STATE COURT JUDGE CANDIDATE PROFILE: Steve Yekel

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Judge Yekel attended Gordon Military College and Auburn University and received his law degree from Atlanta Law School.

Judge Yekel has served as Chief Conflict Defender for Southeast Georgia and as a supervising attorney for the Ogeechee, Atlantic, and Brunswick Circuit. He was an assistant district attorney in Savannah and operated a private practice for 25 years. He also has experience as a police officer.

Stephen Yekel is a State Court Judge in Effingham County. He was appointed in 2022.

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

- 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. 
