Republic Of Georgia Judges Observe Cobb Murder Trial

WEST COBB, GA --- Georgia is on the mind of the Cobb County Superior Court this week. Three judges from the Republic of Georgia and the chairman of the Georgia Common Courts are visiting Cobb this week to observe a jury trial, the court announced.

The visit to Judge Ann Harris' courtroom is part of a joint effort between several agencies, including the Georgian judiciary, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the State of Georgia’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

The program aims to help the Georgian judiciary in legal and jury trial management. Court Judge Jim Bodiford was instrumental in putting together a team that went to the Republic of Georgia in February to observe court proceedings.

In addition to Judge Harris, Senior Superior Court Judge Jack Partain, State Court Judge Ben Studdard, and Mike Cuccaro, AOC assistant director, made up the team.

Now, the Georgians are in Cobb to observe a murder trial before Judge Harris, then travel to McDonough to observe court proceedings before Judge Studdard. “We can try to explain to folks how we as judges manage our court business, and in particular our jury trials, but a real-life demonstration, like a picture, is worth a thousand words,” states Judge Harris. “It’s a bit like the difference between going to law school and actually practicing law.”

Image courtesy of Cobb Superior Court