Probate Judges Training Council

Minutes

Probate Judges Training Council

The Georgia Center Room B Athens, Georgia

March 23, 2015•1:00 p.m.

Members Present

Judge Keith Wood, Chair

Judge Donald Boyd

Judge Mitch Scoggins

Judge Nancy Stephenson

Judge Don Wilkes

Judge Judy Reaves

Judge Sylvia Stone

Judge Lee Moss

Judge Jimmy Bankston

Judge Chase Daughtrey

Guests Present

Ms. Erin Oakley, Trial Court Liaison, AOC

Mr. Rich Reaves, ICJE

Welcome and Introductions

Judge Wood called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance.

Approval of Minutes

Judge Wood called for a review of the minutes from the October 13, 2014 meeting held in Savannah, Georgia. The minutes were approved unanimously.

Budget Review: Financial Status Report

Mr. Reaves from ICJE gave the financial status report. At the end of 2014, ICJE had a surplus of revenue from the probate judges. There was a goal of having more than $17,000 on hand. About $6,500 had been set aside and another $6,500 was needed by the end of the year.

The 2012 new judges orientation cost was $17,000 and ICJE projected about $19,500 would be needed for the next orientation. The only expense to new judges is their travel expense. Judge Wood commented that there was a really large class of new judges in 2012, about 43 judges.

Mr. Reaves wanted to reserve $3,500 to cover COAG expenses in the fall. The Carl Vinson Institute of Government had bumped up its costs to $4,000. He explained that the judges have a $75,000 income stream, with at least $35,000 needed for the cost of the annual conference. That pushes the judges close to the margins.

Judges’ Evaluation Results from 2014

Mr. Reaves reported that there were 73 participants in October and half turned in class evaluation data.

In looking at delinquency reports from 2014, there was wonderful compliance obtaining ICJE hours, and only one judge needs to be spoken with.

Mentor Program (Update)

Mr. Reaves reported that the mentor program is doing exceptionally well, with seven new mentor pairings. Only five of the original 42 mentor pairings have not submitted a report. ICJE sends a reminder once a year and they are confident they will receive all reports by the end of the year.

Judge Wilkes and others commented on the helpfulness of mentors.

Accreditation Program (Update)

Judge Wood said the Council would have its first class of graduates soon. There would be a meeting with Ms. Boling later in the week to determine what happens after graduation. There would be a need to build on the big picture and revisit things that need attention. They would discuss training moving forward and update folks as they go along.

In late summer, real estate, domestic relations and other issues would be discussed, as these topics arise in probate courts. Other topics might be thrown in. In 2017, the program will start all over with a new crop. The initial class found it beneficial and it will continue.

Clerks’ Training for 2015

There was discussion of the suggested topics sent out by Judge Wood in February. The members agreed to strike training on wills, and take it up at a later date. The clerks are bound by the same ethical constraints as judges and need training on that.

Traffic training for clerks was discussed and Judge Wood said he had reached out to GCIC. The clerks are the ones handling dispositions. Mr. Reaves said DDS was prepared to offer three hours of training to clerks.

It was decided to push back game and fish training, so that there could be three hours for DDS, one hour for fine and fee accounting, and one hour for juvenile training.

Traffic Training for 2015

Judge Wood said there would be nine hours of traffic training at Lake Lanier Islands. Some topics were suggested by Judge Ogletree and Judge Hobby, dealing with private probation. DDS is regularly there and will provide three to six hours of training. There would also be one hour of training on the new Code of Judicial Conduct.

It was decided that private probation could be two hours of training.

Update on Strategic Planning

Judge Wood addressed progress on the criteria for district training and expansion of the training council. He wants to revisit criteria and determine training needs following certification and meeting with Ms. Boling. He said he would send out an updated list in the next few weeks.

GBI Disposition Training

In response to media allegations of traffic ticket fixing, there was discussion of providing training on dispositions.

Judge Boyd mentioned there was a non-compliant guardianship form being used that was not what the GBI wants used for reporting guardianship cases.

New Business

Mr. Reaves provided an update on Clerks’ Certification. He said several individuals received certification last year and broke down the participants. There is a 30-hour, 60-hour and 90-hour certificate.

COAG puts together three hours of joint training, and the training council puts on nine hours of training. There was discussion about conducting joint training Wednesday morning and individual training in the afternoon, to eliminate judges leaving early.

Judge Wood said that in 2016, training will not be at the Georgia Center in Athens. The training council is looking at other venues, such as Macon, Lake Lanier and Warner Robins. The annual meeting may be held in April, instead of March. They are looking at date ranges and costs. Judge Wood asked the training council to email preferences. It would depend on whether lodging and venue are available. The presidential preference primary in March may affect options.

Judge Wood and Judge Wilkes reported meeting with people from vital records. They were preparing materials to send to judges for approval and wanted to provide training at the annual meeting. They offered numerous locations for training.

Vital records does not want judges to send in physical forms. They want everything entered into GAVERS. Discussion followed about whether vital records wants the ability to issue marriage certificates.

Regarding WCL training, Judge Wood reported that NICS would only come to Georgia once.

There is a FBI Conference that is part of the CJIS Symposium and GCIC suggested providing training at the CJIS Symposium. However, due to how few judges attend the symposium, it was decided that was not an option. Tina Abernathy with the GBI will work to set up training at COAG.

Election of Chair/Vice-Chair/Secretary

Judge Wood nominated Judge Hudson. A nomination for Vice-Chair was needed, in case the Chair was unavailable for a meeting.

Judge Wood then nominated Judge Thompson as Vice-Chair and Judge Stone as Secretary. Judge Boyd seconded the nominations and there was no opposition to the slate.

Next Meeting Date

It was announced the next CPTC meeting will be October 5, 2015, during the fall COAG conference.

Adjourn

With no further business, Judge Wood adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Fitch, AOC