State Court will convene today in Chattooga County.  State Court Solicitor Buddy Hill had several cases continued by Judge Sam Finster earlier this after other attorneys pointed out that Hill was not to be representing clients in state court under current state law.  That law has now changed.  The Georgia General Assembly passed a bill that will allow part-time solicitors such as Mr. Hill to represent clients in civil claims, but not criminal claims. 

The bill’s language says, “(it will) provide that a part-time solicitor-general of the state court and any part-time assistant solicitor-general may engage in the private practice of law but shall not represent defendants in criminal matters in such solicitor-general's state court; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.”

The bill was sponsored in part by both State Senator Jeff Mullis and State Senator Chuck Hufstetler who represent Chattooga County.  State Representative Eddie Lumsden, who represents Chattooga and Floyd Counties said that he did not receive any comments from any constituents in Floyd or Chattooga Counties concerning the legislation, but did vote in favor of it when it was presented to the House.

The new law will go into effect on July 1^st.  Chattooga County Clerk of Court Lan Cordell told AM 1180 that none of Solicitor Hill’s cases that were continued by Judge Finster will be on the docket in this week’s session of state court.