Judge Homier Seeks Reelection To State Court Seat

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Cherokee County State Court Judge Michelle L.H. Homier has announced her bid to seek reelection.

Homier was first elected in July 2012, and took office in January 2013. The nonpartisan election will be held in 2016.

Judge Homier ran on three issues during her first campaign -- offering alternatives to paying fines in hardship cases; increasing treatment for DUIs; and establishing a mental health court -- and she remains committed to these issues.

For those who have financial difficulties, they have performed community service with nonprofit organizations or at local parks and playgrounds. They’ve also written essays on what they’ve learned.

Judge Homier has also narrowed time frames on beginning recommended treatment while also giving people credit for addressing substance abuse issues prior to sentencing.

Establishing a formal mental health court has proved difficult, but Homier said the court is close to opening for business. In her court, mental health issues are addressed on a case by case basis, such as offering suggestions on resources and trying to closely track cases where those issues are relevant.

Going forward, she will continue to address these ongoing concerns.

Along with remaining dedicated to those issues, Judge Homier will continue to run an office that’s highly accessible to attorneys and other court personnel, she said in her press release.

Both she and her secretary also respond quickly to emails and other forms of communication, even on the weekends and after hours. Judge Homier has also signed after-hours release orders on both criminal defendants and civil detainees, which results in less taxpayer money being spent to house individuals in jail.

Judge Homier stated she “strives to have a court where people feel comfortable appearing and sharing their time and lives.”

In her court, new babies are celebrated and loved ones who have passed are remembered.

“Life is celebrated, holidays are remembered and important milestones are not forgotten,” she said.

In Judge Homier’s court, you are also likely to hear a story or two about the antics of raising three children or hear her relate some practical information that you might not have heard elsewhere. In short, even though court is serious, Judge Homier said she seeks to “keep it real.”

Judge Homier also strives to provide knowledge on the legal and judicial system to the community at large, and enjoys every opportunity she is given to speak to the community. She has spoken to elementary, high school and college students and has been recognized for her accomplishments by both the Ivan Allen College of Georgia Tech and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

Judge Homier lives in Canton with her husband, Tony, and her three children, Riley, Paleigh, and Zoely. Judge Homier is originally from Woodstock, and she is a 1996 graduate of Sequoyah High School.

She received a bachelors degree in 1999 from the Georgia Institute of Technology and her law degree from University of Georgia in 2003. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Blue Ridge Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the National Association of Professional Women.

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Photo credit: Michelle Homier