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Amanda F. Williams
Amanda F. Williams was chief judge of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit in Georgia. She was first elected in 1990 and took office in 1991. Williams was the first woman to serve in this circuit.[1] She resigned from the court, effective January 2, 2012.[2]
Education
Williams earned her law degree from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta in 1977.[3]
Career
Williams was an attorney in Glynn County for 10 years before her 1990 election to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit Superior Court.[3]
Noteworthy events
Controversial ruling (2011)
Williams was featured in the radio program This American Life on March 25, 2011.
The program reviewed Judge Williams and how she ran the drug courts in Glynn, Camden and Wayne counties. It also reviewed the sentencing of Lindsey Dills. Since the program aired, Williams received death threats and calls for her impeachment due to her uncompromising sentencing practices.[3]
- For transcript see: Very Tough Love
Disciplinary charges filed (2011)
In November 2011, the Judicial Qualifications Commission of Georgia (JQC) filed charges against Williams, alleging that the judge:
- jailed defendants indefinitely
- lied to the JQC about indefinite jailing
- gave preferential treatment to family members of friends in her courtroom
- let social and political relationships influence her judicial conduct
- endorsed a candidate for a political position
Williams agreed to resign from her post and sign a consent order preventing her from running for another judicial office or seeking senior judge status in exchange for the JQC dropping its charges.[4]
Indictment (2015)
In June 2015, more than three years after Williams resigned from the bench, a grand jury in Fulton County indicted her on felony criminal charges of lying under oath to the Judicial Qualifications Commission and violating her oath of office. If convicted, she could face prison time, disbarment or both.[5]
2010 election
- See also: Georgia judicial elections, 2010
Williams competed against Mary Helen Moses in her bid for re-election to the Brunswick Circuit.[6] Williams won with 66.2 percent of the vote.[7]
See also
- Courts in Georgia
- Georgia Superior Courts
- Judicial Qualifications Commission of Georgia
- News: Case against Judge Williams to proceed with more charges, December 15, 2011
External links
- Brunswick News, "Former Glynn County Judge Amanda Williams indicted," June 4, 2015
- Athens Banner-Herald, "Indictment of Georgia ex-judge surprised critics, supporters," June 8, 2015
Footnotes
- ↑ The American Life, "Formal Charges for Judge Williams," accessed May 18, 2014
- ↑ The Florida Times-Union, "Judge Amanda Williams quitting before hearing on judicial misconduct charges," December 21, 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 ATLaw Blog, "Broadcast prompts threats and calls for judge's ouster," April 5, 2011
- ↑ The Florida Times-Union, "Judge Amanda Williams quitting before hearing on judicial misconduct charges," December 21, 2011
- ↑ Florida Times-Union, "Former Glynn County chief judge Amanda F. Williams indicted in Fulton County," June 3, 2015
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Non-Partisan Candidates on the November 2, 2010 General Election Ballot," archived July 24, 2012
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Superior Court Judge Race Results," November 2010
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Georgia, Southern District of Georgia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Georgia, Southern District of Georgia
State courts:
Georgia Supreme Court • Georgia Court of Appeals • Georgia Superior Courts • Georgia State Courts • Georgia Business Court • Georgia Tax Court • Georgia Juvenile Courts • Georgia Probate Courts • Georgia Magistrate Courts • Georgia Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Georgia • Georgia judicial elections • Judicial selection in Georgia
