Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Caldwell to run again for Superior Court judgeship Superior Court Judge Johnnie L. Caldwell Jr. has qualified to run for re-election to the post he has held since 1995. Caldwell, who lives in Thomaston, serves the Griffin Judicial Circuit, which includes Fayette, Spalding, Upson and Pike counties. He has disposed of more than 7,600 criminal cases and levied fines of more than $11 million; he also has disposed of more than 5,500 civil cases in the circuit. Caldwell is being opposed by Fayette attorney John Mrosek, who lost a challenge to Caldwell’s judgeship four years ago. Prior to becoming judge, Caldwell was district attorney for the Griffin circuit for over 14 years. As DA, Caldwell created the first victim witness assistance program in the circuit and he also had the highest conviction rate in the entire state. Before serving as district attorney, Caldwell was in private practice, representing clients in civil and criminal cases. He also has experience as a former county attorney. Caldwell currently serves as a member of the Uniform Rule Committee of the Superior Courts of the State of Georgia and as a member of the state’s Superior Courts Sentence Review Committee. Caldwell received his Jurist Doctorate degree from the Walter F. Georgia School of Law at Mercer University after graduating from the University of Georgia with a major in accounting. He also played on the UGA football team. Caldwell has been a Sunday School teacher for more than 27 years and is a deacon at First Baptist Church in Thomaston. Caldwell and his wife, Jan, have six children and four grandchildren.