By Terry Dickson, Georgia Times Union (Published 1-10-12)
BRUNSWICK - State Attorney General Sam Olens has appointed a special prosecutor in the case of former Superior Court Judge Amanda F. Williams. Olens selected District Attorney Paul L. Howard Jr. of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit on Monday to determine if criminal charges should be brought against Williams.
Special prosecutor named in Williams misconduct case
The Judicial Qualifications Commission accused Williams in November of 14 counts of unethical conduct on the bench. In addition to violating defendants’ rights, the complaint said she gave favorable treatment to friends and family members who practiced in her court, jailed defendants indefinitely and berated lawyers and others in court.
Williams resigned Jan. 2 before any action was taken. Had the commission found Williams violated judicial canons, the Georgia Supreme Court could have removed her from the bench.
The commission dismissed the complaints against her in exchange for her resignation and her agreement to never seek any judicial position.
However, one of the complaints accused Williams of making false statements to commission investigators, which is a crime. A felony conviction could mean that Williams would lose her $74,000-a-year pension and her license to practice law.
A special prosecutor was appointed because District Attorney Jackie Johnson of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit had disqualified herself in the case because of a conflict of interest.
Williams and her attorney, John Ossick, could not be reached for comment late Monday.
Williams resigned Jan. 2 before any action was taken. Had the commission found Williams violated judicial canons, the Georgia Supreme Court could have removed her from the bench.
The commission dismissed the complaints against her in exchange for her resignation and her agreement to never seek any judicial position.
However, one of the complaints accused Williams of making false statements to commission investigators, which is a crime. A felony conviction could mean that Williams would lose her $74,000-a-year pension and her license to practice law.
A special prosecutor was appointed because District Attorney Jackie Johnson of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit had disqualified herself in the case because of a conflict of interest.
Williams and her attorney, John Ossick, could not be reached for comment late Monday.
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