Judging Corrupt Judges in Georgia

September 30, 2010

At the heart of the American justice system are the concepts of fairness and impartiality, especially on the part of juries and judges. Judges generally have reputations for knowing the law and applying it justly to the situations and defendants before them. So, what happens when the judges are the ones acting inappropriately?

Following a string of scandals and corrupt practices involving multiple judges in Georgia, the way people in the state view judges is currently under careful review.

A Very Thin Line

There seems to be a very thin line between the judge's bench and the defendant's table in Georgia lately. Over the last two years, 16 judges around the state have been forced to resign because of scandal or misconduct on the job.

While many of the judges faced allegations of a sexual nature, others were involved in voter fraud, misappropriation of state funds and inappropriate behavior during proceedings. One male judge even contacted a female defendant on Facebook to "give her behind-the-scenes advice on her case."

More Scandals, More Complaints

While there are no identifiable similarities in the rash of inappropriate behaviors or resignations, beyond the fact that they are all performed by judges, there is one similar outcome. According to one article on the phenomenon, the compounded impact of one scandalous case involving a judge after another has led to a snowball effect of complaints against judges. In addition, instead of being revered and respected, all judges in Georgia are now under scrutiny by the accused they must confront.

Resign or Be Judged

In Georgia, the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) is in charge of investigating judicial misconduct. Although one Fayetteville attorney noted that the JQC was not as forceful even five years ago, resolutions to current accusations are investigated and resolved more efficiently now.

This may lead more judges to resign, which allows the details of their cases to remain confidential. If a judge chooses to fight an allegation, the JQC can bring formal charges, resulting in a public hearing and ultimately an opinion from the Georgia Supreme Court.

Above the Law

If there is any lesson to be learned here, it is that no one is above the law, not even those who administer it. Professional respect should be earned and not simply given because of power or position, especially in a courtroom.

If you are ever accused of a crime in Georgia and have to go before a judge, be sure to contact a Georgia criminal defense attorney prior to your court date to discuss your rights and options. You should know expect appropriate and respectful from a judge, and you have rights if you are treated otherwise.

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