A DeKalb County Superior Court judge is facing formal judicial misconduct charges after Georgia's Judicial Qualifications Commission concluded there was reasonable cause to believe she violated multiple provisions of the state's Code of Judicial Conduct.
According to the commission, Judge Yolanda C. Parker-Smith is accused of misconduct stemming from three separate complaints filed between 2023 and 2026.
Here's what to know.
Why is the judge facing misconduct charges?
The Judicial Qualifications Commission's investigative panel found reasonable cause to believe Parker-Smith committed judicial misconduct following investigations into complaints filed in 2023, 2024 and 2026.
Following those findings, the commission's director filed formal charges with a hearing panel, which will determine whether
the alleged conduct occurred and, if so, whether sanctions are warranted.
What are the allegations?
The complaints involve three separate incidents in which Parker-Smith is accused of:
- Threatening to jail prosecutors during a dispute over delayed court filings.
- Having a defense attorney jailed after he arrived late to court.
- Refusing to return grand jury indictments in open court because of a dispute involving a courthouse deputy.
Complaint involving prosecutors
The first complaint stems from a May 2023 criminal calendar call.
According to the investigative report, Parker-Smith threatened that "somebody's going to be in trouble" if a nolle prosequi filing was not submitted by 5 p.m.
After the filing was delayed until the following day, she later issued an order requiring two assistant district attorneys to show cause why they should not be held in contempt before ultimately rescinding the order.
Complaint involving a defense attorney
A second complaint centers on an August 2024 hearing.
The investigative report alleges a defense attorney, who arrived late after attending a separate court appearance in Henry County, was taken into custody, placed in a holding cell and detained for more than an hour without first being addressed by the judge or given an opportunity to respond.
According to the report, Parker-Smith later discussed the attorney's tardiness in open court but did not address questions about the detention.
Complaint involving grand jury indictments
The third complaint alleges Parker-Smith refused to take the bench in early 2026 because she did not want a specific sheriff's office corporal present in her courtroom.
The investigative report states another judge ultimately handled the return of the indictments so the grand jury process could move forward.
What formal charges does Parker-Smith face?
The commission alleges Parker-Smith violated several provisions of Georgia's Code of Judicial Conduct, including failing to perform judicial duties competently, failing to treat attorneys and court personnel with patience and courtesy, permitting personal relationships or interests to influence judicial conduct and failing to cooperate in the administration of court business.
The investigative committee concluded the alleged conduct warranted discipline and amounted to willful misconduct in office or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
What has Parker-Smith said?
In a statement provided by attorney Gabe Banks, Parker-Smith said she is aware of the formal charges and intends to respond through the judicial process.
"Judge Yolanda Parker-Smith has devoted years of service to the bench after being elected by the citizens of DeKalb County to serve as a Superior Court Judge," Banks said. "Judge Parker-Smith is aware of the Formal Charges and is working with her counsel to respond fully and fairly to the same."
The statement adds that Parker-Smith remains committed to carrying out her judicial responsibilities "fairly, impartially, and in service to the citizens of DeKalb County."
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Why a Georgia judge faces formal judicial misconduct charges
