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Municipal Court to Move to South Fulton Arts Center
Courts

Municipal Court to Move to South Fulton Arts Center

South Fulton Municipal Court ceased operations earlier this year as part of the city's COVID-19 response. Plans to reopen the court were recently announced. As part of the process, court will transition from the Union City Justice Center to the South Fulton Arts Center. According to a press release, under the current first phase of the reopening, residents can send questions or requests for information to court officials by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (470) 809-7400. Tickets can be paid at southfultonpay.com or (877) 575-7233. Cases can be contested through virtual hearings. “For a limited time, the solicitor has reduced certain fines and charges,” said Pro Tem Judge Michael Sheridan. “To find out if you are eligible for a lower fine or reduced charg...
Municipal Court Gives the Gift of Amnesty This Month
Courts

Municipal Court Gives the Gift of Amnesty This Month

The City of South Fulton Municipal Court is launching its first-ever amnesty program this month. Just in time for the winter holidays and New Year, the program gives a fresh start to residents who have missed court dates, have overdue tickets or outstanding warrants. Court officials will offer reduced fines for most delinquent traffic and non-traffic citations. However, previously adjudicated cases, capias pro fines, and parking citations are not eligible for amnesty rates. “We encourage anyone who has delinquent court matters to take advantage of this opportunity to resolve cases,” said City of South Fulton Clerk of Court Phenix Gaston. “This is an opportunity to ease financial burden as we go into the holiday season and restore driving records.” Those with unpaid citations wh...
Council Confirms Nomination for Chief Judge
Courts

Council Confirms Nomination for Chief Judge

South Fulton's city council confirmed the nomination of Fani T. Willis as the new chief municipal court judge on July 23. She'll be named to the position subject to the confirmation of her final salary and contract negotiations. Willis was nominated by Mayor William “Bill” Edwards.  She comes to the city with more than 16 years of progressive experience prosecuting major criminal cases in superior courts.  “This appointment is great for the City of South Fulton as Ms. Willis brings a vast amount of judicial experience and leadership to our municipal court," said Edwards. "Her appointment to serve on the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission exemplifies the type of leadership she brings to our great city." Willis, a resident of the city of South Fulton is excite...
Council to Vote on Appointment of Fani Willis for Municipal Court Judge
Courts

Council to Vote on Appointment of Fani Willis for Municipal Court Judge

Mayor William "Bill" Edwards has appointed Fani T. Willis to serve as the city of South Fulton's new chief municipal court judge. The seat has been vacant since March. Willis earned her bachelor's degree from Howard University and law degree from Emory University School of Law. Over the course of her career of more than 16 years, she's served as Deputy District Attorney for Fulton County, run her own law firm and served as counsel for the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission. During her tenure in the District Attorney's office, Willis increased the conviction rate from 45 percent to 93 percent. Notably, she was the lead counsel in the landmark Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal case. In 2018, Willis ran for Fulton County Superior Court Judge where she lost her bid fo...
City Attorney: Council Will Not Have to Appear in Court
Courts, Government

City Attorney: Council Will Not Have to Appear in Court

Starting yesterday, multiple news outlets reported that a motion of contempt had been filed against South Fulton's city council, and that they'd been ordered to appear in court. The motion was filed by an attorney representing former South Fulton municipal court judge Tiffany Sellers, who was terminated in March. She's since taken legal action against the city. The motion for contempt was based on claims by her attorney that the council had missed a deadline to turn over a document. Tonight, during the council's regular meeting, South Fulton's city attorney Emilia Walker addressed the media reports. She confirmed that a motion for contempt was filed by Sellers' attorney on July 3, but that the city had not been served in that action. Walker also disclosed that a notice of hear...
Bishop Road Landfill Owner Faces $1 Million Fine for Violating Solid Waste Act
Courts, Public Safety

Bishop Road Landfill Owner Faces $1 Million Fine for Violating Solid Waste Act

According to a court order, civil penalties will be assessed against Tandy Bullock, the owner of the unpermitted landfill at 7635 Bishop Road. He faces a fine in the amount of $1,084,550 for violating the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Act. The landfill caught fire in September 2018, and burned for eight months. The burning debris included trees, stumps, and wood from demolished buildings. The excessive smoke became a nuisance for many residents in the area, and a health concern, particularly for residents with existing respiratory problems. During a compliance hearing on May 20, Judge Constance Russell ruled that Bullock had taken satisfactory steps to extinguish the blaze. In addition to the seven-figure fine, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will require Bullock t...
Judge Rules Landfill Owner in Compliance
Courts, Public Safety

Judge Rules Landfill Owner in Compliance

Tandy Bullock, the owner of the Bishop Road Landfill, went before Superior Court Judge Constance Russell during a compliance hearing earlier today. The hearing was held to determine if Bullock was in compliance with an order to extinguish the fire that had been burning on his property since September 2018. Bullock's attorney, Charles T. Brant and an attorney representing the State of Georgia jointly testified before the judge that the fire had been extinguished. Satisfied with what was presented by the litigants, Judge Russell ruled in Bullock's favor. The decision came as a disappointment for residents who attended the hearing wearing shirts that read "No Landfills, No Warehouses" on the front and "South Fulton Lives Matter" on the back. They brought photos of their own showi...
Judges Pro-Tem Monica Ewing and Stefani Lacour Sworn In
Courts

Judges Pro-Tem Monica Ewing and Stefani Lacour Sworn In

Monica Ewing and Stefani Lacour will both serve as Judge Pro-Tem in the City of South Fulton’s Municipal Court. They were sworn in this week by Mayor William “Bill” Edwards. Monica Ewing has previously served as a magistrate judge in Fulton County and has presided over courts in multiple cities in the region including Fairburn and Hapeville. Ewing is a graduate of Emory University School of Law. She got her start in the office of City of Atlanta Attorney Marva Brooks, and later made a name for herself as an entertainment attorney. She has also worked as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University and is the creator of The Stand Down Court, a program that assists homeless veterans who have outstanding warrants and misdemeanor charges. Stefani Lacour has over two decades ...
Council Votes 6 to 1 to Remove Judge from Bench
Courts, Government

Council Votes 6 to 1 to Remove Judge from Bench

Earlier today, the City of South Fulton held a public hearing on the petition to terminate Municipal Court Chief Judge Tiffany Sellers. The city council voted to remove the judge from the bench in a vote of 6-1. Sellers, a contractor, had already been on suspension with pay. The decision followed her entering into an agreement with a production company for a reality television concept and complaints filed against her with the human resources department. Given the opportunity to address the city council and the public during the hearing, Sellers stated her objections to the suspension and hinted at her intent to file an appeal. She said that the allegations that she had created a hostile work environment were false, and that the details outlined in the petition filed against her on were an...
Reality TV Series to Follow Women of South Fulton’s Municipal Court
Courts, Entertainment, Government

Reality TV Series to Follow Women of South Fulton’s Municipal Court

Last June, the Atlanta Voice first shared the story of South Fulton’s municipal court, the first to be run exclusively by African-American women. The story and accompanying photo became a viral sensation and now a reality television series is in the making. Good Caper Content, the true crime programming division of ITV America, has inked an exclusive development deal with Chief Judge Tiffany Carter Sellers, solicitor LaDawn Jones and public defender Viveca Famber Powell. The series, tentatively titled “Women in Black,” will be executive produced by Kathryn Vaughan, Good Caper Content’s president. It will follow court cases and provide a glimpse into the women’s lives. “Being the first court run by all women, and the first court run by all African-Americans, gives us the unique opportunity...

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