Local attorney Martha Hall has announced her candidacy for an Ogeechee Circuit Superior Court Judgeship following Judge John R. “Robbie” Turner’s announcement that he is retiring and not seeking reelection.
Turner said he felt that after serving on the bench for 32 years it was time to retire.
He said he hoped to spend more time with family, serve as a senior judge and travel.
The Ogeechee Circuit is comprised of four counties -- Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven. The Superior Court handles all felonies, all domestic relations cases and a variety of other civil matters.
As a partner at the Hall Law Group, P.C., which has offices in Statesboro and Springfield, Hall said she has over 21 years of experience in the courts as both a prosecutor and as an attorney in private practice. Hall served as assistant district attorney for the Ogeechee Circuit for six years, was elected the state court solicitor for Screven County, and served as the municipal court judge in Oliver and
Newington.
In private practice since February 2000, Hall said she has focused her work in the criminal defense area and in the domestic relations areas of divorce, child custody and child support. As an active supporter of Safe Haven and a volunteer for Effingham Victims Witness and Assistance Program, she advocates for children’s rights and fairness to all parties.
“The desire to serve the everyday working citizens of our area is something that has been instilled in me my entire life,” Hall said in her announcement. “I respect the rights afforded everyone under the Constitution and have a strong conviction to insure the law is followed impartially, but with an understanding of the effects of both the crime and punishment. I believe in fairness, and I have always felt a strong calling to protect our families, children and victims of crime.”
Hall said there hasn’t been a woman on the bench in the Ogeechee Circuit since 2000.
“I feel I would also bring diversity and equality to the bench at a time when it is important to have everyone represented.”
Martha Hall is married to Mike Hall who practices with her at the Hall Law Group, P.C. The couple makes their home in Screven County. Hall is a mother and stepmother to a family of eight children, one son-in-law and two grandchildren.
Voting for this post is May 24.