Ann Harris - Ballotpedia

Gov. Kemp Names 40 Appointments

Judge Ann B. Harris - Georgia Technology Authority

Senior Assistant District Attorney and Candidate for Cobb Superior Court Judge

Linkedin

Ann Bethune Harris is from around Birmingham, Alabama. She earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Auburn and a law degree from Vanderbilt University. Ann lives with her husband, Jim, in Smyrna, Georgia.

Honorable Ann B. Harris, Chief Judge

Ann currently serves as the chief judge on the Cobb Judicial Circuit. She was first elected in 2014 and is in her third term.

Ann previously served as the senior assistant district attorney for the Cobb County District Attorney's Office and an instructor at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy. She also worked as a senior consultant for Arthur Andersen (now known as Accenture), an international information services consulting firm.

As the senior assistant district attorney for the Cobb County District Attorney's Office for 19 years, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- As the senior assistant district attorney for the Cobb County District Attorney's Office for 19 years, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Legal Experience

As of March 11, 2026, Ann Bethune Harris did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Ann Harris elected as Cobb Superior Court Chief Judge

Presides over Cobb County's Parental Accountability Court, which helps develop non-payers of child support into financially supportive parents.

Presides over Cobb County's Mental Health Accountability Court, providing treatment and restoration of those with mental illness in the criminal justice system.

Helped the U.S. State Department work with the Republic of Georgia to promote the independence and transparency of their justice system and with court and jury trial management.

- Presides over Cobb County's Parental Accountability Court, which helps develop non-payers of child support into financially supportive parents.
- Presides over Cobb County's Mental Health Accountability Court, providing treatment and restoration of those with mental illness in the criminal justice system.
- Helped the U.S. State Department work with the Republic of Georgia to promote the independence and transparency of their justice system and with court and jury trial management.

Judicial Administration

Said, "Seeking justice means knowing the law and following the law. Every time. In every case."

Helped draft the first human trafficking law in Georgia.

Believes seeking justice requires being fair and impartial.

Believes judges should offer second chances and an alternative to prison "to those who are deserving."

- Said, "Seeking justice means knowing the law and following the law. Every time. In every case."
- Helped draft the first human trafficking law in Georgia.
- Believes seeking justice requires being fair and impartial.
- Believes judges should offer second chances and an alternative to prison "to those who are deserving."

Judicial Philosophy

MUST Ministries - Board of Directors

Served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for MUST Ministries, a non-profit that assists homeless and struggling families and individuals with necessities.

Served as the President of the Smyrna Optimist Club.

- Served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for MUST Ministries, a non-profit that assists homeless and struggling families and individuals with necessities.
- Served as the President of the Smyrna Optimist Club.

Community Involvement

Facebook

LinkedIn

Ann Bethune Harris

- 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. 