Access WDUN, Tripp Wingate announces run for Hall County State Court

Ballotpedia, John Wingate III (Hall County State Court, Georgia, candidate 2024)

Wingate graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/Business Administration and from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University with a Juris Doctorate. He lives with his wife and daughter and they are members of the First Presbyterian of Gainesville.

John "Tripp" Wingate III has 25 years of litigation experience. He also has experience working on his grandparents’ farm, working at a True Value hardware store, driving a vending machine route, and selling men’s clothing.

John "Tripp" Wingate III's campaign for State Court Judge in Hall County is his first entry into politics.

Said, "My legal career and background show that I am qualified, am willing to put in the time to do the work, and have experience with a wide variety of people and problems."

Said, "I have been sitting in the same chair behind the same desk in the same law office on Green Street for the past 24 years."

Served as a law clerk to the Superior Court judges of the Enotah Judicial Circuit.

Joined the law firm of Myers & Stroberg, LLP, in 1999 as an associate and thereafter becoming a partner in 2006.

Holds an AV-Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating, is a member of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Bar Association (President, 2015-2016), is a member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, and is a certified mediator.

- Said, "My legal career and background show that I am qualified, am willing to put in the time to do the work, and have experience with a wide variety of people and problems."
- Said, "I have been sitting in the same chair behind the same desk in the same law office on Green Street for the past 24 years."
- Served as a law clerk to the Superior Court judges of the Enotah Judicial Circuit.
- Joined the law firm of Myers & Stroberg, LLP, in 1999 as an associate and thereafter becoming a partner in 2006.
- Holds an AV-Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating, is a member of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Bar Association (President, 2015-2016), is a member of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, and is a certified mediator.

Legal Experience

Said, "At the end of the day, people should feel that they were provided a fair opportunity to be heard, that they were treated with respect and courtesy, and that they were given a prompt ruling they can understand."

- Said, "At the end of the day, people should feel that they were provided a fair opportunity to be heard, that they were treated with respect and courtesy, and that they were given a prompt ruling they can understand."

Ethics & Conduct

Said, "I will not leave common sense or my years of experience at the front door of the courthouse and will always seek to be prepared for each case being presented."

Refers to himself as a "Constitutional Conservative" and he opposes gun control.

Believes that a "judge should interpret the law — not create it."

- Said, "I will not leave common sense or my years of experience at the front door of the courthouse and will always seek to be prepared for each case being presented."
- Refers to himself as a "Constitutional Conservative" and he opposes gun control.
- Believes that a "judge should interpret the law — not create it."

Judicial Philosophy

Said, "I will give great care and due consideration to the constitutional role of our courts, as our court system and our system of government rely upon public confidence."

- Said, "I will give great care and due consideration to the constitutional role of our courts, as our court system and our system of government rely upon public confidence."

Judicial Administration

Has previously served as a mentor in the State Bar of Georgia's Transition Into Law Program.

- Has previously served as a mentor in the State Bar of Georgia's Transition Into Law Program.

Community Involvement

John "Tripp" Wingate, III

- 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. 
