In May 2006, Smith watched from the defendant’s chair as a jury heard evidence against him on a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a single incident the year before involving his ex-girlfriend.
A Sumter County jury took 90 minutes to find Smith not guilty, though in the interim, the Judicial Qualifications Commission had sought to suspend his credentials.
But Smith was back in court, hearing arguments in the Lee County case against former Deputy Donnie Spillers, days after his trial.
Two years later, Smith is facing a rare opponent in his four terms as judge since he was elected, at 38, the circuit’s youngest Superior Court judge since 1840.
While fellow Superior Court Judge George Peagler also is up for re-election this year, Albany plaintiff’s lawyer Jimmie Brown announced in February he was seeking Smith’s seat.
Smith made certain it was known that he’d be qualifying Monday to run for a fifth term.
Election qualifying for nonpartisan positions such as superior court judges as well as for independent candidates begins at 9 a.m. Monday and ends at noon Friday.
“I have been blessed that the people of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit have trusted me to serve our circuit for the last 25 years,” said Smith, whose career in the circuit began in 1981, when he was first appointed an assistant district attorney.
When a Southwestern jury returned its first death penalty verdict in more than 50 years, Smith was prosecutor; he also notes that the Georgia Supreme Court has upheld every ruling he’s made as judge in a death penalty case.
In addition to presiding over more than 1,000 cases a year for the last 15 years, the Americus native currently serves as the elected Third District Administrative Judge, overseeing administration of the courts in four judicial circuits and four cities, he said.
He also serves on the executive committee of the Council of Superior Court Judges and is a member of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia.
“To me, the fair and impartial administration of justice and the peaceful resolution of disputes is one of the highest callings to which a person can dedicate himself or herself,” the father of two daughters and one son said.
“In every case that comes before me, one side or the other will likely be unsuccessful in their case, but I work very hard to make sure that both sides have the opportunity to have a full and complete hearing so that justice can ultimately prevail.”
Headquartered in Americus, the Southwestern Judicial Circuit spans Lee, Sumter, Schley, Macon, Webster and Stewart counties.