Superior Court Judges Announce New Chief Judge

Lawton E. Stephens, Chief Judge of the Western Judicial Circuit, Judge David Sweat, and Judge Patrick Haggard announce that Judge David Sweat will become Chief Judge of the Western Circuit effective January 1, 2013, according to a press release from Athens Clarke County. Judge Stephens will continue as Judge of Superior Courts, beginning his fifth term of office since his appointment by Governor Zell Miller in 1991.

The transfer of Chief Judgeship will take place during the oath of office ceremony on Friday, December 21 at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom #1 of the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse at 325 East Washington Street. The ceremony will also administer oaths of office for judges in Superior Court, State Court, Probate Court, and Magistrate Court, as well as the Clerk of Superior and State Courts, Sheriff, Tax Commissioner, and Coroner.

Judge Lawton Stephens began service as Chief Judge on January 1, 2003. Under his leadership, the courts in the Western Circuit, which includes Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties, have initiated a number of significant new courts and programs. The Superior Courts initiated the Felony Drug Court, which moves non-violent, drug-addicted offenders out of confinement and into supervised treatment. Judge Stephens has presided over that court since Judge Steve Jones' appointment to serve as a Judge in the United States District Court. The Superior Courts also started the Treatment and Accountability Court, which insures that offenders with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders comply with treatment and remain drug and alcohol free.

Under Judge Stephens' leadership, the Athens-Clarke County courts established a probation service operated by the Unified Government to supervise misdemeanor offenders. ACC Probation Services has been recognized as a leader in promoting probation compliance and public safety while increasing collection of restitution and court-ordered fines to a self-supporting level. ACC Probation Services also initiated a program that verifies that individuals who have committed acts of domestic violence complete a Family Violence Intervention Program. These programs have been proven to reduce recurrence of domestic violence offenses. ACC Probation Services is one of the only probation organizations in the state utilizing Peace Officer Standard Training (POST)-certified officers to supervise misdemeanor offenders.

Judge Stephens, along with other partners, led the development of the Athens-Clarke County Diversion-Work Release Center program. This program provides non-violent offenders with a supervised living situation that moves them out of jail and back to work. The center also accepts individuals who have been found in contempt of court for failure to pay child support. While residing at the Diversion Center, individuals must find employment and adhere to rules requiring accountability and sobriety.

During Judge Stephens' tenure, the Judges of the six different classes of courts in Athens-Clarke County began to conduct monthly judge meetings. Through these meetings, the Judges have strengthened communications with other branches of local government and regularly invite the Mayor, the Manager, the Sheriff, or the Chief of Police to discuss areas of common concern.

As an example, the Judges recognized the need for professional administration and worked with the Mayor and Commission to create the Court Administrator position. The Court Administrator serves all classes of courts and insures that the Judges are provided with the tools necessary to efficiently and effectively do the work of the courts. The Court Administrator has been especially productive in implementing new technologies in the courts.

Judge Sweat was elected to office in 2003, replacing retiring Judge Joseph Gaines. Judge Sweat presides over the Treatment and Accountability Court and works on several of the Western Circuits’ technology projects. He also serves as chair of the Council of Superior Court Judges’ Uniform Rules Committee, which has responsibility for developing rules of practice for superior courts across the state.