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JUDGE PHELPS TO HEAR GEORGIA SUPREME COURT CASE

​Atlanta, Dec. 6, 2017 – Superior Court Judge R. Chris Phelps of the Northern Judicial Circuit has been designated to serve in place of Justice Britt C. Grant in the appeal of The State v. Davis (S17G1333). The Supreme Court of Georgia will hear arguments in the case on Dec. 11, 2017 during its 10:00 A.M. session. In this Chatham County case, the State is appealing a Georgia Court of Appeals decision that allows a convicted child molester, who was later pardoned by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, to be released from the requirement that he register as a sex offender. In addition to hearing arguments, Judge Phelps will participate in the Court’s decision.

Judge Phelps, 65, was appointed to the Superior Court of the Northern Judicial Circuit by Gov. Nathan Deal on March 4, 2015. The Northern Judicial Circuit includes Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison and Oglethorpe counties. In May 2016, he was elected to a full six-year term. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was engaged in private practice for 38 years.

Judge Phelps is a native of Elberton, GA and graduated magna cum laude from the University of West Georgia in 1973. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1976.

Judge Phelps represented the attorneys of the Northern Judicial Circuit on the State Bar Board of Governors for 32 years. In 2016, he was presented with the State Bar of Georgia’s Distinguished Service Award. He has been a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 127 in Elberton for 39 years, during which time 51 of the Troop’s scouts have earned the Eagle Scout Award.

Judge Phelps has been married to his high school sweetheart, Pamelia Jo Gaines Phelps, for 43 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.

(Designated judges are appointed when a justice must recuse himself or herself from a particular case. The Supreme Court of Georgia maintains a list of select judges from around the state and when the need arises, the Court appoints the next judge on the list.)

Thank you for your continued support and confidence!

Judge Phelps has no opposition in the 2020 judicial election and will serve another term beginning in January 2021.