Judge revokes bond, sentences Willard Walker after new DUI conviction

Clayton County State Court Judge Tammy Long Hayward revoked bond for Willard Kirkland Walker on Aug. 25, 2025, after the state presented a certified conviction arising from a DUI in another jurisdiction and asked the court to revoke bond. The judge ordered Walker taken into custody and imposed jail time, consecutive probation and several special conditions.

Why it matters: The court found that Walker, who prosecutors said had multiple DUI convictions, posed a continuing danger to the public. The case led to immediate custody and a sentence that combined a jail term, treatment requirements and long probationary conditions intended to reduce the risk of further impaired driving.

The state told the court that it had filed a motion to revoke bond and submitted certified documents, including a prior conviction from Rockdale County and a conviction after the incident under review. Assistant district attorney William Tipton asked the court to revoke bond and keep Walker in custody pending resolution. Tipton said the bond conditions required Walker not violate Georgia law and that Walker had since been convicted of another DUI.

Walker’s attorney, Nathaniel J. Middleton, acknowledged the convictions and said the defense had pursued placement in an out-of-county treatment program (Cobb County) and disputed that there had been an unqualified “offer and acceptance” with the state. Middleton asked the court to preserve appellate rights and urged leniency, pointing to cooperation and prior steps his client had taken.

Judge Hayward said the court had given repeated opportunities for treatment and monitoring and concluded Walker’s conduct showed he was a risk on the road. “Mr. Walker is a chronic DUI driver. He drives while he is under the influence of that 1. That is a risk to everybody on the road, including himself,” she said. The judge added that repeatedly driving under the influence could result in someone being injured or killed and the offender having to live with that consequence.

The court’s orders (as announced in court):
- Motion to revoke bond: granted; Walker taken into custody.
- Count 1 (DUI less safe): 12 months, with 180 days to serve; balance probated.
- Special conditions for probation on count 1: completion of a DUI risk-reduction course; no alcohol or illicit drugs during probation; random alcohol/drug testing; substance-abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment; two community-support meetings per week (for cessation of addiction); 240 hours of community service; $1,000 fine; testing at each probation report.
- Count 2: 12 months consecutive, to be served (probationary conditions to run as ordered).
- Interlock device: required after the statutory suspension period once license privileges resume.

The judge rejected the defense’s argument that Cobb County’s evaluation conclusively showed no need for treatment, saying she did not know Cobb’s assessment metrics and that the records and Walker’s history indicated ongoing danger. The court admitted state exhibits of convictions and sentencing documents into the record and relied on them in reaching its decision.

The court also addressed logistical needs following custody: defense counsel advised that Walker takes prescribed medication; the judge instructed that jail medical staff be provided with labeled prescription bottles and a copy of the prescriptions so medication could be administered while Walker is detained.

Walker will remain in custody pending transportation to the Clayton County jail; the judge instructed counsel to confer about any remaining procedural matters and to ensure the defendant’s medication is provided to jail medical staff.

Sources: Proceedings of the Clayton County State Court arraignment and jail calendar on Aug. 25, 2025.