Draft Press Release

COURT OF APPEALS OF GEORGIA CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL

The Georgia Court of Appeals heard cases argued before it for the first time on this date, January __, 100 years ago today. The Court had been created by Constitutional amendment the previous year. Based on the number of opinions written per judge per year, this Court is one of the busiest intermediate appellate court in the nation.

Chief Judge ___________ announced today that the court will hold or participate in a number of events this year to commemorate the Centennial including _______,______, and ______. A formal celebration of the occasion will be held __________, 1907 at/in ________. Mr./Ms. (celebrity/prominent figures) ___________ will regale the guests with anecdotes from the Court's history and from the Judges who served it.

For further information, please contact William L. Martin, III, Clerk, at 404-656-3450.

Draft Press Release

GEORGIA COURT OF APPEALS HOLDS SESSION

IN STATE CAPITOL BUILDING

In celebration of the Centennial of the creation of the Court of Appeals, case arguments will be held at _________on _________________in the Appropriations Committee Room of the State Capitol. A hundred years ago, this room served as the Courtroom for both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. It was not until 1956 that the Court sessions were moved to the current courtrooms located in the Judicial Building at the corner of Mitchell and Washington Streets.

Following arguments this morning, Chief Judge __________ and Judges _____________________will host students from ________________. The students will be given an opportunity to question the lawyers in the cases argued, to see a video created by the court on its history and current procedures, and to discuss these procedures with the panel of judges.

For further information, please contact William L. Martin, III, Clerk, at 404-656-3450.

Draft Public Service Announcement or Invitation to an Event

RIGHT TO AN APPEAL

When you have a complaint about the customer service given you by an employee of a retail store, you can direct that complaint to the employee's supervisor or the company's officers But who does a citizen go to if they think they have not been treated in accordance with the law in one of our county courthouses? The state appellate courts: the Georgia Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. With the assistance of a lawyer or on their own, individuals can ask the appellate courts to review their case for errors in procedure or in the appropriate application of the law.

This year we celebrate the right of appeal with the Centennial birthday of the Georgia Court of Appeals. The Court was created by Constitution Amendment in 1906 and held its first session January 2, 1907. The right of appeal is one of the fundamental checks and balances on the power of the government in the justice system. Help us celebrate this right by viewing historical memorabilia of the court and attending a commemorative session of the Court of Appeals at the State Capitol on ________________ at ________.

For further information, contact William L. Martin, III, Clerk, at 404-656-3450.

Draft Offer of Centennial Law Day Presentations

In honor of the Centennial of the creation of the Georgia Court of Appeals, the court would like to present Law Day programs during the month of May, 1907 in conjunction with local bar associations, schools, and civic organizations throughout the state. The Georgia Court of Appeals was created by Constitutional amendment in 1906 and held its first session in the state Capitol January 2, 1907. The Court of Appeals is an integral part of the justice system as a court for the correction of errors. The jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals covers a wide range of issues including most criminal and juvenile delinquency cases, appeals of terminations of parental rights, child custody and support cases, negligence, and contracts.

As their schedules permit, the judges and other court personnel are available to make presentations at events or classes providing a historical account of the Court and its judges, a comparison of the past and current procedures, and court anecdotes emphasizing the importance of the right to an appeal within the justice system. The Court has just recently prepared a videotape that provides a good overview of both the history and procedures of the Court. Of course, presentations will be tailored to the audience expected.

If your school or organization would be interested in such a Law Day program, please contact William L. Martin, III, Clerk, at 404-656-3450