SEARCH

Ward v. City of Cairo

O.C.G.A. § 36-32-2 a, which provides that municipal court judges serve at the pleasure of the appointing governing authority, does not violate the separation of powers doctrine of the Georgia Constitution.

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

In this appeal, we are called upon to determine whether OCGA § § 36-32-2 a and 42-8-100 f 1 and g 1 violate the separation of powers doctrine of the Georgia Constitution. We hold that these provisions are constitutional on the grounds asserted, and we affirm the judgment of the trial court. At the time this appeal was filed, J. Patrick Ward was a Judge of the State Court of Grady County.1 Ward also served as Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Cairo from 1985 until his services were terminated by the Cairo City Council in June 2001. Ward’s termination as municipal court judge was precipitated by his decision to employ a private entity to provide probation supervision for the City of Cairo, and then to terminate that provider and replace it with another.

The facts show that in 1996, at Ward’s request, the county entered into a contract with Community Corrections Corporation CCC, a private entity which provided probation services to the state court. In the following year, with the city’s approval, Ward entered into a second contract with CCC to privatize probation services to the municipal court. At some point prior to 2001, CCC merged with BI, Inc. BI, its successor corporation, which continued to provide probation services to both courts.

More From ALM

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

From Data to Decisions

Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.

Southeastern Legal Awards 2025

May 01, 2025
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.

Learn More

GlobeSt. Healthcare Real Estate 2024

December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!

Learn More

ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES Awards 2024

December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.

Learn More

(NEW) JUNIOR-MID LEVEL LITIGATION ASSOCIATE WANTED FOR ELITE LITIGATION BOUTIQUE FIRM (Atlanta, GA)

Our client, a boutique litigation firm established by former BigLaw partners, is seeking to hire a junior-mid level associate their rapidly ...

Apply Now ›

CORPORATE ASSOCIATE - CT or Remote

Shipman & Goodwin LLP is seeking an associate to join our corporate and transactional practice. Candidates must have four to eight years...

Apply Now ›

Senior Associate - Boutique -A&D (NYC)

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM, CORPORATE LAW We provide strategic advisory and legal services to the world's leading archite...

Apply Now ›