Dunn to fill vacated seat of Judge Abernathy-Maddox as State Judge

Forsyth County, Georgia – Following his May 24, 2022 election to the office, James Dunn will take the oath of office as State Court Judge, Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit, at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. The swearing-in ceremony will be held in Courtroom 402 of the Forsyth County Courthouse (101 E. Courthouse Square).

Dunn will be filling the seat held by Judge Leslie Abernathy-Maddox, who did not seek re-election.

Dunn is currently an assistant district attorney and resident of Forsyth County. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1996 and a law degree from Mercer University in 2000. Previous to serving as an assistant district attorney, Dunn served as a judicial clerk.

State Court is a trial court of limited jurisdiction with jurisdiction over all misdemeanor violations, including traffic offenses and all civil actions, regardless of amount claimed, unless the superior court has exclusive jurisdiction. State Court is also authorized to hold hearings for, and issuance of, search and arrest warrants; and for preliminary hearings. Constitutional authority to review lower court decisions as provided by statute. The Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit has two State Court judges.