Longtime Columbia County Superior Court Judge Wade Padgett has been appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill the unexpired term of Christian Coomer on the Georgia Court of Appeals.
Padgett began his career in the judiciary in 1995 as a Columbia County magistrate judge, became the chief magistrate in 2004 and was appointed to the Augusta Circuit Superior Court bench in 2009. When Columbia County split off into its own circuit, Padgett moved to the new circuit.
While Padgett has presided over court for nearly 30 years, most people remember him for his volunteer work outside of the bench.
Around 2003, Padgett launched a program of seminars aimed at adolescents, titled “Teenage 101.”
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The seminars were a series of frank discussions with teenagers about the consequences of crime and drug use. The talks were lauded because of Padgett’s unique ability to combine “scare them straight” tactics with his own wit, making what would normally be an uncomfortable conversation into more of an informational discussion that grabbed the kids attention.
Padgett toured schools and churches and the seminars held at the 400-seat Jabez Hardin Auditorium were standing room only.
“I can’t tell you how many people who are now in their 30’s come up to me and say ‘you came to my high school and the information you presented really opened my eyes.’ That really makes it all worth it,” Padgett said.
The Sheriff of Columbia County, Clay Whittle, says that thanks to Padgett’s efforts, many teenagers in Columbia County never saw the inside of his jail.
“I’m happy for Wade. I hate to hear he is leaving Superior Court, but look on the bright side, we have an astute legal mind going where it is definitely needed,” Whittle said.
Columbia County Chief Judge Sheryl Jolly and Augusta Circuit Chief Judge Danny Craig say it has been a delight to be a colleague of Padgett over the years with both of them adding that 60% of the current superior court judges across Georgia were trained by Padgett since he provides the “new judges orientation” course.
“Wade is a fair-minded and prepared jurist. He is a true scholar of the law and I know he will serve the citizens of Georgia well,” Jolly said.
Craig concurred.
“He brings to that bench a unique combination of experience – from the courtroom to the classroom. Such a broad range of perception and application equips him to dive much deeper than most as that court reviews the work of lawyers and judges,” Craig said.
It is not clear exactly when Padgett will be sworn in, but he will remain an appointee until November when statewide elections will be held.
“It has been a huge honor to serve Augusta and Columbia County and I am very humbled to be appointed to a position to serve all Georgians,” Padgett said.
Meanwhile, local attorney Grady Blanchard was appointed by Kemp to fill the remainder Padgett’s term on Superior Court.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
