Columbia County has been preparing for the anticipated creation of the Columbia Judicial Circuit.
The day after a judge ruled the planned split from the Augusta Judicial Circuit is constitutional, Commission Chairman Doug Duncan said they are waiting for the temporary restraining order to expire on Thursday.
“Friday we will be onboarding all the employees. We’ve done a lot of work to get to the point to launch on July first,” he said. “Then the temporary restraining order made us stop, but the vast majority of the work has already been done.”
MORE: Georgia Supreme Court Sets Deadline In Columbia County Judicial Split
A sign will go on the former Taxslayer building designating it the judicial annex. It will house judges’ and district attorney offices, Juvenile Court and space for employees with Georgia’s probation services.
County Manager Scott Johnson said, “That building is ready. It has been remodeled, computers ready. We’re waiting for a body to sit at the desk in every office.”
He added the budget has been passed and it shows a savings of $565,000 by setting up its own judicial circuit.
Gov. Brian Kemp will need to give District Attorney Bobby Christine the oath of office.
Attorney Willie Sanders, a resident of Columbia County, had sued claiming, among other things, the split would create a majority white judicial circuit, which disenfranchises African/American voters. The lawsuit says that violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
MORE: Columbia County Judicial Split Halted For Now
Monday, Senior Judge Adele P. Grubbs ruled the split is constitutional and can take effect as soon as Friday.
However, Sanders says he and his attorney are waiting for a copy of the order and will then file an appeal as quickly as possible.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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