Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. has served on the Superior Court locally for over two decades and now he says it is time to hang up his robe.
Blanchard has announced he will retire at the end of the year and has applied for Senior Judge status, which means he can be called upon from time-to-time to return briefly when needed on the bench.
Appointed by then-Governor Roy Barnes in 2002, Blanchard quickly developed the reputation of being a conservative judge with a compassionate and fair demeanor.
In fact, it was Blanchard that pushed strongly for the creation of “accountability” courts, which includes Drug Court, Behavioral Court and Veterans Court.
“I guess that would be what I am most proud of, the accountability courts. Even on days when the workload is heavy, to be reminded about the number of people that have been helped through those courts is very gratifying,” Blanchard said.
In 2022, Blanchard was honored by his peers, receiving the Star Award from the Council of Accountability Court Judges of Georgia.
Columbia County Assistant District Attorney Natalie Paine says Blanchard has left his mark on the court and leaves behind a legacy to be admired.
“Judge Blanchard was always the consummate professional. He truly had a servant’s heart and his commitment to establishing and maintaining our accountability courts is something I know he will be remembered for,” Paine said.
While Blanchard is known for his belief in rehabilitation for non-violent offenders and people with substance abuse issues, he has proven from the bench that he has no tolerance for violent criminals and child molesters.
In one of the most high profile cases of the past in Columbia County, Blanchard showed no favoritism to former Harlem Mayor and then-Columbia County Commissioner Scott Dean when the disgraced politician was convicted by a jury on two counts of child molestation.
Blanchard handed down a sentence of 20 years in prison followed by 20 years probation and the sentence was upheld after multiple appeals.
Most of Blanchard’s judicial career was spent in the Richmond, Burke and Columbia County Circuit until the 2021 split with Columbia County becoming its own circuit. At that point, Blanchard was named as the chief judge of the Columbia County Circuit.
Former Columbia County Commissioner Dewey Galeas says he remembers how Blanchard showed what a class act he was during the process of building the new circuit.
“He sent all of us commissioners a very nice letter written on parchment paper and gave us each a milled gavel as a gift,” Galeas said.
Columbia County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan says he hopes that Blanchard will enjoy a well-deserved retirement and will serve when needed as a senior judge.
“Judge Blanchard has been a guiding light of truth and justice for the entire greater Augusta region. There was no better person to serve as initial chief judge for the Columbia judicial circuit,” Duncan said.
Judge Sheryl Jolly will succeed Blanchard as chief judge, and his position on the bench will be filled by gubernatorial appointment.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
