The Augusta Press first reported back in February that Augusta Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Carl Brown was under investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission. The case continues to drag on during a sensitive time for the judicial circuit and we feel it is now time for Brown to put his community first and retire.
The complaint filed against Brown alleges nepotism, interfering with the workings of the Magistrates Court in Burke County and exceeding his authority in demanding Juvenile Court be housed in the former jail building on Walton Way.
MORE: JQC Complaints Could Mean the End for Chief Judge Carl Brown
The allegations portray the Chief Judge as acting as somewhat of a dictator within his own domain and treating it as his private fiefdom.
The issue with Brown arose as Columbia County was seeking to break from the Augusta Judicial Circuit and create their own Superior Court. Now that the split has been approved by the legislature, quite a lot of things need to happen to make the transition occur smoothly.
It also doesn’t help that a lawsuit has been filed by local attorney Maureen Floyd challenging the appointment of former state Senator Jesse Stone to the Superior Court bench. Stone was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to take over retired Judge Michael Annis’ seat.
The problem is that Kemp waited until after Annis’ term expired to appoint Stone, which has now led to a full blown legal controversy.
The Stone situation could cause a potential crisis if he is eventually ruled to be occupying the seat illegally. The Governor has remained silent on the matter and Stone continues to hear cases even though every decision he makes from the bench might be in peril of being overturned by a higher court if his appointment is eventually vacated.
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These issues are exactly why the Augusta Judicial Circuit needs a steady hand of leadership.
Brown has a solid, decades-long record as a judge. However, the allegations he faces are serious.
There’s a reason the public rarely sees a quote by a judge made outside of court recorded statements that are broadcast or printed in the media. The legal and ethical code among judges is to allow their cases and their rulings to be the subject of media reports.
Simply put, it is an unspoken rule that judges are to have a bit of separation in that their rulings are the story, not them personally.
Consequently, when allegations are brought against a judge, it affects the public perception of the entire court system.
Had the allegations against Brown been reviewed by the JQC and immediately dismissed, then there would be no public concern as disgruntled parties often file claims that are quickly ruled to be frivolous. However, the fact that the JQC has not taken such action to dismiss the claims is telling.
MORE: Columbia County Prepares For Its Own Judicial Circuit
Judge Brown has had a long and fruitful career and he is long past the normal retirement age. If he retires, the JQC investigation becomes a moot matter and the public can be spared a long drama.
More importantly, the very real issues and cases before the court can remain the ultimate focus and not the sideline controversies that serve only to slow the judicial process.
It is time for the good Judge Carl Brown to call it a day and retire.
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