State Panel Recommends Removal of Fulton Judge Over Misconduct, Illegal Jailing of Witness

A state panel has recommended that Fulton County Judge Williams be removed from the bench, citing more than 30 counts of judicial misconduct, including illegally jailing a witness and providing false testimony.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), a three-judge panel, said Williams violated multiple rules over several years, including giving untruthful testimony in court. “A judge that cannot be trusted to tell the truth cannot be trusted to remain in office,” the panel wrote.

Court documents indicate that while Williams often handled a heavy caseload, some cases went years without rulings. In one instance, a case went 29 months past the final hearing before a decision was issued.

The panel cited multiple instances of misconduct, including improper ex parte communications with a sorority sister involved in a case and assistance provided to a family member. “Judges not only have to do the right thing, they have to avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” said prominent family law attorney Randy Kessler.

The most serious allegation involves the illegal jailing of a 21-year-old witness who was testifying on behalf of her mother. According to the JQC, Williams repeatedly interrupted the witness and, at one point, directed a deputy to take her into custody, allegedly saying, “Go show her what that cell looks like.” Williams later told the panel, “I was trying not to put her in jail and essentially say scared straight… That was not the right decision.”

The commission also noted that Williams frequently changed her testimony on the stand. Kessler, who has appeared in hundreds of cases before Williams, said he did not believe she intended to do wrong, but acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations.

The JQC’s recommendation now goes to the Georgia Supreme Court, which can accept, reject, or issue its own decision regarding the judge’s removal.