Bar , and I was uncertain about how the other justices who were already here and who had much more experience than me might perceive me . Luckily , I was embraced with open arms , and everyone welcomed me as their brother on the bench . Even then , the thought of becoming chief justice someday never really entered my mind until it was almost imminent . Now that I have served as chief , I may not be quite as young and unknown as I once was , but that support and guidance from my brothers and sisters on the bench has remained consistent and has been a source of strength for me throughout my time on the court .
Is there any one instance ( or case ) during your time on the Georgia Supreme Court that stands out as more remarkable than others ? I would hesitate to call any one specific case more remarkable than another , because every case is important - even the ones that others may not consider to be remarkable . I tend to look at cases , not in terms of how remarkable they might be perceived to be , but in terms of how we can make sure to get things right under the law . The remarkable thing about every case is that each one can present its own unique set of legal challenges , but the even more remarkable thing is that each and every justice on the court steps up in every one of those cases to do what is necessary to provide fairness and equal justice under the law .
Looking back over your time in office , would you say your experiences as an African American helped shape your judicial career , if so , and how ? I am sure that my experiences as an African American have shaped my judicial career . As is the case with all judges , our experiences shape our instincts and our approach to finding the best answers to difficult questions . These experiences should help guide us and cause us to question common assertions , look for unlikely answers , and delve deeper into issues that present many layers for us to analyze . My experiences do not shape the answers , but can often shape my questions to help me find the right answers . Additionally , my personal experiences in general have allowed me to shape my own perspectives about important matters upon which many people may have many differing perspectives , and this ability to shape my own perspectives has been an important tool in allowing me to maintain my independence and impartiality as a jurist .
I am very optimistic about the future of the court and the role that diversity has played , and will continue to play in it . There was a time when we were talking about the “ first ” African American , or the “ first ” woman , or the “ first ” Asian American on the court , but now we are moving towards a day where we can look beyond “ firsts ” and embrace a time when diverse voices and perspectives on the court are simply the norm . The court is in good hands , and I am certain that diverse voices will continue to chart a positive path now and in the future .
Based on your experiences on the Georgia Supreme Court , what are your recommendations for criminal justice reform ? This is an important area of discussion for so many people in Georgia , which makes me proud to say that some of the most meaningful work that this state has engaged in over the last several years has been in criminal justice reform . We have changed the way that the courts do business , we have saved lives and reduced recidivism , and we have saved money . I think that it is important for us to continue on this positive path forward by building upon the foundation that we have put in place . State and community leaders should apply the existing tools that we have already sharpened in the fire of criminal justice reform to reach young men and women before they reach the criminal justice system . We do not need to wait for crimes to occur before we identify young men and women in need of early intervention and hands on attention that can equip them to lead more positive and productive lives . In this regard , the delivery of mental health services in this state is one aspect of our criminal justice system that remains ripe for much needed reform . If we continue to focus on criminal justice reform in the same manner that we have over the past several years , we can continue to make improvements wherever they are needed .
What are the most positive and negative changes you have seen in Georgia ’ s criminal justice system since being on the Georgia Supreme Court ? I see only positive advancements in Georgia ’ s criminal justice system . That does not mean there are not significant areas that remain in need of improvement , but , because we have already made several significant improvements in recent years , I know that we are capable of continuing to build upon that success . The judges of Georgia are professional and dedicated to the rule of law for all , and , fortunately , they have been given more tools to more effectively deal with the lives of those who come before them . We must use these tools to identify the types of interventions that may help us address some of the root problems that lead to crime rather than only preparing ourselves to deal with crimes after they have already occurred . This , of course , is a role for the broader community , much broader than our criminal justice components . When a person has been accused of a crime , we have to continue to ensure that the quality of that person ’ s representation of a court-appointed or other counsel remains of the highest quality and that such quality representation remains uniform throughout the state .
Lastly , we need to continue to focus on accountability in all aspects of the criminal justice system . For example , I believe that the advent of body cameras and cameras in interrogation rooms has done a lot to bring about a greater sense of credibility and accountability in the criminal justice system .
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This interview was conducted by a member of The Atlanta Lawyer Editorial Board .
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