HOMER — The Banks County Commission received a message from the superior court judges of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit Tuesday night: don’t leave the circuit without trying to work things out.
Banks County leaders have said they will ask the local legislative delegation to help the county move from the Piedmont Judicial Circuit (made up of Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties) to the Mountain Judicial Circuit, made up of (Habersham, Rabun and Stephens counties).
Chief Judge David Motes addressed the commission Tuesday night, saying he spoke on behalf of himself, Judge Currie M. Mingledorff II, Judge Wayne D. McLocklin and Judge Joseph H. Booth, the judges of the circuit, all of whom were in attendance.
“I’m here for one purpose and one purpose only,” Motes told commissioners. “I want to tell you that I think it is not in the best interest of the citizens of Banks County of the state of Georgia for Banks County to divorce the Piedmont Judicial Circuit.”
Likening the commission’s desire to leave the judicial circuit to a marriage coming to an end, Motes said divorces are costly.
“We do have concerns about Banks County leaving the Piedmont Judicial Circuit,” Motes said. “We’re concerned about what this will cost the citizens of Banks County and how that will impact them. I speak for all the judges when I tell you that we’re all committed to serve the citizens of Banks County. That is our job, that is our duty, and we will continue to do our duty for as long as we are judges of the Superior Court of Banks County.”
Commissioners asked no questions after Motes’ speech, nor did they take any action regarding the Piedmont Judicial Circuit.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/10/592730/chief-judge-urges-banks-county-not-to-divorce-piedmont-circuit