Justice Charles J. Bethel

Charles "Charlie" Bethel is married and has three children. He attends the First Baptist Church of Dalton. He has a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Georgia. 

Charlie currently serves as a state supreme court justice. He was appointed in 2018 and elected in 2020. He is serving his first term. He previously served as an alderman for the City of Dalton, a state senator, and a state court of appeals judge.

Charlie previously worked as a law clerk on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. He also worked in the flooring industry as an executive. 

As a state supreme court justice, decides which cases the court will grant review of, evaluates questions of constitutional law, wrongful imprisonment cases, capital felonies, election contests, and the state’s use of the death penalty. The justice ensures that lower courts apply the law correctly, allows certain cases to be retried, and provides final interpretations of state law.

As a state court of appeals judge, ensured the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercised the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of law by lower appeals and trial courts, and heard applications for court orders that require and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials.

- As a state supreme court justice, decides which cases the court will grant review of, evaluates questions of constitutional law, wrongful imprisonment cases, capital felonies, election contests, and the state’s use of the death penalty. The justice ensures that lower courts apply the law correctly, allows certain cases to be retried, and provides final interpretations of state law.
- As a state court of appeals judge, ensured the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercised the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of law by lower appeals and trial courts, and heard applications for court orders that require and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials.

Legal Experience

As of March 11, 2026, Charles "Charlie" Bethel’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Served as a volunteer coach in various youth sports.

Served in various leadership positions with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, United Way, and the Dalton Rotary Club among others.

- Served as a volunteer coach in various youth sports.
- Served in various leadership positions with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, United Way, and the Dalton Rotary Club among others.

Community Involvement

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

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Charles "Charlie" Bethel

- The Georgia Supreme Court is very similar to the US Supreme Court. The Georgia Supreme Court consists of nine judges called Justices. They are the final authority on the Georgia Constitution. 
- Supreme Court Justices are the final court for appeals in the State of Georgia. This means they hear all types of civil cases, criminal cases, and cases involving the State of Georgia. 
- Supreme Court Justices hear cases to determine if a prisoner is being held by the state in error. They hear any cases involving the death penalty or the potential of the death penalty. 
- Unlike trial courts, Supreme Court Justices do not decide cases on their own. Instead the decisions are made as a group by majority vote. An individual Justice will then publish a majority opinion.
- The Supreme Court Justices internally choose a Supreme Court Chief Justice, who presides over oral arguments, leads case deliberations, chairs the Judicial Council of Georgia, and serves four year terms.
- Supreme Court Justices are elected to six year terms. Elections are nonpartisan and statewide. The Governor can appoint Supreme Court Justices when vacancies arise.