Following his May 24, 2022 election to the office, James Dunn took the oath of office as State Court Judge, Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit, at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.
Dunn will be filling the seat held by Judge Leslie Maddox, who did not seek re-election.
Dunn earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1996 and a law degree from Mercer University in 2000.
State Court is a trial court of limited jurisdiction with jurisdiction over all misdemeanor violations, including traffic offenses and all civil actions, regardless of amount claimed, unless the superior court has exclusive jurisdiction. State Court is also authorized to hold hearings for, and issuance of, search and arrest warrants; and for preliminary hearings. Constitutional authority to review lower court decisions as provided by statute. The Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit has two State Court judges.