Clayton County State Court calendar call produces multiple pleas, dismissals and continuances

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened the March 31, 2025 10 a.m. calendar call in Clayton County State Court with a run of traffic and misdemeanor matters that resulted in a mix of pleas, dismissals and continuances.

The most immediate outcomes were several negotiated pleas the court accepted: Herschel Wayne Shepherd pleaded guilty (entered a plea) to speeding 35-plus miles per hour (case 2022CR01002) with the state moving to dismiss a tint violation; the court accepted a $500 recommendation for count 1 and Shepherd paid the fine in court, the judge explained that ‘‘a speeding of 35 plus miles per hour also could subject you to what is called a super speeder’’ fee assessed by the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Rashawn Whitehead entered a no-contest plea to count 3 (no insurance) in case 2021CR08574; counts 1 and 2 were dismissed and the state recommended a $200 fine. Armand F. Gauda (case 2021CR08632) pleaded no contest to loitering; the judge suspended a $200 fine provided no new violations occur.

Other outcomes on the 10 a.m. calendar included: Juan Carlos Balcazar pleaded no-contest to an improper passing charge and the court accepted the state recommendation of a $200 fine while count 1 (no license) was nol prossed; Luis Enrique Reyes Silva pleaded no-contest to no-license in case 2021CR08977 and was fined $500 (the court advised he could pay at the Second Floor traffic window); and Davion Trevante Dickerson entered a no-contest plea to speeding 26–30 mph over the limit (case 2022CR03226) with the state recommending a $500 fine and the court granting 60 days to pay on the clerk’s email arrangement.

The court also recorded a number of dismissals and continuances: Max Spruill Jr.’s traffic case was dismissed (nolle prosequi) after the state verified his license; other matters were continued or held for further reports or discovery, including Dennis Maurice Byrd (continued pending discovery requests), Akhir Chantovic Ismailov (continuance granted on attorney request), David Michael Murphy (continued for a plea because defense counsel reported a scheduling conflict), and Taj Brandon Wedlow (announced ready subject to discovery; the defense said a discovery motion would be filed the same day). Judge Hayward repeatedly reminded pro se defendants that self-representation is generally unwise and explained procedural consequences, including loss of trial rights when entering pleas.

Court staff and attorneys also handled interpreter needs and breakout-room conferences for negotiated pleas and pretrial discussions during the virtual calendar call. Several traffic defendants were given instructions to pay fines at the courthouse traffic window on the Second Floor and were told how surcharges would increase the total owed.

The calendar call did not involve felony dispositions in superior court; Judge Hayward noted that outstanding felony detainers may prevent some defendants from receiving immediate release even after misdemeanor resolutions. The court set trial readiness or scheduled follow-up dates where appropriate and directed attorneys and clerks to file or refile discovery packets when filings had not been received by the clerk’s office.

Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened the session by reminding participants that "If you have an attorney, your attorney will speak on your behalf," and she closed the docket after the 10 a.m. matters were resolved or rescheduled. The judge instructed defendants who resolved their cases to collect paperwork and payment instructions from the Second Floor traffic window.