Municipal Quarterly 5th Edition- 3-30

Fifth Edition

The Municipal Quarterly

150 Garnett Street, SW ~ Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Judge Terrinee L. Gundy, Editor
Municipal Court of Atlanta
1st Quarter 2016

Greetings! Welcome to the latest edition of The Municipal Quarterly. The Municipal Quarterly is a
newsletter produced quarterly to increase public awareness of policies and court ordered programs while
simultaneously promoting civic engagement and altruistic service.

The objective of The Municipal Quarterly is to keep the citizens of Atlanta abreast and informed about the
court in an effort to increase transparency between the general public and the court system at large.

We here at The Municipal Quarterly appreciate your feedback and have enhanced our publication for your
reading pleasure. This edition highlights many of the great things the court is doing through our dedication
to service to the public. I hope that you will find The Municipal Quarterly helpful, informative, and even
consider helping to spread the news by sharing it.

Sincerely,
Judge Terrinee L. Gundy

Contributing Writers
Deshanna Wiggins ~ Bria Ford ~ Tawni Fears

2016 Warrant Amnesty for Municipal Court of Atlanta

The Municipal Court of Atlanta is offering a Warranty
Amnesty Program as a goodwill gesture to individuals
who face arrest and other penalties, due to their past
failure to appear (FTA) status at court.

The court will work collaboratively with city
departments to provide a convenient, user-friendly
way for citizens to resolve outstanding cases.

Continue to check the municipal court’s website HERE for more information.

April 4, 2016-May 13, 2016
9am & 1pm

To receive a registration form by mail, contact The Municipal Court of Atlanta at (404) 658-6959 or register
in person. You MUST arrive by 7am to sign up for either docket times as they fill up fast.

The Municipal Court of Atlanta Intercept

The Municipal Court of Atlanta has experienced an
ongoing issue with collecting fines and fees from
residents over the years. To help combat this issue,
Georgia has initiated the Tax Refund Intercept Program
(T.R.I.P) pilot project for collecting unpaid debts owed to
courts during the 2016 tax season.

The Municipal Court of Atlanta had its first T.R.I.P.
Intercept this past February. The T.R.I.P. bill was
incorporated to satisfy court ordered fines and fees that
remain unpaid, along with providing those who owe the
right to contest the intercept.

For more information on the T.R.I.P bill, click HERE

New Assignments at the Court

Judge Christopher Portis has been selected as the new
presiding Judge for the Housing Court. After presiding over the
Housing Court for several years, Judge Crystal Gaines has been
selected to take over the revamped Failure to Appear (FTA)
Walk-in docket. This change is a testament to this court’s
commitment to fair, efficient and stellar customer service. The
new assignments took effect on Monday, March 14th.

Judge Christopher Portis of
the Municipal Court of Atlanta

Atlanta Tribune Honors The City’s Superwomen

Pictured above: Judge Terrinee L. Gundy, Councilman Kwanza Hall, Judge Terrinee L. Gundy addresses
Pat Lottier - Owner and publisher, Atlanta Tribune, and Katrice the honorees and guests
Mines—Editor, Atlanta Tribune Magazine

Judge Terrinee L. Gundy joined Councilman Kwanza Hall in an evening of celebration for
Atlanta’s super business women, and those on the rise. The event was in conjunction with
Atlanta Tribune’s March 2016 issue, which featured articles on each of these phenomenal
women.

The Superwomen honorees include Dr. Joy Jackson-Guilford, Mary Leftridge Byrd, Quinnie
Jenkins, and Stacy Cole-Bell. Women To Watch honorees are Charmaine Ward, Autumn Bailey,
Beverly D. Thomas, Christian Ross, Teri Plummer McClure, Tanya Hairston-Whitner, Yvette
Cook, Arlethia Perry-Johnson, Marquetta J. Bryan, and Pamela Sturdivant Stephenson. The
March issue also has Judge Gundy’s “Meet the Judge” column (article to follow).

Judge Terrinee L. Gundy addressed the guests and spoke on the importance of women in

business and in the community. Councilman Hall ended the event with his presentation of a
City of Atlanta proclamation declaring March 16th “Atlanta Tribune: Superwomen 2016 Day.”



State of The City Address

Pictured above: Mayor Kasim Reed Pictured above L to R: Judge Calvin Graves, Judge Terrinee L. Gundy,
at the State of the City Address Judge Jadawnya Butler and Judge Christopher Portis at the

State of the City Address

Less crime and an increase in the economy were some of the driving forces for Mayor Kasim
Reed’s sixth annual State of the City Address. The address focused on the city's numerous
accomplishments over the past year, including being one of the four most visited cities in the
United States, with fifty million visitors.

Many of Mayor Reed’s concerns and desires seek to expand higher education, and to
strengthen and support neighborhoods and Atlanta families. He proudly announced that the
City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Board of Education came together to secure resources for the
Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta BeltLine. This will assure that students and residents
have a place and space to grow, and be nurtured.

“All my life I’ve met people who just wanted a fair chance. They never begrudged other
people’s success. What they’ve always wanted is an equal opportunity, not a guarantee of an
equal outcome. We’re going to do our part to make sure they have an equal opportunity.
Because if you’re willing to study, we should put a book in your hands. If you’re willing to
work, we’ll put some work and a job in your hands. We’ll put a paycheck in your hands. And if
you stick with it, we will work with you to put your future back in your hands. To put a dream
back in your hands,” expressed a passionate Mayor Reed.
For the complete video and press release of Mayor Reed’s 2016 State of the City Address,
click

HERE

State of the Judiciary Address

Pictured above: Chief Justice Hugh Thompson-State Supreme Court Pictured above: members of the State and City Judiciary
and attendees of the 2016 State of the Judiciary Address

Georgia's State of the Judiciary Address was delivered by State Supreme Court Chief Justice
Hugh Thompson. Centered around change, the focus was to find ways to improve the courts,
and the relationships between the community and citizens.

Chief Justice Thompson pointed out how a healthy judicial system is imperative to the
economic development of the state. He stated that the court is well on its way to building a
court system fit for the 21st century. He also mentioned the diversity that Georgia is
experiencing means that the courts must change too.

“Our 21st century courts must be open, transparent, and accessible to all. Our citizens’
confidence in the judicial system depends on it. We must be armed with qualified and
certified interpreters, promote arbitration as an alternative to costly courtroom-bound
litigation, ensure that all those who cannot afford lawyers have an avenue toward justice, and
be constantly updating technology with the aim of improving our courts’ efficiency, while
literally saving millions of dollars “ stated Chief Justice Thompson.

For the full press release on the Supreme Court of Georgia’s 2016 Judiciary Address,
click HERE

The Court At Work & Service

Pictured above: Municipal Court of Atlanta employees

The Municipal Court of Atlanta has various programs and plans in place to increase customer
satisfaction. Recently, the court hosted its first annual quarterly staff meeting. The objective
was centered on employee togetherness and customer service. Mr. Shepard and the
administration are committed to creating a positive experience for both
employees and visitors.

In August 2015, the court also introduced its Cross Training Initiative (CTI). Each month, Cross
Training sessions happen in an effort to bridge the gap between different areas that work
together in the court. Positive interdepartmental relationships and team building will remain
the focus throughout the year. The overall goal is to continue to find ways to strengthen the
court as a whole, which in turn benefits customers and the community at large.

Nearby, residents can take advantage of
the new, state of the art, multimillion
dollar driver's license center that
opened in downtown Atlanta. The

center has the capacity to service 1,000
customers a day.

For more information, and to visit the Pictured above: The new Department of Driver Services Center
new center, click HERE
Georgia Department of Driver Services
400 Whitehall Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Georgia State University College of Law Diversity Day

Pictured above L to R: Judge Terrinee L. Gundy and Pictured above: Judge Terrinee L. Gundy, panelist ,
Stacey Moore- South Region Counsel at US Foods and attendees of Georgia State University Law Diversity Panel.

In celebration of the American Bar Association’s annual Diversity Day, Georgia State University College of Law
hosted GSU Law Diversity Day Panel. Panel members included Maheen Akhter- Associate at Schulten, Ward
&Turner, LLP, Carolina Antonini-Professor of Law at Georgia State University, Sara Hamilton- Associate at
Hunton & Williams, LLP, Stacey Moore- South Region Counsel at US Foods, and Judge Terrinee L. Gundy.

The panelists discussed how being a minority has shaped and affected their careers, as well as strategies and
tactics necessary to heighten minority presence in the legal field. The forum was open for students to ask
questions, and express concerns and frustrations regarding diversity. Panels such as these strive to provide
hands on information to improve the student’s journey into the various law fields.

Judge Terrinee L. Gundy is a strong advocate for reaching back and helping young people in the pursuit of
their goals. The Diversity Day Panel was important to her because she believes in giving real feedback that
can help shape the lives of others.

Atlanta Bar Association’s 25th Annual
Meet The Judges Luncheon

In March, the 25th annual Meet The Judges Luncheon was held at
the Capitol City Club. The event gave young lawyers and many
experienced litigators the opportunity to meet with judges in a
comfortable setting. The event was co-sponsored by the
Litigation, Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers and Atlanta Bar
Judicial Sections.

Pictured above L to R: Yoo Jin Kim– law student at Emory The Atlanta Bar Association provides minority and diversity
University, Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams-Superior Court clerkships to students attending one of the five accredited
of Fulton County, Judge Terrinee L. Gundy and Attorney Georgia law schools, and a summer law internship program
designed to give high school students a paid internship at an
Ryan Burke of Morris, Manning, & Martin, LLP Atlanta area law firm, corporation, and courts.
For more information on these programs, click HERE

Gate City Bar Hosts
Annual Black History Program and Past Presidents’ Reception

The Gate City Bar ended the month of February with its annual Black History Program and
Past Presidents' Reception. Celebrating Leaders In The Community was the theme for the
evening. Coming together to highlight local leaders gave all the guests an opportunity to
recommit themselves to service, and impacting the
lives of those around them even more.

The honorees included the Truancy Intervention

Project, Inc. , who were awarded the R. Pruden

Herndon Service Award. They work to reduce

absent students in schools by pairing them with

mentors and volunteers. Tricia "CK" Hoffler Esq,

received the President's Award of Excellence. Her

community involvement includes active participation Pictured above: Judge Terrinee L. Gundy, Chief Judge Myra
Dixon-Fulton County State Court and Judge JaDawnya Butler
in pro bono law clinics, extensive lecturing on First

Amendment matters, and women’s and children's with award recipients of Gate City Bar’s Black History Program
and Past Presidents’ Reception

concerns, to name a few.

L. Chris Stewart, Esq., was honored with the R.E. Thomas Civil Rights Award. Attorney
Stewart is recognized worldwide for his civil right cases, including the Walter Scott and
Bryant Heyward cases. They both gained national attention because of the increase in officer
related shootings in recent years.

Mr. Samuel L. Woodhouse III received the A.T. Walden Outstanding Lawyer Award.
He regularly represents large corporations, while always finding time to help in the
neighborhoods around him. He took on improving schools, as a former member of the Ethics
Commission for the Atlanta Board of Education. He also has worked with Sadie G. Mays
Health & Rehabilitation Center, as a former member of the Board of Directors.

Out & About in the City

Judge Terrinee L. Gundy, Mr. Ryan Shepard-Court City of Atlanta members of Alpha Kappa Alpha at the
Administrator, and Judge JaDawnya Butler at the AKA Founders Day Celebration Luncheon

2015 Mayor’s Masked Ball

Christopher Hicks-Director of Mayor’s Office of Film, Roberta Shields of The Ludacris Foundation,
Judge Terrinee L. Gundy, John Singleton-Film Director, and Judge Terrinee L. Gundy, and

Attorney Vince Phillips at Morehouse College’s Yvette Cook of Usher’s New Look Foundation during
The People vs. OJ screening and panel discussion. Student Leadership Day at the Carrie Steele- Pitts Home.

KUDOS KORNER

Congratulations to the Municipal Court of Atlanta’s Employees of The Month

Shaketia Brown Finance/Cashiers Mike Dawson Courtroom Staff
Chancie Thompson Warrants Tanisha Angel Data Entry
Nohemi Chavira Court Interpreter Sabrina Payne Community Court