Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arraignment Calendar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Busy Clayton County arraignment calendar yields pleas, no-pros and multiple bond forfeitures
Summary
Judge Tammy Long Hayward processed a packed Feb. 12 arraignment calendar in Clayton County State Court, accepting negotiated pleas in numerous traffic and misdemeanor cases, granting several no-prosecute dispositions, and ordering many defendants to comply with bond conditions or face revocation. The judge emphasized interpreter access, counsel conferences and the consequences of contacting alleged victims.
Judge Tammy Long Hayward presiding over the Clayton County State Court arraignment calendar on Feb. 12, 2026, processed dozens of cases in a multi-hour session, accepting pleas, appointing counsel and resolving multiple bench-warrant and bond-forfeiture matters.
The session opened with the judge explaining plea options — not guilty, guilty and Nolo — and warning defendants that convictions can carry up to 12 months in jail and $5,000 per misdemeanor offense. She repeatedly told defendants who had entered not-guilty pleas that bond conditions continue to apply and that violating those conditions, including contacting alleged victims, could lead to revocation and additional charges.
Several routine traffic matters were resolved by negotiated pleas or Nolo dispositions. Arneel (Ernie) Gonzalez Suarez pleaded guilty to unlawful use of tag and received a $100 suspended fine under the state's recommendation. Myra Caballero Valentines entered a guilty plea to a no-license charge (case 2023CR02680); the court accepted a negotiated sentence of 12 months with 10 days suspended and a $1,000 fine (plus surcharges), and gave 60 days to pay or the option of probation. Jeremy Serpius and other drivers entered Nolo or negotiated pleas with fines and standard 30–60 day payment windows explained.
The court also dealt with procedural matters: multiple defendants required interpreter services, and judges and defense attorneys used breakout-room conferences on Zoom to negotiate offers. The court appointed the law firm Lister Holt & Dennis to represent unrepresented defendants in several matters and scheduled conflict counsel where an attorney’s firm represented a co-defendant.
On pretrial interventions, the court indicated it would consider PTI (pretrial intervention) placements and reset cases where eligibility or class timing needed confirmation; Chloe O'Connor's matter was sent to a later status date to confirm PTI enrollment. Several cases were continued or reset for April 30, 2026, to allow for conflict-counsel appointments or to give defendants time to secure documents and pay fines.
Judge Hayward closed the calendar after addressing bench-warrant and bond-forfeiture requests and instructing defendants to submit contact information via the court’s chat function so the clerk could issue sentencing sheets and payment instructions. The court adjourned after confirming the remaining scheduling and appointment tasks.
