After months of controversy, Columbia County will now have its own judicial circuit.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill, which passed unanimously in the state senate on Thursday, which would sever the Augusta Circuit. The Augusta Judicial circuit has remained unchanged for over a century and a half.
The new Columbia County Judicial Circuit will have three judges. Richmond and Burke County shall have five judges.
A new district attorney will be appointed for the newly formed Columbia County Judicial Circuit until an election is held.
It has been speculated that former District Attorney Natalie Paine is expected to fill the position after losing a runoff election to local attorney Jared Williams. Williams was the first African American ever to be elected to the position.
