JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION
State of Georgia

Open Meeting Minutes
Atlanta, GA

Friday, February 19, 2021
9:00am

This meeting of the Investigative Panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission of the State of Georgia was held at Taylor English Duma LLP in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Pope Langdale chaired the meeting and Ms. Kristen Bertsch served as Recording Secretary.

Investigative Panel Members Present:

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

JQC Staff Members Present:

Mr. Chuck Boring, Director
Ms. Courtney Veal, Deputy Director
Mr. Lance Alford, Chief Investigator
Ms. Kristen Bertsch, Executive Administrator
Ms. Kacey Baine, Legal Intern

Chairman’s Comments:

Chairman Langdale called the meeting to order and determined that a quorum was present. Approval of the open meeting minutes from the non-regular January 22, 2021 meeting passed unanimously.

Director’s Reports:

Director Boring updated the Panel on the recent Judicial Council emergency meeting. Jury trials are scheduled to begin in March 2021 for some jurisdictions. Discussion amongst the panel about the extensive criminal case backlog that most jurisdictions are facing.

Director Boring notified the Panel that judicial employees will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination during phase 1B of the State of Georgia’s vaccination roll out.

Director Boring updated the Panel about recent budgetary topics. The JQC was granted a supplemental budget increase for fiscal year 2021. Unfortunately, most of that supplement will be used to pay out a retirement balance for a former JQC employee. However, Director Boring is hopeful that the JQC will still have the opportunity to request more funds for fiscal year 2022 in the coming months.

There being no further old or new business for discussion, the Open Meeting was adjourned at 9:30am.

These minutes were approved by the Judicial Qualifications Commission.

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Pope Langdale, Chairman

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Charles P. Boring, Director