By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great local journalism.
Local judge will seek re-election
Term would be Bagleys fourth
Bagley es
Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Bagley speaks during a recent trial. Bagley announced Friday his intent to run for re-election. - photo by Emily Saunders
Forsyth County Chief Superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley will seek a fourth term in the Nov. 2 general election.

Bagley made the re-election announcement in a statement Friday.

“My goal is to see that all parties involved in any type of litigation are treated fairly and equally,” Bagley said. “I strive to ensure that all parties coming before the court are permitted to be fully heard so that no one ever feels that they have not been afforded a full and fair opportunity to present their case.

“At the conclusion of every case, I want to be comfortable that I have arrived at the right decision which complies with the law and is just and fair.”

Bagley was appointed in 1997 by then Gov. Zell Miller to serve as the county’s sole state court judge and was re-elected to a four-year term the following year.

In August 2000, then Gov. Roy Barnes chose him to serve as superior court judge.

The Forsyth County native is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Law.

Bagley was admitted to practice law in Georgia in 1987 and subsequently joined the Cumming firm of Boling, Rice and Bettis, where he worked as a civil trial attorney.

According to the statement, Bagley remains committed to running an efficient and effective court despite the current budget crisis.

He has put into place administrative orders permitting the use of the judges of other classes of court to preside over Superior Court cases.

While the Bell-Forsyth Circuit qualifies for a third Superior Court judge, there is no provision for such in the state budget.

In 2004, Bagley started the Forsyth County Drug Court. The program combines treatment and judicial accountability to help those addicted to drugs live a life of sobriety.

Bagley is a member of various organizations, including the South Forsyth Rotary Club, Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta, the Lawyer’s Foundation of Georgia and the American Judicature Society.

He also serves as deacon and song leader at Longstreet Baptist Church, is vice-chairman of Citizens Bank of Forsyth County and serves on the board of the Northeast Georgia Council for the Boy Scouts of America.