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Judge Hayward processes March 12 arraignment calendar in Clayton County State Court; several pleas accepted, some cases dismissed
Summary
At a March 12 arraignment in Clayton County State Court (Courtroom 304), Judge Tammy Long Hayward explained defendants’ rights and resolved numerous cases: several traffic matters were fined or nol prossed, Raquel Paige and Faith Marriott accepted negotiated pleas, Damian Mills pleaded guilty to a reduced speeding charge, and Geron Hajj and Elba Plazuala Mahia received first-offender/family-violence dispositions.
Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened the March 12, 2026 arraignment calendar in Courtroom 304 and walked defendants through plea options, the right to counsel and the consequences of pleas, stressing that self-representation often leaves defendants at a disadvantage.
The judge began by telling attendees that the arraignment “may be the first time that you have seen your case before the trial judge” and reviewed the three plea options: not guilty, guilty and nolo contendere. She repeatedly urged defendants to ensure their Zoom display shows their full first and last name and to use the chat to provide contact information to court-appointed attorneys when needed.
Several matters were resolved on the spot. Taurus A. Williams pleaded guilty to a no-license charge and no contest to a related count; the court imposed a $500 fine on the guilty count (total $737.50 with statutory charges) and granted 60 days to pay. Raquel Michelle Paige entered a negotiated no-contest plea in a school-zone speeding matter; the court accepted a $300…
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