Name: June Davis
Post seeking: Chief Magistrate
Career/occupation: I have been the chief magistrate for the past eight years and am seeking re-election to my third term. Prior to being elected to the office of chief magistrate, I worked at the Winder Police Department for 20 years.
Describe your background:
During my employment at the Winder Police Department, I was a communications officer and later promoted to the position of patrol officer, investigator and shift commander. I was the commander of the Multi-jurisdictional Piedmont Drug Task Force. I worked with the Barrow County Board of Education as the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer). Of all the positions that I held at the police department, the D.A.R.E. officer was the most rewarding.
I have received the basic, intermediate, advanced, supervision and management certification from the Peace Officer Standard and Training Council of Georgia. I have obtained over 1,900 hours of advanced training in law related topics. I have an associate degree in applied technology degree in personal and public services. I have over 300 hours of judicial education from the National Judicial Council and from the University Of Georgia Institute Of Continuing Judicial Education.
I am associated with the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. I have served on its Violence in Georgia Committee for many years and in the past year I have served as the co-chair of that committee. I have been asked by the incoming president to serve as the committee chairman for the coming year. The committee has completed a domestic violence bench book. The bench book has uniform procedures for handling domestic cases. This book will aid all magistrates in the State of Georgia. The council is currently waiting for the bench book to come back from the publishers.
I have also been appointed by the president to serve as a member at-large for the executive council.
With the economy getting tighter, what would you propose trimming from the budget and why?
I look at my budget on a monthly basis and only request the amount of money that is needed to run the office. The budget from 2006-2007 was cut approximately $5,000. There is no increase in the 2007-2008 budget and the 2008-2009 budget.
What are the three biggest issues that Barrow County must address over the next five years?
Speaking from the judicial standpoint the three biggest issues are:
•As the population grows we have many different nationalities in the county, and as they come to court qualified interpreters are need to ensure that their constitutional rights are preserved.
•Addressing pre-trial release and jail alternatives for non-violent offenders.
•The prompt scheduling and resolutions of civil and criminal actions.
What new services, if any, do you propose if elected to office? How do you propose to pay for this service?
We have implemented a new community service program with three non-profit organizations that will enable all non-profit organizations to have an agency to contact to request workers who are required to complete community service.
There is no charge for this service. The courts and the community benefit from the service organizations. Not only do the courts and community benefit, the workers also benefit by training, job placement and educational opportunities. If there is a charge for the educational opportunity, the defendant will be responsible.
If elected, what will you do to increase efficiency in your office and provide better service to taxpayers?
All civil actions have a court date within 60 days of filing if an answer is filed. Customers are served personally when they come into the office. All dockets are printed and made available to the customers. Brochures and printed court forms on how to use the court services are also available.
