Is Fayette County ready for its own judicial circuit?

That’s the issue the county’s staff will be studying over the next few weeks as the Fayette County Commission gave the go-ahead Monday morning for a financial study of splitting away from the Griffin Judicial Circuit.

Such a decision would require legislative approval, with the governor appointing any judges for the new circuit.

Interim County Administrator Jack Krakeel told the board the county was currently spending more than $5 million a year on court services.

“When you split a circuit, it costs the state money, but I’m interested in what it would cost the Fayette County taxpayers,” said Commissioner Eric Maxwell, who led the discussion.

Maxwell said a committee should be formed to study the process, if the financial analysis shows it would be a good deal for the county.

“We would probably have a need for two superior court judges,” Maxwell added.

In another court related issue, the board will also study whether the magistrate judge system should be overhauled. Currently, there are four part-time elected magistrate judges.

“We need to look at other alternatives, such as whether we should have full-time magistrates,” Maxwell said.

During budget hearings, a proposal was unveiled that called for the county to go to two full-time judges that would be paid approximately $80,000 per year. Currently, the part-time judges are paid $18,000 per year.

The staff pledged to study the issue and bring it back before the board.

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