Clayton County State Court arraignment: pleas accepted, probation ordered and multiple bench warrants issued

Judge Tammy Long Hayward presided over the Clayton County State Court virtual arraignment calendar in January 2025, accepting pleas in two matters, ordering probation and restitution in one, releasing at least one defendant, and issuing bench warrants and bond forfeitures for several absent defendants.

The arraignment calendar is the first court appearance for cases that will proceed to trial, plea or other resolution, the judge told participants at the start of the session. "Everyone has the right to have an attorney to represent you. If you cannot afford an attorney, please let me know when I call your name and we discuss your case," Judge Hayward said.

Key outcomes

- State of Georgia v. Naeem Mujahid Moffett (case 2022cr00074): The court accepted a negotiated resolution in which the state moved to nolle prosequi (dismiss) count 1 and the defendant entered a no-contest (nolo) plea to count 2 (license not on person and giving a false name, address or date of birth). The factual recitation by the state placed the incident on July 27, 2021, at 681 Flint River, Jonesboro, Georgia, during a road safety check; the defendant initially gave a false name to conceal an outstanding warrant. The state's offer was count 1 nolle pros and count 2 with a $100 bond to be suspended; Judge Hayward accepted the plea to…