(Georgia Recorder) — Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs called on state officials Tuesday to support plans to improve safety and technology throughout the state’s judicial system.
During Tuesday’s annual State of the Judiciary address, Boggs discussed key legislative proposals and other plans for supporting a statewide court system with 1,600 judges and thousands of court support staffers.
A post-pandemic judicial system dominated by state courts, where 95% of cases are heard, requires continued progress on issues like compensation and keeping staff safe from rising threats, Boggs said.
Boggs cited United States Marshals Service reports showing that threats against federal judges are on the rise, with 457 credible threats in 2023 compared to 179 in 2019. There is anecdotal evidence that judges and other court staff in Georgia are also facing more threats, Boggs said.
Last year, there was bipartisan support for increased criminal penalties against the so-called swatting of public figures after several Georgia elected officials’ residences were the target of hoax 911 calls claiming that someone’s life was in danger. Boggs also advocated for security measures in courthouses that will enhance both the safety of court staff and law enforcement, as well as the public.
“Now more than ever, the safety of our state’s 1,600 judges– as well as our court personnel and the general public who still enter our hallways and courtrooms each day has become a pronounced concern,” Boggs said. “It is crucial that our courtrooms are secure and those who work within them can perform their duties. This means not only upgrading our physical security measures, but also implementing comprehensive training so that security situations can be handled more effectively or better yet, prevent it altogether.”
Boggs said that equally as concerning as the attacks and threats of physical violence on our judges are efforts to transform the courts into partisan political actors. One way to further create an independent judiciary is to through legislation this year that would eliminate partisan elections that remain for several probate and magistrate judges, Boggs said.
“Simply put, an independent judiciary, with respect for the rule of law, keeps us from becoming a society in which the person with the biggest stick is in charge,” Boggs said.
Boggs discussed the governor’s decision to allocate funds over the last couple of budgets to replace and overhaul a court management system that is currently siloed among 159 different court systems, making it difficult to share information across districts.
The state’s chief justice also lobbied for legislation to complete the process of having a cohesive statewide court management system ready by the end of 2025. Over the past year, technological challenges have slowed down the consolidation of judicial records into a single system that is accessible across every jurisdiction.
For example, members of the Council of Juvenile Court judges described to a legislative panel some of the challenges of collecting data through a statewide case tracking case system.
Currently, the case management systems can provide judges with inaccurate information about defendants’ criminal histories, such as previous mental health treatment or case dispositions, Boggs said.
“They may not know, for example, whether a defendant standing before them has a prior criminal history in another county, whether they have ongoing criminal matters in other jurisdictions, whether they’ve ever had prior civil mental health commitments, or even whether prior arrests and dispositions are accurately reflected in their criminal histories,” he said.
Boggs also asked state lawmakers to support a proposal by the Judicial Council of Georgia that would allow trial judges to use a digital recording system to address a national shortage of court reporters. Artificial intelligence, he said, has opened up more reliable digital technology, which can reduce delays in court proceedings caused by a shortage of court reporters able to transcribe proceedings.
Judiciary officials and several state legislators have also renewed their efforts this year to pass bills increasing judges’ compensation. House Bill 85 and House Bill 86, sponsored by Elberton Republican Rep. Rob Leverett, would increase salaries for superior court and state court judges.
Boggs praised the increased focus by the state Legislature on making mental health treatment a priority, including through more counseling and job training. Many Georgians have benefited from accountability courts’ ongoing support in reducing recidivism and receiving treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues. Boggs also stressed that there is a critical need for more support behind Veterans Treatment Courts this year. The courts are set up to help veterans struggling with substance abuse and other mental health challenges.
