Gloves Come Off At State Court Judge Forum

CANTON, GA -- It's one of the local elected offices that few people pay close attention to. It's also one of the branches of government you will become familiar with if you -- or someone you love -- has committed a traffic violation or a misdemeanor.

It's the Cherokee County State Court, and an incumbent judge -- Michelle Homier -- is facing opposition from attorney Bart Glasgow in the nonpartisan race.

Both candidates fielded questions from moderator and fellow attorney Kyle Wallace and the audience during a forum hosted April 18 by the Cherokee County Republican Women organization.

Homier was first elected in 2012 to the judgeship following the retirement of Chief State Court Judge C.J. Gober.

Patch has condensed questions from the audience and has provided an overview of each candidates' response.

Why should the average citizen care who is the State Court judge?

Homier noted traffic tickets that are processed through the State Court can carry up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Aside from the Cherokee County Probate Court, most residents are more likely to have an encounter with the State Court than the Superior Court, which handles felony offenses. Homier noted that her job as a state court judge is to determine if a person facing a misdemeanor charge is "one step away" from committing a felony. Homier noted she is the kind of judge who will listen to a person's case and as a result, a defendant could end up receiving a lesser sentence or a harsher sentence.

Glasgow noted he felt that was the fundamental difference between him and Homier. While there is tremendous discretion in handing down sentences, he noted a judge should be one who delivers justice in a fair and impartial way.

"I believe in equal protection," he said, adding the law should be applied evenly to everyone. He also said he believes it's up to judges to hold children accountable and not, for example, allow them to be released on probation when they test "dirty" on drug screenings.

What are the one or two most important qualities a State Court judge should possess?

Glasgow noted judges need to be even-tempered and have a "steady hand" when it comes to their tenure in office. He also stated those judges need to make decisions based on the arguments fielded from all sides. The attorney used that opportunity to accuse Homier of presiding over a case she in which previously worked as an lawyer.

Homier said she believed judges need to be "authentic" when dealing with the public, as those same people can attend one's church, serve as a member of a local PTA or could even be a neighbor.

"You have to be the same on the bench as you’re off," she said.

She also accused Glasgow of not being up front with her about his intentions of seeking office in a bid to unseat her from the position.

Later during the forum, Homier addressed the allegations leveled by Glasgow. The defendant at the time came before Judge Gober before Homier was elected and entered a plea. That same defendant also requested time to attend a baptism and attend a counseling session. Gober refused and once he retired, Homier said the case was assigned to her. Noting that she didn't feel the decision at the time was fair, Homier said she asked to have the case reassigned to another judge. The acting solicitor at the time refused, and the incumbent said she subsequently handled the case.

If you could change one thing about court administration, what would it be?

Glasgow said he wouldn't do anything to change the law, but he did say he would implement a web-based system attorneys can use to file various documents. Homier challenged Glasgow's comments, adding she regularly allows attorneys to send requests or conflicts of appearances via email and even text messages.

"We do make things efficient," she said.

Do you believe it takes too much time to get a civil case to trial?

Glasgow noted the 7th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution calls for citizens' rights to a trial by jury. To that end, the candidate called for extending the civil trial calendars. Homier stated there was no backlog in State Court, and that she is always ready to assist other judges with adjudicating their cases.

Should judges promote themselves as conservatives?

Glasgow, who touts himself as a conservative, stated he applies that label in how one interprets the law and how judges should apply said law. Homier stated she didn't believe it was appropriate due to the current political climate in the country. To claim the conservative label, Homier said, would be to imply that would align with a particular political party, something judges are supposed to refrain from doing.

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