Judge Accused of Nepotism and Abusing Power From the Bench

The state's judicial disciplinary agency has turned to a former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia to prosecute the chief judge of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit for a series of alleged ethics violations.

Former Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears will prosecute Chief Superior Court Judge Amanda F. Williams on charges filed late Wednesday by the Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The JQC accused Williams of "willful misconduct in office" and "tyrannical partiality." Sears has teamed up with former Georgia Attorney General Michael J. Bowers to present the ethics case against Williams to JQC members, who will serve as both judge and jury. Sears, who stepped down from the high court in 2009, is an attorney at the Atlanta offices of Chicago firm Schiff Hardin. Bowers, who has handled other prosecutions for the JQC, is a partner at the Atlanta offices of Balch & Bingham.

Sears and Bowers on Wednesday signed off on a 31-page notice that includes 12 counts alleging that Williams violated judicial canons by jailing defendants indefinitely and then lying to the JQC about the practice.

The JQC notice also accused Williams of improperly allowing members of her family to litigate cases in front of her, allowing her social and political relationships to influence her judicial conduct, and improperly endorsing a local candidate for district attorney.

The charges claim Williams issued ex parte orders on substantive legal matters without the knowledge or input of all parties involved in disputes, held hearings in chambers without a court reporter present, improperly jailed people who appeared before her, demonstrated an open bias against defendants and used "rude, abusive and insulting language" in court.

Sanctions—which would be handed down by the Supreme Court based on the recommendation of the JQC panel—could range from a public reprimand to removal from the bench. Davis said Williams, if she chooses to fight the charges, could face a hearing in January.

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Judge Accused of Nepotism and Abusing Power From Bench