Wednesday, October 17, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
CONYERS -- After 14 years as a practicing attorney with a host of high-profile cases on her resume, Phinia Aten is ready to take her career to the next plateau with her candidacy for chief judge of Rockdale County's Magistrate Court.
Aten, a Democrat, will oppose Republican incumbent Magistrate Judge Clarence "Rudy" Horne Jr., in November's General Election.
Calling Magistrate Court the "gateway for the judicial system," Aten said she wants to take her many years of experience -- in Rockdale County and throughout the state -- to make operations more efficient and fair and to provide citizens with education about the court.
"It's the first level of court for all criminal cases and it is where many civil matters are resolved," said Aten, who announced her candidacy last November. "I thought it could be an opportunity for me to really impact the law and help people have a better appreciation of our legal system working in Magistrate Court."
Magistrate Court is a court of inquiry with the primary responsibility to determine the sufficiency of evidence in criminal cases, along with applications and issuance of arrest and search warrants. It is also the court of first appearance and committal hearings in criminal cases. The court hears civil claims and provides eviction notices, distress warrants, ordinance violations, issuance of bad-check citations and holds misdemeanor bad-check warrant hearings.
Aten said that during her campaign, concerns have been expressed to her about the court's increasing budget and its reliance on part-time judges. She said that, if elected, she won't do away with part-time jurists but she'll spend more time on the bench, saying that more litigants should be able to present their cases before the person they elected.
"One issue I've been hearing a lot of complaints about is the Magistrate Court budget," said Aten, who earned her law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. "It has been constantly expanding over the last several years, and my understanding is it has been attributed to a greater use of part-time judges, not because the volume of the caseload has been increasing dramatically, but because Judge Horne has not been presiding over as many cases as he should.
"The volume is too heavy in Magistrate Court to not use part-time judges; however, I do intend to sit on the bench many more hours than Judge Horne, as well as offer litigants the opportunity to have me personally preside over (their) cases. Chief magistrate is the only elected judge in the magistrate system -- the other judges are by appointment. I'm offering more accountability to the community by offering to hear their case personally -- to be heard by the judge they elected."
Pointing out that many citizens appear in Magistrate Court without benefit of attorneys, Aten added that she's also received feedback on the subject of fairness, and says that she wants to provide information to litigants that will help them better understand the process and outcome of their cases.
"I can resolve that issue by giving people education on the front end of what a judge can fairly consider," said Aten, who runs the Atlanta-based firm Phinia Aten and Associates. "A lot of times people want to raise issues that aren't relevant to the matter a judge needs to decide ... Giving some front-end training and then giving an explanation upon rendering a decision in court can go a long way to helping people understand what goes on in Magistrate Court.
"I'm big on community outreach, and Magistrate Court is the people's court. A lot of people in Magistrate Court represent themselves. (The court) should offer more information to these litigants about how court works so we can move those cases more efficiently and people have a better idea about what the judge is looking for in terms of rendering a just decision."
Named an Outstanding Citizen by the Georgia Secretary of State and the 2011 recipient of the Luminary Leadership Business Award from the local chapter of the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women, Aten said she's enjoyed her first run for elected office and she feels more than capable for the office.
"Judge Horne hasn't had much in the way of opposition for most of his tenure and I don't know if that's necessarily because of the quality of his performance," she said. "I'm at that point in my career where I've garnered the respect of so many of my legal colleagues, the community and other jurists that I feel completely confident running for this office. I feel very well qualified to take on this task."
Aten is president and a charter member of the New-Rock Legal Society and is a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, the Rockdale County Bar Association, the Lawyers Club of Atlanta and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
More like this story
- Conyers attorney announces run for Magistrate Court judgeship ( November 28, 2011 )
- Horne refutes claims by Democratic challenger ( October 20, 2012 )
- Conyers attorney announces run for Magistrate Court judgeship ( November 28, 2011 )
- Oden, Hill address crime at forum ( October 9, 2012 )
- Letter: Judge-elect's ads were misleading ( December 6, 2012 )
Comments
johnq123 7 months, 1 week ago
Aten , voice concerns about the budget in one instance and then goes on to talk about community training and outreach. Both which will require time and money... Rockdale Voters, don't fall for this MALARKEY....VOTE FOR RUDY HORNE..
kt 7 months, 1 week ago
Spending more hours on the bench simply doesn't come close to replacing the decades of experience of Judge Horne.
Elmo 7 months, 1 week ago
America has enough liberal judges, vote Rudy Horne!
pressman7 7 months ago
Smells like lawyer jibberish.
johnq123 7 months ago
Most successful attorneys that graduated from Tulane and has tried many High Profile cases, would never consider leaving their lucrative practice for a Chief Magistrate Job.
Hmmmmm. !
Frustrated 7 months ago
Sounds like she just wants to drum up business for her firm by "giving people education on the front end what a judge can fairly consider". If anybody has noticed there were an awful lot of candidates from this NewRock Legal Society running for offices this year. Makes you wonder what their REAL agenda is. I don think it is to make things in Rockdale better.
Elmo 7 months ago
Maybe "NewRock" is just another community organizer, special interest group, say, like ACORN.
Making a swinging door out of our courts, based on color, will never solve the crime problem in our county.
We never needed a "NewRock" anyway, there wasn't a thing wrong with the old rock.
"NewRock"...south side of Chicago...same thing.
Elmo 7 months ago
Actually, with the increase in crime in Rockdale, "NewRock" is a misnomer...it should be called "Jailhouse Rock",
johnq123 7 months ago
Please check on the candidates NewRock put forth for election... Dix, Washington,Washington , Lindsey,Winfrey and the saga continues. Get a clue, NewRock is a career buster.
BOCWatch 7 months ago
Ms. Aten has been misrepresenting the facts about the Magistrate Court and specifically Judge Rudy Horne since she entered this race. At the recent LWV/Chamber of Commerce forum she attacked the Magistrate Court's budget indicating that Judge Horne was having to use more associate judges to cover when he is out of the office. You will find her comments from this forum here:
2012 LWV Candidate Forum Video
Interestingly enough the Magistrate Court budget is at 2007 budget levels; recently Finance Director Roselyn Miller requested that department heads use their 2011 budgets as a target for the 2013 budget appropriations. With the Magistrate at 2007 levels I would have to say Judge Horne is doing a very good job.
In regard to the number of judges affecting the budget numbers; the Magistrate office has opperated with 2 associate judges since 2004. Prior to that there were 5 associate judges. The fact is that the total number of judges is handed down to Magistrate from the Chief Superior Court Judge, Sidney Nation. The total number of judges isn't controlled by Magistrate. These statements simply show Ms. Aten's ignorance of how Magistrate operates in Georgia.
Recently Ms. Aten commented on how Judge Horne disrespects certain demographics groups in our community. In a recent video interview Ms. Aten noted that Josie Dean was the resident making these accusations; I have found the documents related to Ms. Dean's case and found that the one instance she appeared before Judge Horne the case was dismissed. You will find the video and related court documentation at the below address:
Magistrate candidate Aten does not have facts
If these statements are any indication on how Ms. Aten will rule as a judge...and they are in fact representative of how she would behave on the bench, I'll take my chance with someone that does not have to fabricate information against their opponent to be elected. My vote will go Judge Rudy Horne.
Frustrated 7 months ago
Aten has made it clear with her statements in the past that she is racially biased and wants to make it easier for criminals to get out of jail free. This seems to be the common thread with the NewRock Legal Society of which she is the president. If Aten plans on spending more time on the bench, just how long will she go being on call 24/7 to sign warrants, not having time to take a vacation, and being in court every day? We can only hope people see through her smokescreen and keep Judge Horne.
CR66 7 months ago
Sit down and shut up! No one cares about what you have to say. You have proven from your ridiculous statements, submissions into the newspaper, outspokenness in public that you are not a valid source for honest information. They are simply fabricated lies. You are losing all your credibility here in Rockdale sir. The people are fed up with your malarkey.
WayBack 7 months ago
What people? I'm not fed up with it. I appreciate the information, and I'm smart enough to double check-- he's correct in what he says and writes. "Sit down and shut up" doesn't sound like grown-up communication. "No one cares about what you have to say" is petty (and untrue). His (I'm assuming it's a "he"-- sorry, if not!) statements are always backed up with facts and evidence. Where are yours?
kellygreen 7 months ago
What a bunch of hogwash!! Who ever this is, this is 100% false!
WayBack 7 months ago
Prove it.
byhorne 7 months ago
All this talk about how good Horne is makes one very ill. The good judge was a Democrat for years then switched parties when Rockdale became Republican. This past year wanted desperately for his seat to become nonpartisan. Are the voters aware that Horne wants to only do two more years on the bench to enhance his retirement income? Maybe you Horne voters should ask him, 'if reelected, are you going to serve the full term?' As for his budget, his court wastes a lot of taxpayer money in misused time by his staff. Often times he has members not reporting to work until 10:30 and some even in the afternoon. Vote Aten!
Southside 7 months ago
How much does a roll of red tape cost? With a six figure salary, you can buy a bunch of it.
Frustrated 7 months ago
I would like to know where you get your information from especially the part about his employees. I think you, along with Aten, are sadly misinformed.
johnq123 7 months ago
A two year term with Horne is better than four years of his opponent... Watch the LVW TAPES.
byhorne 7 months ago
johnq123 remarks seems to doubt Ms. Aten's expierence and questions why should she want to be Chief Magistrate. He is probably unaware that the position pays six digits per year. Furthermore, she could have ambitions of seeking a higher seat. Finally, what does your comment suggest of Horne. I guess Horne lacks ambition and is content in his station. What about his trial experience? She at least attended a reknowned law school - Horne attended a local private school. VOTE ATEN!
Lorenzo 7 months ago
Aten's experience as what? A judge? She has none. Pay an issue? Of course they get paid....think they do this for free? Throwing stones at Horne's working staff? You sound very much like an ex-employee fired for numerous and frequent office policy violations some of which may be criminal. Crawl back under your rock and quit trying to poison the county.
Elmo 7 months ago
"If you have no record to run on, make people run from your opponent." - B. Obama.
I'd rather have two years (if that is true) of Rudy Horne, than four years of a liberal.
The one thing that Obama, and Clinton, have taught America is, democrat liberals have no problem, whatsoever, in dishing out lies.
She's already indicated that she would make a revolving door for criminals coming into her court, putting them back out on the streets...the last thing Rockdale needs.
Her "promise" of 24/7 on the bench is not a promise of dedication, it's a threat of the quest for total control of the court, insuring that substitute judges don't block her revolving door. Power...where have we all heard that before.
What we are witnessing is an attempt at a total takeover of Rockdale county, outsiders trying to be big fish in a little pond.
Power, money, and thousands of dollars, taxpayer dollars, for framed portraits for the sheeple to worship under is the ultimate goal.
All dictators put pictures and statues of themselves all over, to remind the sheeple that they are being watched, and controlled.
Time to go all out, and vote to restore Rockdale.
Southside 7 months ago
Do you think Judge Horne would go tell one of Ms aten's supporters that he is going to leave us high & dry in two years? Her red tape can't hold all their stories together.
johnq123 7 months ago
Horne graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emory,and I am very aware of the salary. What startles me is the fact that most high profile attorneys from Tulane make high six figures salaries. Where is ambition when you are seeking a lower profile position and less $$$$$?
WayBack 7 months ago
Oh-- well, now we know how much credibility to assign to you. Did you really just call Emory University "a local private school"? Seriously? You just cut the worth of your commentary to shreds.
Lorenzo 7 months ago
Aten's comments show her complete lack of knowledge about how the Magistrate Court functions. More bench time? It sounds like she is going to be busy making more contacts (please insert clients) among the multitude of people that bring cases before the Magistrate Judge. Aten has misrepresented herself and made her opinions clear about how she thinks certain demographics are not treated fairly. We do not need any part of a Magistrate Judge that is going to dance to the tune of Richard Oden or continue to try and turn our county into Dekalb East.
RyanK 7 months ago
Between RockdaleNews.com and RockdaleCitizen.com it seems like the same old people are making these comments. Most of these people have an agenda of their own. Dont let them fool ya.
Ms. Aten has a great education, a great track record, and a noble reputation with the citizens of Rockdale!
Most of these fanatics on here have none of the slightest understandings about the judicial process. Some of them are only looking out for themselves and they are in a state of fear because they don't know Ms. Aten. They are so used to the same old thing that they have become conditioned and comfortably numb to that fact that Horne needs to go. They see Ms. Aten as a threat to their world as they know it....But Ms. Aten may be the best thing Rockdale has going.
But I assure you voters out there that if you would just stop listening to those who wish to spread fear, hate, confusion and ignorance and just DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, you will see that Aten is the best person for the Job.
There are those out there (mostly the same folk), who are so desperate, who are doing everything in their abilities to slander those who rightly deserve this position. They are materially corrupt, spiritually amuck, dishing out counterfeit wisdom creating the illusion of Horne being more than what he is.
These same unknown individuals, like thieves in the night, steal signs from Rockdale citizens yards, spread distorted rumors and try to divide the community for their own selfish, wicked gain. You know who you are. But despite your weak efforts of desperation, on NOV 7 I will have a smile on my face when Aten is declared the victor. The light shall prevail over the darkness.
Horne is a tyrant, greedy old man who wish to just serve another term to probably pay off his mortgage.
Rockdale needs better, Rockdale needs Aten. ROCKDALE WANTS ATEN!
AJK 7 months ago
Between RockdaleNews.com and RockdaleCitizen.com it seems like the same old people are making these comments. Most of these people have an agenda of their own. Dont let them fool ya.
Mr. Horne has a great education, a great track record, and a noble reputation with the citizens of Rockdale!
Most of these fanatics on here have none of the slightest understandings about the judicial process. Some of them are only looking out for themselves and they are in a state of fear because they don't know Mr. Horne. They are so used to the same old thing that they have become conditioned and comfortably numb to that fact that Aten needs to go. They see Mr. Horne as a threat to their world as they know it....But Mr. Horne may be the best thing Rockdale has going.
But I assure you voters out there that if you would just stop listening to those who wish to spread fear, hate, confusion and ignorance and just DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, you will see that Horne is the best person for the Job.
There are those out there (mostly the same folk), who are so desperate, who are doing everything in their abilities to slander those who rightly deserve this position. They are materially corrupt, spiritually amuck, dishing out counterfeit wisdom creating the illusion of Aten being more than what she is.
These same unknown individuals, like thieves in the night, steal signs from Rockdale citizens yards, spread distorted rumors and try to divide the community for their own selfish, wicked gain. You know who you are. But despite your weak efforts of desperation, on NOV 7 I will have a smile on my face when Mr. Horne is declared the victor. The light shall prevail over the darkness.
Rockdale needs better, Rockdale needs Horne. ROCKDALE WANTS HORNE!
I guess you see what I've done. Your words are so easy to turn around because there is no substance to your message. Perhaps something with more substance wouldn't be so easy to turn around. Now tell us why Rudy Horne shouldn't be re-elected. Better yet, tell us why Phinia Aten (in your words) "rightly deserves this position".
CR66 7 months ago
Yeah real original. Aten deserves the position because she is a hard worker, she is a go getter. She will probably do more than what the job offers because thats her work ethic. Aten has a great background and I don't see why she should not have the job considering her opponent has held the seat for 20 years without ever having a challenging opponent.
Furthermore, Horne is sick, and isnt getting any younger. He most likely can't complete his 4 years on the bench. Do you think it is fair for one man to hold a seat that long!! The president only gets two terms. Why should horn have another term?
Southside 7 months ago
Totally amazing
johnq123 7 months ago
I think it is unfair to vote for some one because her opponent is a senior . A mule works hard but I wouldn't vote for one for an elective office.
VPublicola 7 months ago
And, that CR66 is an excellent example of age discrimination, which you apparently practice.
Previous lesson once again...
Horne deserves the position because he is a hard worker, he is a go getter. He does more than what the job offers because thats [sic] his work ethic. Horne has a great background and I don't see why he should not have the job considering his opponent has never been a judge and has no experience as a judge. He has held the seat for 20 years without ever having a challenging opponent and he should continue to hold that seat.
RyanK 6 months, 3 weeks ago
VPublicola since you are so adamant about Horne holding this position for another term, let me ask you this....Why should he hold a seat for another term? What changes will he bring? What innovations can he bring to the position and to our courts?
What has he done for our community lately?
and please stop with the whole he has experince....Its cheap... OF COURSE HE HAS EXPERINCE. It comes with the job people. A real incumbent will never use "experince" as the sole reason to be elected. He should be more creative than that. If all he can say is I have experince...Then he has lost my vote....The way I see it, he didn't have experince when he first took that seat 20 years ago. Aten will have experince too when she has taken his position.
Lorenzo 7 months ago
Come find me in two weeks. I'd like to see that smile.
Rockdalepeace2013 6 months, 2 weeks ago
did u check the results?....
JD 7 months ago
I'm sure that Ms. Aten is a nice and competent lady, but needless to say, although I'm a Black registered Democrat, she will not be getting my vote. We want someone in Rockdale regardless of political affiliation & race who will be HARD on the criminals who are making an influx here from other places. As a middle aged person with a family, my real concern is that Rockdale County does not turn into another Dekalb County.
BrentLuNae 6 months, 4 weeks ago
My sentiments exactly! That is why I could not vote for her. We don't need anybody being too easy on criminals. We want to feel safe in our community. She needs to head over to DeKalb or Clayton where criminals are obviously being let go quickly. She would fit right in.
VPublicola 6 months, 4 weeks ago
Interesting you mention such! Aten or is it Judkins or Cou-Aten, et al., touts herself as this international and national star of high profile cases on her business website. In fact, she even lists some of these notable high profile cases. However, what she does not do is offer you a link to these stellar cases. So, the casual, uniformed reader (or voter) just takes her word for it and is likely to get taken as well. Thus, you have to do the work on your own since Ms. Aten is not so forthcoming.
Here are some of those high profile, stellar, notable cases that Ms. Aten is so proud of for making her an international and national media star:
State v. Nakia Burgess ATLANTA -- Nakia Burgess had a new job as a transcriptionist at an Atlanta office, but she didn't have anyone to take care of her 3-year-old girl. Her plan: Park the car, strap Ashante -- who had Down's Syndrome -- in a car seat, crack the windows and stick around long enough to keep her job, checking on her daughter whenever possible. The first time she went to the car, Burgess found the toddler playing with a chalkboard. But by the time she returned again, less than 90 minutes after arriving at work, she found Ashante unconscious. The child died after arriving at a hospital, where doctors said her temperature was 108 degrees. Police charged the 28-year-old Burgess with murder and cruelty to children. (http://onlineathens.com/stories/100402/new_20021004018.shtml)
ATLANTA - A judge has reduced charges against a woman whose daughter died of heat exhaustion after being left in a hot car. Municipal Court Judge Clinton Deveaux has agreed to reduce the charges against Nakia Burgess from felony murder to involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. Burgess was arrested October Second after leaving her three-year-old daughter - Asan'te - alone in the car while the 28-year-old went to work in an Atlanta office. Burgess says she left the child in the car because her day care had fallen through. (http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=188039)
State v. Joseph Brown In January 2004 prosecutors charged Brown with Demetria's murder. That May a judge ruled his prior convictions could not be entered as evidence. Even so, Brown agreed to plead guilty to assaulting and kidnapping Demetria, though not to killing her. "He maintains his innocence," says his lawyer Phinia Aten. "He had one case too many against him and decided it was in his best interest to plead." At Brown's sentencing on May 16, 2005, Williams stood before the court and addressed Brown. "I hate you and I think you are the scum of the earth," she told him, her voice rising with anger. "I hope you burn in hell." Brown was sentenced to 25 years in prison with the possibility of parole in 16 years. Prosecutors, now investigating Brown as a suspect in several cold cases, believe he'll serve his full sentence http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20148012,00.html
VPublicola 6 months, 4 weeks ago
And a couple more:
State v. Jeremy ‘Slep’ Dunn (murderous gangster from a well-known gang in Fulton County) http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=203589&c=5 http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2010/09/22/irc-member-pleads-guilty-gets-three-life-sentences http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=3823470
Sorrells v. State; April 18, 2006; GA Court of Appeals Phinia Aten represents Renard Sorrells convicted for armed robbery (2 counts). Case lost on Appeal. (http://caselaw.findlaw.com/ga-court-of-appeals/1270597.html)
more to come later...
RyanK 7 months ago
Between RockdaleNews.com and RockdaleCitizen.com it seems like the same old people are making these comments. Most of these people have an agenda of their own. Dont let them fool ya.
Ms. Aten has a great education, a great track record, and a noble reputation with the citizens of Rockdale!
Most of these fanatics on here have none of the slightest understandings about the judicial process. Some of them are only looking out for themselves and they are in a state of fear because they don't know Ms. Aten. They are so used to the same old thing that they have become conditioned and comfortably numb to that fact that Horne needs to go. They see Ms. Aten as a threat to their world as they know it....But Ms. Aten may be the best thing Rockdale has going.
But I assure you voters out there that if you would just stop listening to those who wish to spread fear, hate, confusion and ignorance and just DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, you will see that Aten is the best person for the Job.
There are those out there (mostly the same folk), who are so desperate, who are doing everything in their abilities to slander those who rightly deserve this position. They are materially corrupt, spiritually amuck, dishing out counterfeit wisdom creating the illusion of Horne being more than what he is.
These same unknown individuals, like thieves in the night, steal signs from Rockdale citizens yards, spread distorted rumors and try to divide the community for their own selfish, wicked gain. You know who you are. But despite your weak efforts of desperation, on NOV 7 I will have a smile on my face when Aten is declared the victor. The light shall prevail over the darkness.
Horne is a tyrant, greedy old man who wish to just serve another term to probably pay off his mortgage. He is rising the budgets, costing the tax payers more money. Rockdale needs better, Rockdale needs Aten. ROCKDALE WANTS ATEN!
CR66 7 months ago
As a business owner, I understand the benefit of hiring someone who has 20 years of experince. However, I also recognize the tremendous benefit of hiring someone new.
When I hire a new employee I look for a person who seems enthusiastic about the job. I look for someone who has fire and vigor. I look for someone who has a strong personality. I pay close attention to their body language, eye contact, whether they are articulate—a good listener—and whether they can express what they feel without feeling nervous.
I can judge a prospective hire with pretty much 99% accuracy. When I met Aten I could sense her abilities, her fresh perspective on current issues and most importantly her passion.
Aten is dedicated to her beliefs. She is loyal, courageous doesn't back down when faced with adversary - (Considering our county and the politics here, you have to give it to her for even running.)
Hiring the same ol same ol will get you the same ol same ol results.
I try to keep balance in my business. I try to hire new employees because they are fresh. They are not fatigued. When I hire a new employee they are at a point where they have much room for growth.They have no bad habits to break.
She has the right attitude. and with attitude, as they say, the aptitude will come.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY with new blood, Aten can bring fresh ideas and perspectives to old problems. usually I find with a new employee, they are so enthusiastic about the job its contagious. They are so eager to work that they ask questions and find loop holes in our system that the older employees could never find simply because they were conditioned into doing things the same way. So fixed in their ways they couldn't see things from a different more efficient perspective.
Ms. Aten should have this Job. Ive watched her blossom in this campaign. Aten deserves this job because she works hard. Shes eager and hungry to learn and make the magistrate court more than what it currently is.
I apologize for my lengthy comment, it is just I feel a lot of you are not looking a the bigger picture here. Horne has served his time but now it is Aten's turn.
Southside 7 months ago
Why don't you hire aten? She sounds like a perfect fit for your company.
johnq123 7 months ago
I have a bird dog that works hard, he is eager , and thirsty , then I have old blue who is older, more experience, has patience, wisdom, and applies all the skills of a good bird dog. HE IS A WINNER..VOTE HORNE..
CR66 7 months ago
You cant gain experince until you've been given the opportunity.
VOTE FOR ATEN
kellygreen 7 months ago
I met Ms. Aten at one of the forums and ran into her again yesterday in old town. At first I didn't like her. But she won me over. I have been a resident of Rockdale for 25 years and im proud. Aten is going to do some great things with that position.
Aten has my vote!
WatchingRockdale 6 months, 4 weeks ago
I don't think these Aten supports understand how much emphasis and importance should be placed on experience for a judicial position. They keep saying new blood, and that you can't gain experience without the opportunity... This job is NOT stocking shelves or entering some data into a spread sheet! This position comes with the great responsibility of controlling peoples' lives and controlling their freedom! Very few jobs in our society carry this kind of responsibility and having someone in that position who's ethics and fairness which have never been called into question in 25 years is incredibly important. Ms. Aten yet to ever be in office and ALREADY her ethics, professionalism, and fairness have been called into question... be it her unethical signs (that have already been found to be in violation), her flat out lies and made up information about the budget (which have now been exposed) and court attendance (which has been proven wrong), how can anyone support a person like this?? This isn't just hiring some new employee at a store like the previous commenter eluded to a few spots above. This is a position that demands the utmost professionalism and ethics, which Ms. Aten has already proved she has none of during this campaign! Proven lies! Proven misstatements! Proven false allegations! What more will it take to understand that this person is grossly unqualified to hold this position??? If she wants experience, then maybe she should think about getting it by being an assistant magistrate first to learn the ropes? That is exactly what Judge Horne did. For SIX years, in fact. Ask any respected person in the legal community in Olde Town... no one seems to think very highly of Ms. Aten for the same reasons. As the conyers legal community... they know. They are completely and painfully aware of Ms. Aten's lack of ability. When asked what the Magistrate Court does (at the League of Women's Voters Forum), she COULD NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!! Go look at the video! She quickly avoided the question and started spouting off more lies about the budget. How can you elect a person to be a judge when they don't even know what the court does?!!! I just ask that everyone do their research here and look up everything I've said! All of this is true! Aside from her outright lies and completely false accusations, she is grossly unqualified compared to Judge Horne. Please, look and see for yourself! The facts do not lie like Ms. Aten!
johnq123 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Dear Editor: Ms. Aten claims she is a “sought-after attorney.” This type of attorney can make 10 times the money that a county judge makes. Why is Ms. Aten giving up her very own promised potential for such a position as Magistrate Judge in the County of Rockdale?
I think anyone with half a brain knows a couple of answers to that question. For one, Phinia Aten does not have the qualifications for that position at the present time, nor is she a “sought-after attorney.”
Gerre Byrd Rockdale County
AMEN...
Civicduty88 6 months, 3 weeks ago
ATEN HAS MY VOTE.
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