A Forsyth County judge has announced his campaign for re-election.

On Thursday, Forsyth County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley announced he would seek re-election for a sixth term on the seat. 

In a news release, Bagley said he is committed to the county having a fair court system.

“My goal is to see that all parties involved in any type of litigation are treated fairly and equally. I strive to ensure that all parties coming before the court are permitted to be fully heard so that one never feels that they have not been afforded a full and fair opportunity to present their case,” Bagley said. “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.”

The election will be held on May 22, the same day as primary elections in the state.

Bagley has served as a judge in the county for more than 20 years and was appointed as State Court Judge by Gov. Zell Miller in 1997. He became Chief Superior Court Judge in 2003.

He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Forsyth County Bar Association, Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia, Council of Accountability Court Judges of Georgia and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, where he served a six-year term on its board. 

In 2004, he founded the county’s drug court and continues to run the court’s accountability program. The program is made up of felony drug offenders and includes “extensive treatment and rehabilitation including a strict drug testing regimen.”

“Since the first graduation in 2005, 328 persons have graduated from the drug court, the majority of which have gone on to live successful and sober lives,” Bagley said.

Bagley is a graduate of Georgia Tech and Emory School of Law. He began practicing law in Cumming in 1987 as civil trial attorney for Bowling Rice, where he was named a partner before being appointed as judge. 

He attends Longstreet Baptist Church and is a member of the South Forsyth Rotary Club, Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta and serves as vice-chairman of the board for Citizens Bank of Forsyth County.