Leslie Abernathy Maddox

The following State Court Division A calendars will be conducted via video: probation revocation calendars for 3/31/20 & 4/7/20 and jail calendars for 4/7/20; 4/7/20; 4/16/20; 4/28/20. Please contact Gwinn Abbott at [email protected] with any concerns or questions.

The Forsyth Court Courthouse is open. The county state of emergency doesn’t close our building.

Chief Justice Harold Melton entered an order declaring a statewide judicial emergency. Pursuant to that order our State Court has modified our calendars and schedules. Should you be aware of judges violating the order, you should report it to the JQC. The number is 404-558-6940. Please note I am not on the JQC. I have made this post to share information provided by Judge Stacey Hydrick who is a member. If you have questions about how the Chief Justice’s order applies to your Division A Forsyth County State Court case please email [email protected] for civil cases and [email protected] for criminal cases. My staff and I will be working remotely most of the duration of the emergency order. Calls to our office will be returned daily. Thank you! #KeepCalmAndWashYourHands

The State Court of Forsyth County is bound by the Chief Justice’s statewide Judical emergency order which goes through April 13. Therefore, until April 14, our court will only conduct the following essential hearings: jail calendars, probation revocations of accused persons in custody and bond reviews. All other court appearances will be rescheduled. All attorneys on the criminal priority calendar call for Tuesday March 17 are to email announcements to Gwinn Pugh O'Bryant Abbott regarding whether they are ready, the time estimate and any witness conflicts.

Other than the jury trials for the weeks of March 16 & 23 being suspended, all other operations and court calendars will proceed as scheduled. Monday my staff and I will be working to establish a staggered schedule for high volume days in my courtroom. Attorneys will be notified via email of all changes in report time. My goal is to avoid having 50+ people in my courtroom at one time. All attorneys on Tuesday’s jury calendar call and pre-trial conference calendar will receive an email from Mrs. Gwinn Pugh O'Bryant Abbott giving instructions. We will take all announcements via email. Attorneys and clients should only appear if they intend to close their case Tuesday.

This morning I took the verdict in the first jury trial in Forsyth County in 7 months. In the State vs. The Big Bad Wolf the verdict for this kindergarten class was not unanimous but they did reach a plurality. They also wrote this constitution to govern their class. What amazing students and teachers at Whitlow Elementary!

Judge Bagley made the decision to suspend jury trials in Forsyth County for the weeks of March 16 & 23. He has issued an administrative order documenting this decision. Should there be any additional updates I will post them.

The high school mock trial students this year were fantastic! Congratulations First Place = Northview High School! Second Place= South Forsyth High School! Third Place = Denmark High School! It was such an honor to meet & recognize each of you today.

The Forsyth County Courthouse has just closed for cleaning. We will reopen tomorrow morning at 8:30 am.

The Forsyth County Courthouse is closed for the remainder of the day for cleaning. The courthouse will reopen Monday at 8:30 am.

It was my honor to visit with the entire kindergarten at Whitlow Elementary last week. They had wonderful questions about my work as a community helper. Thank you Mrs. Cochenour for inviting me and arranging the schedule for all 9 classes to meet with me. Our children are our future.

The Forsyth County Courthouse will be closed tomorrow, August 14 and re-open Monday, August 17. Everyone be well!

To ensure accurate information is distributed, rest assured State Court is not canceled. We have canceled the jail calendars that include any revos that are incarcerated for at least the next 2 weeks, as the jail is trying to limit movement of inmates. Other than that, I am having court that was already scheduled, except Jury Trials, per the emergency order. We are doing as much virtual as possible and if anyone is incarcerated, if it is something that can be done by a plea in absentia or consent order we will be considering those matters. If it is something that can’t be handled by either of those, and will result in the release of an inmate, we will get it scheduled. The scheduling will depend on jail availability.