Steven D. Smith, 57, new judge of Municipal Court [Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Ga.]

July 20--Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Monday that Steven D. Smith, 57, will be Columbus' new Municipal Court judge.

Smith, who practices law with Harp and Associates, has been an attorney since 1978. He replaces former Judge Stephen Hyles, who became a U.S. magistrate on July 1.

"It's gratifying to know the governor has faith in me," Smith said.

On the criminal side, Municipal Court handles preliminary hearings, extraditions, the disposition of misdemeanor cases and the assessment of bonds for those accused of felonies.

However, at least a half of the court's duties are filled with the business of removing a non-paying tenant from a property, or removing someone from a property for violating some condition, Hyles has said.

Smith said the court has a large case load and that Perdue and Muscogee County Superior Court Chief Judge John Allen wanted to avoid a backlog.

"I think they tried to streamline this as best they could," Smith said. "It was very gratifying to go into this particular court at this particular time. Stephen Hyles has done an incredible job."

Smith received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University and his law degree from the University of Georgia. He attends King's Pasture Community Church in Hamilton, Ga.,

Smith is married to Amelia. They have six children and one grandchild.

Smith was previously vice president and director of Aflac's legal division.

While an official start date hasn't been set, Smith said he likely will take the bench around Aug. 3. He hasn't yet decided if he'll run for election in November 2012.

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