JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION
State of Georgia

Open Meeting Minutes
Atlanta, GA

February 21, 2020

This meeting of the Investigative Panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission of the State of Georgia was held at the The Methodist Home for Children & Youth in Macon. Mr. Pope Langdale chaired the meeting and Ms. Phyllis Motes served as Recording Secretary.

Commission Members Present:

Mr. Pope Langdale
Judge Stacey Hydrick
Mr. Bob Barr
Judge Verda Colvin
Mr. Warren Selby

Others Present:

Mr. Chuck Boring – Director
Mr. Will Lasker – Staff Attorney
Ms. Phyllis Motes – Case Manager
Lance Alford – Investigator

Agenda/Minutes:

Chairman Langdale called the meeting to order and determined that a quorum was present.

Upon motion and second, the Minutes of the January 24, 2020 Open Meeting were approved.

Chairman’s Comments:

Chairman Langdale began the meeting by stating that he has received numerous compliments regarding Mr. Boring and his recent judicial presentations. He congratulated Mr. Boring for his outstanding work.

Chairman Langdale then thanked the staff for the new layout of the docket. He said that it made it much easier to review

Chairman Langdale then stated that Mr. Hyde and Judge McBurney had contemplated attending the meeting today on behalf of the Hearing Panel, but they decided they would wait until next month when it was being held in Atlanta.

Chairman Langdale then led a brief discussion with the Panel regarding the Mack Crawford matter, the recent plea entered by Crawford in the criminal case, and the steps that the Panel had taken. A discussion was had regarding what, if any, public statement, the
Panel would make regarding the status of the JQC case. This discussion then led to a discussion regarding suggested legislative changes relevant to JQC Rule 15. Chairman Langdale suggested that Mr. Boring and Mr. Lasker work on this project and present it to the Hearing Panel.

Chairman Langdale reminded the Panel that the rules regarding confidentiality are different after formal charges are filed against a judge. Chairman Langdale then turned the meeting over to the Director.

Director’s Reports:

Mr. Boring began by giving a legislative update. He stated that the Judicial Qualifications Commission had retained the same budget
for the past three years. Mr. Boring discussed the increased number of complaints that were received last year, and he stated that we are
currently on track to receive 600 complaints this year. With those statistics in mind, Mr. Boring stated that he recently has made presentations to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee for an increase in our annual budget. He stated that the budget increase has passed
the House, and he looks for a positive outcome.

Mr. Boring then asked the Panel for their input on holding the June meeting in conjunction with the Annual Georgia State Bar meeting
in Destin, Florida.

Discussion following among the Panel regarding same. It was decided that the Panel would hold their June meeting during the Annual Georgia State Bar meeting. Further details will follow as they are finalized.

Mr. Boring then briefly discussed the monthly meeting schedule for the remainder of the year. He reminded the Panel to notify him if
they are unable to attend any meeting in advance if possible. Panel attendance ultimately determines whether guests will be invited to
the meeting and the ability to vote on some matters.

Mr. Boring then directed the Panel’s attention to the recently revised Record Retention Policy.

A brief discussion following among the Panel regarding the Record Retention Policy.

Mr. Boring then directed the Panel’s attention to the current Financial Report. He stated that the Judicial Qualifications Commission is doing well, but we need additional funds in the budget.

The Panel then discussed the election intervention committee and its duties.

There being no old or new business for discussion, the Open Meeting was adjourned.

These minutes were approved by the Judicial Qualifications Commission on March 20, 2020.
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Pope Langdale, Chairman
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Charles P. Boring, Director