Wednesday, January 1, 2003
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Wednesday, January 1, 2003 |
Fayette's new superior court judge looking forward to challenge behind the benchBy MONROE
ROARK
Fayette County's newest Superior Court Judge takes office January 1st to fill the remaining two years on Chief Judge Ben J. Miller Jr.'s unexpired term. Tommy Hankinson, who has been practicing in the Griffin Judicial Circuit for the past 25 years, admits it will be a challenge, but it's one he's looking forward to. Hankinson is new to holding public office. While he has been a legal fixture in Thomaston, his new office will be in Griffin where Miller's was. "I just really think they need a judge there," Hankinson said. Hankinson will start getting his feet wet the first week of January with hearings here in Fayette County. He was one of three finalists for the position including attorney Drew Whalen of Griffin and Fayette County State Court Judge Fletcher Sams. "I got to looking at the nominations and I thought I was the oldest person on there," Hankinson said. "It made me feel like a senior citizen." Hankinson said Whalen and Sams were both very gracious to him after he was selected for the post by outgoing Gov. Roy Barnes. Hankinson is quick to admit he doesn't have any experience as a judge, but he's ready to learn and he's seen much as a practicing attorney. He will attend Superior Court Judge training in January. "I'm going to need a lot of help and support," Hankinson said. Referring to Judge Sams, Hankinson joked "at least he knows how to put his robe on." Hankinson supported Sams' campaign when Sams ran for district attorney before being elected as Fayette's state court judge. Hankinson said he might not have run for the office due to a lack of political ambition, and he may not run for election once his two years term ends. "I'll have to see, I may not like this job," he said, adding that he was very grateful for the opportunity. Hankinson, who graduated from law school at the University of Georgia in 1973, has held a variety of other jobs, serving as a police officer at the U.S. Capitol in Washington and spending one summer as a radio operator for the Georgia State Patrol. "I'm probably the only judge who's ever been a gravedigger," Hankinson joked, adding seriously that he is "looking forward to meeting a lot of the folks" in Fayette County.
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