Judge Hit in Radio Show Is Accused in Ethics Complaint of Nepotism, Rudeness, 'Baby Momma' Jailing
A Georgia drug court judge scrutinized on the radio show This American Life has been accused in an ethics complaint of appointing her daughter as a guardian ad litem and jailing a defendant for using the term “baby momma.”
Amanda Williams of Brunswick is the chief superior court judge overseeing drug courts in Glynn, Camden and Wayne counties, report the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Associated Press.
The complaint by the Judicial Qualifications Commission says that in one case, Williams ordered a woman with a history of suicide attempts to be placed indefinitely in restrictive detention, with no visitors and phone calls except for a drug court counselor, the stories say. The woman attempted suicide while in solitary confinement that lasted 73 days. She was in the drug court program for forging two of her parents’ checks totaling $100.
In another case, Williams is accused of jailing a juvenile who laughed during drug court proceedings.
She is also accused of using rude, abusive and insulting language and of presiding over cases involving a lawyer who practiced law with her son.
Prior coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Ga. Judge Defends Drug Court Practices After Critical Episode of ‘This American Life’ “
