Judge fined for not reporting accident; apologizes for his actions

CLARKESVILLE - A Habersham County-based Superior Court Judge has been fined $475 after pleading "no contest" to several wreck-related charges - and has apologized for what happened.

Judge Jim Cornwell of the Mountain Judicial Circuit had been charged with driving too fast for conditions, failure to report an accident, and failure to maintain lane.

The wreck happened September 11 when, according to the state patrol, he ran off a Habersham County road, wrecked his SUV, and, according to the state patrol, failed to report the accident.

In his apology, Judge Cornwell said if any public trust was lost or damaged, he will "work hard" to restore it in him, his office and the circuit.