Court Opinion

ID: 9595857
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 00:43:42.607603+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:26:46.579671
License: Public Domain

Beasley, Chief Judge,
concurring specially.
I fully concur in the opinion except with respect to the gratuitous admonishment of superior court judges in the use of OCGA § 15-1-9.1 to obtain assistance. Although it appears (outside of this record) that it is a prevalent practice in some jurisdictions and that elongated “temporary” appointment of magistrates is made, we are in no position to assess the need for invoking this extraordinary means for attempting adequate and timely disposition of a court’s caseload. Regardless of the reason, if there is an insufficient number of superior court judges, responsibly working to their maximum to handle the business of the court, then they are compelled to use the authority granted by OCGA § 15-1-9.1 to fulfill the court’s obligations to the public. If there is misuse or use beyond what was contemplated by the legislature, then the causes should be identified and appropriate remedies installed.