and keeper of justice and balance the rights of all parties ensuring that the process is fair and just .
Since most of you had months since the mid-summer election , how did you spend the past months preparing for your new position ?
I had a lengthy election process , which started with four other candidates and the initial election date was pushed back once . I came very , very close to winning outright , I had a run-off in August . Simultaneously , I still had a full ( and growing ) case load at the Office of the Public Defenders . It wasn ’ t until late August , that I started actually preparing for this position . I spent the last four months of 2020 , putting my staff together , prepping my clients ( and their cases ) for new counsel and most importantly , thanking the citizens of DeKalb County . I was fortunate in that not only was I able to meet with my predecessor a few times but also the other members of the stellar DeKalb County Superior Court Bench .
Do you have any immediate goals that are important for you to accomplish within the first six months ?
My most immediate goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens of Dekalb County . Also making sure that my courtroom is seen as the people ’ s court by treating everyone , no matter their status or station , with dignity and respect . Lastly , I will ensure that everyone is heard and operate in complete transparency , the law and facts being the basis of all decisions .
Is there someone who holds or held a similar position that you admired and plan on emulating and if so , why or what attributes of theirs do you think are important ?
During my many years of practice , I have had opportunity to learn from many judges . However , the ability to balance the rights of all parties with the law and facts is one of the most important attributes that I endeavor to emulate .
What will you miss most , if anything , from the practice of law or from being a prosecutor ?
Before being elected , I worked as a parent attorney in juvenile court with thousands of clients . The one thing I miss most is direct client contact , talking to parents and working with people who are steadfastly dedicated to helping people who are in need and committed to ensuring due process and system fairness .
Do you have a judicial / guiding philosophy and if so , what is it and how will it be instrumental in your new position ?
My judicial philosophy is quite simple ; treat everyone fairly , with dignity and respect . As a career public servant , I will forever be dedicated to making sure that everyone is heard and has their day in court . Those judicial principles will guide everything that happens in my courtroom .
When someone addresses you as Judge , how long does it take you to realize they are referring to you ?
I ’ m still getting use to it . It will take some time though . For years I have been known as YPS or just Parker-Smith . People I have known all my life , who have helped raise and educate my children , whose weddings , birthday celebrations and graduations I have attended are now referring to me as Judge or Your Honor . That takes some getting used to . Because again , I am the one who is the " helper servant ." I understand that those titles honor the office and not the person . I am and will always be a proud public servant . Any power , or strength that the position has will be used to benefit all of the citizens of DeKalb and not just a privileged few .
COBB COUNTY , SUPERIOR COURT : JUDGE JASON D . MARBUTT
What do you anticipate will be some of the hardest adjustments you will have to make in your new role as Judge ?
Every area of law has a rhythm and flow . File this . Work on that . Wait on the other side to get something done . I know generally how long things should take in criminal law , but it is going to take some time for me to feel the same confidence on civil and domestic matters .
Since most of you had months since the mid-summer election , how did you spend the past months preparing for your new position ?
Studying . I read McConaughey ’ s cover to cover , met with attorneys that specialize in areas of law I am unfamiliar with , and attended some CLEs . I also watched as much court as I could .
Do you have any immediate goals that are important for you to accomplish within the first six months ?
The most immediate goal is to keep the business moving . I am confident that my predecessor left me in a good position , and my goal is to keep moving forward .
Is there someone who holds or held a similar position that you admired and plan on emulating and if so , why or what attributes of theirs do you think are important ?
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