Judge Hayward sentences Raquan Dixon to concurrent 12-month terms, issues stern warning about repeated family-violence contacts

Judge Tammy Long Hayward on March 25 sentenced Raquan Lamar Monte Dixon to concurrent 12-month terms after Dixon pleaded guilty in three Clayton County cases involving the same victim.

The charges addressed during the jail calendar proceedings included simple battery-family-violence, criminal trespass, and battery-family-violence. The state presented factual bases that described repeated incidents at 1018 Gardenwood Drive in Clayton County in 2023 and 2024, including one allegation that the defendant "did pick up the victim, Ms. Jones, and [was] throwing her aggressively," the prosecutor told the court.

Judge Hayward accepted the pleas and imposed 12-month terms to serve on each case to run concurrently. She merged redundant counts where appropriate and instructed the sheriff’s office to calculate credit for time Dixon has already served in custody. The court also required a no-contact order with the identified victim and warned that any post-conviction contact would prompt immediate further action.

Why this matters: The court emphasized both the pattern of repeated domestic incidents and the risk to the victim, framing compliance with no-contact and probation requirements as central to community safety and Dixon’s future legal exposure.

Judge's admonition and enforcement posture

Judge Hayward addressed Dixon directly, referencing the multiple filings involving the same person and the danger of continuing contact. She said, "You are about to spend 12 months in jail because you don't know how to listen. You're about to spend 12 months in jail because you're obsessed with somebody and you don't know how to communicate." She continued that even a single phone call from jail to the victim would prompt her to write to the superior-court judge overseeing Dixon’s existing five-year felony probation.

The judge also described conditions at the county jail, telling Dixon the facility is overcrowded and that being in custody there could create additional personal danger. She urged him to accept custody, complete required programs, and stay away from the victim.

Prosecution and defense statements

Assistant prosecutors outlined the state’s factual bases across the three cases, noting recurring domestic disturbances at the same address and, in one incident, an actively bleeding injury caused when Dixon allegedly slammed the victim’s hand in a door.

Defense counsel Owen Lynch said Dixon is 25, has three children, and does not have a history of violent offenses outside his relationship with the victim; Lynch asked that the court apply credit for time already served.

Court orders and next steps

- Sentences: 12 months to serve on each case (concurrent). Counts that were duplicative were merged. - Credit for time served: The court will apply credit from the date of lockup; exact calculation is left to the sheriff’s office. - Conditions: No contact with the victim; probation and custody terms to be enforced by probation and the sheriff.

Provenance (transcript excerpts supporting this article)

- State factual basis describing physical actions alleged: "Officers learned ... the defendant did pick up the victim, Ms. Jones, and [was] throwing her aggressively." (Transcript segment: s=4076.74–4121.675). Reason: topicintro

- Judge's admonition on repeated contacts and potential further court action: "You're about to spend 12 months in jail because you don't know how to listen ... If I hear even about a phone conversation, I'm writing a letter to the judge who was over your 5 year felony probation." (Transcript segment: s=4410.1997–4440.89). Reason: topicfinish

Ending: The court’s orders take effect immediately; Dixon will be returned to custody and the sheriff and county probation office will implement credit and monitoring procedures.