Life Experience and a Recurring Thought Led a Lawyer to Become a Judge
Gwinnett County State Court Judge Shawn Bratton's best clue to his future career could be the thought that kept coming into his mind as a trial lawyer.
July 17, 2015 at 11:15 AM
3 minute read
Gwinnett County State Court Judge Shawn Bratton's best clue to his future career could be the thought that kept coming into his mind as a trial lawyer.
“I was more curious about what's the right thing to do,” Bratton said in a recent interview. He had no trouble advocating for his client in private practice, or for the state when he was a prosecutor, but he'd find himself thinking about what would be the best outcome for all concerned. “I was more interested in pure justice than what's the best for this person.”
His hunch played out with an opportunity to work as a judge in Gwinnett County Magistrate Court. One of his favorite tasks as a magistrate judge was presiding over night court. In addition to making findings on probable cause in criminal cases, he heard civil claims of under $15,000. The parties usually represented themselves, and they needed the judge not only to serve as an umpire but also to coach them on the law.
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