By Adam King
For more than 150 years, Richmond County, Columbia County and Burke County have existed in harmony within the same judicial circuit. Now, legislation is pending in the State Senate that would break up the judicial circuit by removing Columbia County and giving it its own judicial circuit. This is a solution in search of a problem.
Let me provide a little bit of background. The Augusta Judicial Circuit was founded in 1870. Richmond, Columbia and Burke Counties have all been a part of the circuit since that time. A judicial circuit is just what it sounds like – a group of counties that share the personnel and resources that make up the superior courts. Superior courts handle many different kinds of cases, from misdemeanor and felony criminal cases to domestic relations matters to complex civil disputes.
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The Augusta Judicial Circuit as we know it is very successful. Countless cases have been tried, and justice has been administered. This circuit has been one of the state leaders in the mandatory e-filing movement, which is the effort to make sure all civil and criminal filings are made to the clerk of court by electronic means. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, this circuit has been a model of efficiency. It has closed more cases than it has opened. That is difficult to do during a time when jury trials are unavailable due to health and social distancing concerns. It speaks to the excellent judges, court staff and lawyers this judicial circuit has, and the tireless dedication they all bring to their duties.
One of my favorite things about the Augusta Judicial Circuit is its diversity. I don’t just mean diversity in the racial sense, although that is certainly true. The circuit is also diverse in geography. Burke County is a rural area, Richmond County is largely urban, and Columbia County has a nice blend of both. The people in the circuit are diverse as well. All walks and stations of life are well-represented. Personally, I have a connection to all three counties. I was raised in Burke, started my law career practicing primarily in Richmond County, and I currently live in Columbia County.
There are other reasons to keep the circuit the way that it is. One reason is purely economic. It has been suggested that Columbia County may save $1 million by forming its own judicial circuit. This is not accurate. A recent study found that splitting the circuit would cost each county substantial money. Columbia County would lose $1.6 million, Richmond County would lose $1.1 million and Burke County would lose over $400,000.
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Another reason to maintain the current circuit is simply because the three counties work best as one unified group. Serving as one circuit allows the three counties to share resources. For example, let’s say trial is approaching in a complex civil case with multiple sets of lawyers and parties and the parties need courtroom space for hearings and motions. If the courthouse in one county is full with other matters, the parties can agree to go to the neighboring county in the circuit to have their matters heard. This promotes efficiency and will not be possible if the circuit breaks up.
As I mentioned earlier, diversity is one of the great parts of this judicial circuit. A significant part of that diversity would be lost if the Circuit breaks up. I’m not breaking any new ground when I say that this is a difficult and challenging time in history – we’re more fractured and divided than perhaps ever before. In times such as these, I think it important that we at least try to resolve our differences together! We do not need to break off from each other and go it alone. Instead, we need to make a concerted effort to come together and heal some of the wounds that have been created. Respectfully, I suggest that this is better accomplished by staying together.
In conclusion, I will pose a question. The Augusta Judicial Circuit is a long-lasting, robust, dynamic, diverse success. It is not broken. Why is there a sudden rush to make an expensive and divisive change?
Adam W. King
Evans, Ga.
Adam W. King is an Augusta attorney. He previously served six years as an assistant district attorney in the Augusta Judicial Circuit.
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