Cherokee County Judge To Run For Superior Court Seat

CANTON, GA — A Cherokee County Juvenile Court judge has announced his plans to seek a seat on the Superior Court. Judge M. Anthony "Tony" Baker will seek the seat currently held by Chief Superior Court Judge Jackson Harris, who announced earlier this week he will not be qualifying to seek re-election.

Baker has been a Juvenile Court judge since 2007, handling delinquency and dependency cases involving children and their families. Baker has been re-appointed two times by Superior Court judges since taking office.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Cherokee County as their Juvenile Court Judge for the past 11 years," Baker said. "I believe my background, legal training, and judicial experience most qualifies me to serve as Cherokee's next Superior Court judge. I ask the citizens for the honor of their vote in electing me as their next Superior Court judge on May 22, 2018."

Baker brings 11 years of judicial experience to the Superior Court bench, as he already serves as a Superior Court judge by designation. When assisting the Superior Court judges, Baker hears family law and criminal law cases.

Baker was admitted to the bar in 1992. Prior to becoming a Juvenile Court judge in 2007, he served as a trial lawyer and Municipal Court judge for the cities of Canton, Holly Springs and Woodstock. Baker gained extensive trial experience during his nearly 15 years as a general trial practitioner.

Baker grew up in Cherokee County and graduated from Cherokee High School in 1985. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1989. In 1992, Baker obtained his law degree from Mercer University, and returned home to practice law with his late father, Elliott Baker, in downtown Canton. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Blue Ridge Bar Association and both the State and National Council of Juvenile and
Family Court Judges.

His roots run deep in the Cherokee County community. Baker is a board member of the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and the Northside Cherokee Hospital Authority. In the past, he has served as a board member for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Malon D. Mimms Boys and Girls Club of Cherokee County, the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame and the Chattahoochee
Technical College's Advisory Board.

Baker was also extensively involved with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 125, as a Scout Leader and Merit Badge counselor. In 2011, Baker received the prestigious Justice Robert Benham Award for his service to the
community. In addition, Baker often speaks with community groups about his role as judge and the Juvenile Court.

Baker lives in Canton with his wife, Tiffany, and their two children. The family attends Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

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Image via Judge Tony Baker