Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Chief Justice Nels S. D. Peterson urges lawmakers to defend rule of law, backs nonpartisan probate judge amendment
Summary
In a joint session address, Chief Justice Nels S. D. Peterson said Georgia’s judiciary is 'strong' but fragile, urged passage of House Resolution 251 to end partisan probate judge elections, highlighted rising caseloads and pilot programs to speed reunification for children, and requested funding to enhance judicial security.
Chief Justice Nels S. D. Peterson told a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly that the state’s judiciary is "strong" but under pressure and called on legislators to defend the rule of law. "No person is above the law's requirements or beneath its protections," Peterson said, urging lawmakers not to "reflexively question the court's legitimacy" when they disagree with outcomes.
Peterson framed his remarks around judicial independence and the duties of both branches of government. He warned that "the rule of law will not survive when the legitimacy of judicial decisions and those who make them is routinely questioned," and counseled against pushing judges beyond the limits of their legal authority: "The rule of law is not rule by judges."
The chi…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
