Judge Tammy Long Hayward grants multiple record-sealing requests, schedules April hearing on plea-withdrawal discovery

Judge Tammy Long Hayward presided over the March 16, 2026 Clayton County State Court virtual calendar and signed orders granting multiple requests to restrict and seal court records while scheduling follow-up steps on outstanding discovery and plea-withdrawal motions.

The judge opened the 10 a.m. calendar and addressed a motion to seal in case 2025 CR03453 involving Miss Brunson, noting that “battery family violence . . . generally that's not sealable” unless there is an agreement with the state; the court said it would review the statute and inform the defendant by order. Mr. Brooks, speaking for the state, cited the state's position under statute 35337.

The court granted a motion to modify special conditions by consent, limiting contact to “no violent harassing contact,” after Mr. Brooks and defense counsel reported a negotiated agreement and the judge asked that the signed order be filed electronically for her signature.

The calendar included several motions to seal that the court allowed and instructed the clerk to implement. The judge granted a sealing/restriction order for Terry Curtis Franklin and told Franklin the court would prepare and send an order; the clerk will then coordinate with IT to remove restricted records from public searches. The court likewise ordered restriction and sealing for Joshua Elijah Hill (traffic; marijuana, 1 oz or less) after the state reported no objection and noted an earlier improper denial in October 2025. The court also granted restriction/sealing for James Sanders Fiser and indicated attorneys should file a proposed order or accept the court's standard form.

On a motion to withdraw a guilty plea in the case involving Tique Renard Grant, defense counsel Attorney Hicks requested discovery, and the state said it had sent a police report and accusation but did not have video in its file. The judge directed defense to seek any body-cam or patrol video from the arresting agency; she offered to sign subpoenas if necessary. Because discovery remains outstanding, the court set argument on the motion for April 13, 2026, unless the parties resolve the discovery earlier.

The court addressed logistics for in-custody pleas and plea-in-absentia. For a defendant in state custody seeking credit for time served, the judge authorized emailing plea paperwork that can be printed, notarized locally and returned electronically; she said the court will accept notarized scans or photos and then enter the adjudication so it shows as closed on future GCIC runs.

The judge also discussed deportation-related absence for Jorge Cortez Banea and said the state would seek a bench warrant pending confirmation of deportation; confirmation (for example, documentation from DHS/ICE) would be required before the court would consider a null pros treatment. For another matter, the parties requested a pretrial omnibus hearing prior to trial because a GBI witness may be needed; the court asked for a particularized motion within 10 days.

The morning calendar concluded with instructions for attorneys to send agreed orders to the judge's staff attorney for signature and reminders that sealing/restriction processing with the clerk's office and IT typically takes a couple of weeks. The court adjourned the morning calendar and continued remaining business to the 1 p.m. calendar.

The judge and court staff repeatedly emphasized procedure over merits: obtaining discovery, filing proposed orders when appropriate, and using subpoenas to secure evidence that the state does not retain. The court did not make findings on the merits of plea-withdrawal claims; it set deadlines and methods for counsel to secure the materials necessary to press or oppose those motions.