Clayton County arraignments: pleas, PTI offers and bench-warrant forfeitures on April 3 calendar

Clayton County State Court Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened a virtual arraignment calendar April 3, 2025, and walked defendants through their rights, plea options and potential penalties before the court took pleas, continued matters and granted forfeitures.

"The arraignment calendar is possibly the first time that you have had the opportunity for your case to be heard before the trial court," Judge Tammy Long Hayward told people on the call, emphasizing the right to counsel and the Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate oneself.

The most immediately consequential outcomes included a mix of plea acceptances, suspended fines, probation terms and orders to forfeit weapons. The court accepted negotiated pleas and dismissals in several cases: the state entered no-bill or no-pros motions in some files; multiple defendants were granted continuances; and bench-warrant bond forfeitures were ordered for defendants who did not appear.

Key outcomes and short-term directions

• Felicia M. Knight (2021CR05989): Judge Hayward accepted a no-contest (nolo) plea to one count (count 2). The court crossed count 1; count 2 carries a $100 fine (total with surcharges $151.50). The judge gave up to 60 days to pay and instructed Knight to send required contact information through the court chat so the sentencing paperwork could be emailed.

• Britney Marie Larkins (2022CR01964): Larkins entered a no-contest plea to an erratic lane-change charge (count 2); count 1 (distracted driving) was nol-prossed based on a hands-free device photo. The court assessed a $100 fine (total with surcharges $151.50) and directed payment at the traffic window on the second floor.

• Isaac Imetasi (2022CR07066): Imetasi pleaded nolo to a no-taillights offense (count 2); counts 1 and 3 were nol-prossed. The court accepted a suspended $100 fine in light of time served (86 days) and released him.

• Tijay (Tige) Charles Thompson (2022CR01085): Thompson pled guilty to speeding more than 35 mph over the limit. Judge Hayward accepted…