Wednesday, March 21, 2001

Fayette not yet to become a judicial district By JOHN MUNFORD jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com Despite rumors to the contrary, there appears to be no current push to make Fayette County its own judicial circuit. State Sen. Greg Hecht, D-Jonesboro, said last week that he has not heard of such a move being prepared. Hecht, who serves on the Senate's Judiciary Committee, said the legislation would have to be sponsored by Fayette's delegation and there's not enough time left for it to occur in this legislative session. Not only that, but even after the legislation could be passed, it might take another year for the plan to take effect, because special funding would be necessary, Hecht added, for a separate district attorney's office and likely another judge or two. Hecht said removing Fayette from the current Griffin Judicial Circuit would require approval from officials in Spalding, Pike and Upson counties also. District Attorney Bill McBroom said he doesn't think there is enough of a caseload in the civil division to justify creating a new judicial district just to serve Fayette. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page