Atlanta, October 3, 2018 – Superior Court Judge Wade Padgett of the Augusta Judicial Circuit has been designated to serve in place of Justice Sarah H. Warren in the appeal of Park v. The State (S18A1211). The Supreme Court of Georgia will hear arguments in the case on Oct. 10, 2018 during its 10:00 A.M. session. In this case, a man deemed a “sexually dangerous predator” is appealing criminal charges filed against him for his alleged destruction of the electronic monitor used by the sheriff to keep tabs on him. In addition to hearing arguments, Judge Padgett will participate in the Court’s decision.

Judge Padgett, 53, was appointed to the Augusta Judicial Circuit on Feb. 4, 2009 by then-Gov. Sonny Perdue. The Augusta Judicial Circuit includes the counties of Burke, Columbia, and Richmond. Judge Padgett served as the Chief Magistrate Judge of Columbia County from 2005 to 2009. He was the President of J. Wade Padgett, P.C. from 1995 to 2009 and was an Associate Magistrate Judge in Columbia County from 1995 to 2005. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit from 1990-1993.

Judge Padgett obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1987. He obtained his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law.

Judge Padgett is a past chairman and member of the Board of Directors of Leadership Augusta, a member of the Augusta Bar Association, and past member of the Board of Directors of the Augusta Bar Association. He was a member of Leadership Augusta, Class of 2000. Judge Padgett is a past Chair of the Uniform Rules Committee for the Council of Magistrate Judges and was an Advisor on the Georgia Council of Probate Judges. He currently serves as the Chair for the New Judge Training for the Council of Superior Court Judges. Judge Padgett also created the educational program Teenage Years 101 and continues to present this program to teens and their parents.

Judge Padgett attends Wesley United Methodist Church. He is married to Alice Wheatley Padgett, a Probate Court Judge of Columbia County. They have two children.

(Designated judges are appointed when a justice must recuse himself or herself from a particular case. The Supreme Court of Georgia maintains a list of select judges from around the state and when the need arises, the Court appoints the next judge on the list.)