and I expect the same...I don’t think there was anybody that I treated differently."

- Said, "I had a couple people...say...the system is racist. And I would challenge people about it. Are you calling me racist? Because I respect you and I expect the same...I don’t think there was anybody that I treated differently."

Has concerns about the privatization of probation and said, "I think it needs to be revisited to see if privatized probation is really doing what we want it to do and if it’s a better alternative to having the county having them have the probation officers."

Said, "As a judge, we’re supposed to be independent. We’re not supposed to be influenced by what term is coming up or try and influence voters and look good in that respect. The law remains the law."

Believes the state court judge and state court solicitor should be autonomous and said, "The solicitor needs to be able to do their job and nothing else to that should be dictated by the judge."

- Has concerns about the privatization of probation and said, "I think it needs to be revisited to see if privatized probation is really doing what we want it to do and if it’s a better alternative to having the county having them have the probation officers."
- Said, "As a judge, we’re supposed to be independent. We’re not supposed to be influenced by what term is coming up or try and influence voters and look good in that respect. The law remains the law."
- Believes the state court judge and state court solicitor should be autonomous and said, "The solicitor needs to be able to do their job and nothing else to that should be dictated by the judge."

Wants to increase pre-trial diversion programs and said, "One of the biggest benefits [is] decreasing repeat offenders."

Wants to create a Family Violence Court program to address underlying issues that cause domestic violence.

Wants to establish connections between the juvenile court and the state court and create a truancy program.

- Wants to increase pre-trial diversion programs and said, "One of the biggest benefits [is] decreasing repeat offenders."
- Wants to create a Family Violence Court program to address underlying issues that cause domestic violence.
- Wants to establish connections between the juvenile court and the state court and create a truancy program.

As of June 8, 2024, Melissa M. Calhoun did not have a website or any information online.

Melissa M. Calhoun

- 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. 
