Tolbert, Sikes seek State Court judge position
As of Friday, two people had applied for the State Court judge position in Jackson County. Jefferson attorneys Scott Tolbert and Donna Golden Sikes are the only names in the hat so far, but several other Jackson County attorneys have reportedly expressed an interested in the position.
Applications and nominations are being taken for the State Court judge position in following the death of Judge Jerry Gray.
The Judicial Nominating Commission for the State of Georgia, led by chairman Michael Bowers, is accepting applications for the judgeship. Each person who applies or is nominated will receive an application package to be completed and sent to the commission by Nov. 23.
The commission will meet to interview the applicants on Dec .7. The commission will then select and recommend to the governor those found to be “qualified” to a short list of up to five people for the position.
The governor will make the appointment.
The Judicial Nominating Commission for the State of Georgia, led by chairman Michael Bowers, is accepting applications for the judgeship. Each person who applies or is nominated will receive an application package to be completed and sent to the commission by Nov. 23.
The commission will meet to interview the applicants on Dec .7. The commission will then select and recommend to the governor those found to be “qualified” to a short list of up to five people for the position.
The governor will make the appointment.
Defined tags for this entry: Elections
Walter Harvey. A very likeable attorney with a ton of knowledge. His problem? He is a Democrat and Perdue will never consider him.
Julie Wisotsky. A nice young lady but with very, very limited (if any) trial experience. Plus, she is more liberal than President Obama so her chances are even less than Mr. Harveys.
Rick Bridgeman. Being a Republican helps but this is a part time job with part time pay. I doubt Mr. Bridgeman could affort to give up being a full time ADA to take a part time job. Plus, he already received an appointment and was soundly beaten in the primary. Governor Perdue will not make that mistake twice.
Ronnie Hopkins. He is a good closing attorney, and that is about it. I agree with my fellow attorney below. Mr. Hopkins has no court experience, fact is, I don't think I have ever seen him in a court room in over 25 years. A knowledge of courtroom procedure and evidence is a must, and I would seriously doubt his knowlege in those areas. The defense bar would eat him alive. Mr. Hopkins legacy is the Jefferson School system. It would be a job he would have to vacate to hold office as a judge. Why would he give up a successfull position that he appears to be good at to attempt a position that he has zero knowledge of? Plus, remember who represented Darren Glenn in his suit with the City of Jefferson--Mike Bowers. Do you think that he will ever stand a chance to get past Mike Bowers as the gate keeper? Not a chance.
Scott Tolbert. Being Republican will help him considerably plus he knows the Governor, Lt. Governor and practically everybody else in Atlanta. I think he practically lives in the State Court system so his knowlege of the procedures would be second to none. Like him or not, if I, or any family member or friend were ever were charged with DUI, I would call him. He is an encyclopedia of knowlege in that area of the law which would come in handy in the State Court. Based on his connections and back ground he would be the front runner.
Donna Sikes. Another good attorney but lacks courtroom experience. I may be mistaken but I don't think she has ever tried a jury trial in the last 15-20 years. Another problem will be that she has gone through this process before and never been selected. The selection committe will look at that as a negative. Plus she lost an election just a year ago which will show she will have trouble holding the appointed spot.
Don't know much about Wisotsky, so can't comment on her.
Bridgeman would be quite a change from business as usual, he'd probably pack the jail full. He was the top vote getter in Jackson County in the DA's race and only lost the primary because of Barrow County voters. He could probably get elected in Jackson. You are correct that he is still a full-time prosecutor so he might not be willing to move to a part-time judgeship.
Ronnie Hopkins is also a well-regarded lawyer but without any trial experience, it would be a steep learning curve for him. I'm sure he'd be a fair judge.
Scott Tolbert may have some political connections but I wonder if they will be enough to overcome the stink of Pendergrass. Wasn't he the judge there at the same time one law partner was the prosecutor and the other was the police chief? Plus, he is a career defense attorney, although he and Don Moore would probably be battling each other to see how many DUI cases they could dismiss. Not my favorite.
Donna Sikes has baggage of her own and considering that she did not win her home county in the DA's race, may not be able to withstand a strong challenger. Plus, hasn't she been telling everyone that she is running again for DA in 2012? That kind of indecision about seeking office makes it seem like she is just job hunting.
Don't we have anyone else interested and qualified that can be nominated?