BRUNSWICK, Ga. --- A few days after the death of Superior Court Judge Stephen L. Jackson, the other judges in the Waycross Judicial Circuit have taken on his workload.
Superior Court Judge Dwayne H. Gillis said he conducted civil hearings Wednesday and will conduct criminal hearings today that were on Judge Jackson's calendar in Pierce County.
"It's just a shock ... a terrible loss," Judge Gillis said of Judge Jackson's death Saturday after an apparent cardiac arrest. Judge Jackson, 60, had collapsed at his Blackshear home Christmas Day.
Judge Jackson, the chief judge of the six-county circuit, was highly regarded by lawyers and his fellow judges, Judge Gillis said.
Judge Gillis, the most senior of the sitting judges, will become chief judge of the circuit.
The Ware County Board of Elections said Gov. Sonny Perdue will appoint someone to complete the remainder of Judge Jackson's four-year term, which expires Dec. 31, but, in the meantime, the work continues.
"We've got to deal with it," Judge Gillis said.
And it's not just the trials and hearings. Letters come into judges' offices, motions and briefs are submitted, and orders must be reviewed and signed.
Judge Gillis said he visited Judge Jackson's office Wednesday to handle some of the work. Superior Court Judge Mike Boggs and Senior Superior Court Judge Clarence D. Blount are also handling some of the pending work.
The judges in the circuit can also ask state court administrators to appoint other senior judges to assist, he said.
"No one of us could take on that full load," Judge Gillis said.
Nonetheless, the process is under way to continue the work of the court, he said.
"As far as the public is concerned, I hope this is seamless. This will be dealt with in good order," he said.
No major trials are expected to be delayed because of the judge's death, District Attorney Rick Currie said.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
