The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission appointed Stephanie Thompson municipal court judge with a two-year term starting July 1.
Thompson previously prosecuted misdemeanors with the Hall County Solicitor General’s Office. She has also served on the Hall County Domestic Violence Task Force and the Children’s Center for Hope and Healing board of directors. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Georgia State University and a law degree from John Marshall University.
“Given her past work and exemplary praise from former colleagues, it is clear that Stephanie Thompson will handle the complexity and high volume of activity in Municipal Court very well,” Mayor Kelly Girtz, who recommended Thompson to the commission, said in a news release. “We are fortunate to have her join our strong local judiciary.”
Municipal Court is the busiest court in Athens, handling over 72,000 cases a year. The court has jurisdiction over traffic violations, DUIs, local ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors, such as shoplifting, underage drinking and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.
“I am truly honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the next Municipal Court Judge of Athens-Clarke County,” Thompson said. “I accept this responsibility with humility, a deep respect for the law, and a commitment to the people that I will serve. My goal is to foster an environment that reflects the highest standards of public service and earns the trust of our community every day.”
Former assistant ACC attorney Jim Davis had been serving as the interim judge since Marcy Jolles’ resignation in March.
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