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PTC attorney named new juvenile court judge for circuit

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@thecitizennews.com

A veteran “part-time” juvenile court judge has been named to the full-time position in the Griffin Judicial Circuit, which includes Fayette County.

The selection of local attorney Tarey Schell was announced by the circuit’s four Superior Court Judges Wednesday afternoon. Schell replaces retiring Juvenile Court Judge Ronald Cook.

Schell has been serving as the associate juvenile court judge for about five years and has seen the part-time role grow into holding court four days a week at times. He has also served as an attorney in private practice, a role he will abandon to take the juvenile bench full-time.

Previously, Schell also prosecuted cases in juvenile court as a member of the district attorney’s office.

Schell announced that he is appointing Thomaston attorney Ben Miller Jr. to replace him as associate juvenile court judge. Miller has been serving as a pro hac juvenile court judge hearing cases in Upson County as needed for several years.

Schell noted that Miller has done that work for free, fulfilling a significant service to the court. He also said that Miller’s location in Thomaston, where he is in private practice, will also help cover the circuit’s cases more efficiently.

Miller has also served as an attorney representing the Department of Family and Children Services in juvenile court matters also.

Schell admitted he was choked up when he spoke to a courtroom of supporters, including his wife, daughter and grandchildren.

“You don’t realize how humble I feel that these gentlemen here have selected me,” Schell said.

Chief Superior Court Judge Paschal A. English Jr. noted that all four Superior Court judges interviewed the eight or nine candidates for the position. Some of the candidates offered to withdraw their candidacy after learning Schell was in the running, English said. The other candidates said if they weren’t selected for the post, they wished Schell would be chosen, the chief judge added.

That speaks highly of Schell’s reputation, English said.

“We think he has done an outstanding job for us,” noted Superior Court Judge Johnnie L. Caldwell Jr.

Schell was also lauded for his commitment to children of the community in his position as associate juvenile court judge.

“We know that’s a commitment that comes straight from your heart and we appreciate that,” said Superior Court Judge Christopher C. Edwards.

“You were actually the pick of the litter,” noted Superior Court Judge Tommy R. Hankinson.

Hankinson noted the high case load maintained by the local juvenile court, and other juvenile courts with lower case loads have two full-time judges. Hankinson said he would help work towards convincing officials of the need to create a second full-time juvenile court judge.

Schell, of Peachtree City, has been married to his wife, Priscilla, for 43 years. They have four children and eight grandchildren.

Schell is a graduate of the Georgia State University School of Law and is a retired lieutenant colonel of the United States Army.