Deal was appointed to the post May 26 by Governor Perdue. He replaces the retiring John Girardeau, who assumes Senior Judge status and will serve as a substitute judge anywhere in the state that he is needed.
Judge Deal has been serving as District Attorney for the two-county Northeastern Circuit, which includes Hall and Dawson counties.
Deal was one of three members of the judiciary sworn in by Gov. Perdue in Atlanta Wednesday morning. The others are a Fulton County Superior Court Judge and a new member of the Georgia Supreme Court.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/6/132493