Clayton County State Court disposes arraignment calendar; pleas, no-pros and bond forfeitures recorded

Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened the Feb. 13, 2025, 10 a.m. arraignment calendar in Clayton County State Court, Courtroom 304, and reminded defendants of their rights and the plea options available in criminal and traffic cases. "Everyone is entitled to have an attorney represent you," Hayward said, and she explained the differences between a not guilty plea, a guilty plea and a nolo contendere ("nolo") plea.

The arraignment calendar resolved dozens of mostly traffic-related matters. Several defendants were allowed to enter negotiated pleas or nolo pleas, the court accepted multiple no-prosecution recommendations from the state, and judges announced bench-warrant bond forfeitures where defendants were not present. The session also produced at least one pretrial-intervention referral and multiple monetary sentences and probation terms tied to defensive-driving coursework.

Most newsworthy outcomes included pleas and sentences in several traffic cases. Talia Keanna Murray entered a nolo plea to a speeding charge (21–25 mph over the limit); Hayward accepted the plea and ordered 12 months of probation, a $300 fine (total $444 with surcharges) and completion of the Department of Driver Services driver-improvement course "Alive at 25"; the court said probation would terminate on proof of course completion and payment. "Once you finish paying the fines... and you submit the paperwork for having taken the alive at 25 course ... your probation will terminate," Hayward told Murray.

Alexis Janae Moses resolved a multi-count case by pleading guilty to a count described as reckless driving and to a separate count of following-too-close; the state moved to no-pros on several other counts and the court accepted the negotiated plea. The state said it was not seeking restitution at that time. Hayward accepted the plea and imposed 12 months of probation and fines (the court described the $300 fine as totaling $444 with surcharges) and instructed Moses to obtain the driver-improvement certificate from the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

Quintel Lamar Hughes entered a negotiated mix of pleas: a nolo plea to improper passing (count 1), the state moved to no-pros on the no-license count (count 2), and Hughes pleaded guilty to a speeding count (11–15 mph over the limit). The court accepted those dispositions, imposed a fine on count 3 and noted instructions for the defendant to retrieve any posted bond refund at the jail after completing administrative steps.

Jason Winters pleaded nolo to a following-too-close charge; the state agreed to dismiss other counts. The court accepted the plea, imposed a $100 fine ($151.50 with surcharges), and arranged for any previously issued bench warrant to be set aside so the defendant could be escorted back to Courtroom 205 for any remaining business.

Frederick Martez Love entered a guilty plea to a speeding charge (11–15 mph over the limit) and no-insurance charge; the court accepted the plea and imposed a $50 fine plus court costs.

The court referred Bruce Kirby Bates to the pretrial-intervention program after the solicitor determined Bates was eligible; the judge ordered a status reset about two months out so the court could confirm enrollment.

Multiple cases were handled administratively or marked no pros: Derek Denzel Freeman, Christian Guerra, Jacob Korn, Rod Vincent James Jackson, Armando Vivaldo Ortega and others were reported as "no pros" and released. Several defendants were excused after waivers were filed (for example, Justin Jamal Willis). Several defendants were noted as present and granted continuances or given instructions for probation intake and payment through the traffic court window on the court's second floor.

The judge also called bench-warrant bond forfeiture for multiple absent defendants on the calendar; those callouts occurred when the court could not locate a defendant on the Zoom calendar and the state requested bond forfeiture. Examples named on the calendar for bench-warrant bond forfeiture included Made Jerusalem Aguilar Cruz, Carrie Garland Hamilton, Ontario Lamar Porter and others the court listed as last calls for forfeiture.

Hayward closed with practical instructions for defendants about paying fines and updating contact information with the State Court Clerk ("Clayton County State Court Clerk" at the Justice Center, 9151 Tara Boulevard). She reiterated the limits of the court's ability to advise on certain collateral consequences such as commercial driver's-license effects and immigration consequences for noncitizen defendants.

Cases at a glance (selected dispositions announced on the Feb. 13, 2025, 10 a.m. calendar): - Derek Lee Beatty — not guilty plea entered; defense counsel Lister Holt & Dennis to assist; next court date to be mailed (defendant instructed to update address with the clerk). - Talia Keanna Murray — nolo plea accepted for speeding (21–25 mph); 12 months probation; $300 fine (total $444 with surcharges); required completion of "Alive at 25" defensive-driving course; bench warrant set aside where applicable. - Alexis Janae Moses — guilty pleas accepted (reckless driving and following too close); no pros on several counts; 12 months probation recommended; fines/surcharges as stated by court; state not seeking restitution at that time. - Quintel Lamar Hughes — nolo (improper passing), no pros (no-license), guilty (speeding 11–15 mph); fines imposed; bond-refund instructions provided. - Jason Winters — nolo to following-too-close; other counts dismissed; $100 fine ($151.50 with surcharges); bench-warrant set-aside and escort back to Courtroom 205 arranged. - Frederick Martez Love — guilty plea accepted on speeding; $50 fine plus costs ($83.25 including costs). - Bruce Kirby Bates — found eligible for pretrial intervention; referral submitted; case reset about 60 days. - Derek Denzel Freeman; Christian Guerra; Jacob Korn; Rod Vincent James Jackson; Armando Vivaldo Ortega — cases no-prossed (dismissed) per state filings. - Multiple absent defendants — bench-warrant bond forfeiture announced (examples: Made Jerusalem Aguilar Cruz, Carrie Garland Hamilton, Ontario Lamar Porter, Jamal Devon Hillary, Lee Otis Dickens, Jeremiah Isaiah Lot, Ronnie Edward Revere, Dasia Denene Wilkes among others).

The court advised defendants to use the State Court Clerk's office (First Floor, Justice Center) to change addresses or obtain paperwork; traffic fines and payments are processed at the traffic court window on the Second Floor.

Ending: The calendar contained primarily traffic and misdemeanor arraignments and was concluded and reset where needed. Defendants were repeatedly reminded of the limited protections available to unrepresented litigants and of collateral consequences the court cannot advise on directly (immigration or commercial-licensing impacts).