GCO Member Prevails in Court of Appeals Against Chatham County Probate Judge

On June 22, 2020, the Court of Appeals of Georgia agreed with GCO member Greg Hise that Chatham County Probate Judge Thomas Bordeaux should have granted a GWL to Hise. Hise applied for a GWL in 2019 and Bordeaux denied it the same day. Hise sued in the Superior Court of Chatham County and won a writ of mandamus, ordering Bordeaux to issue Hise a GWL. Bordeaux refused to obey the Superior Court, so Hise filed a motion to have Bordeaux found in contempt. Bordeaux appealed, saying Hise was required to seek a hearing before Bordeaux before suing in mandamus. The Court of Appeals disagreed, saying Hise followed the correct procedure and is entitled to a GWL. The Court of Appeals