MDJ Voter Guide: Cobb Superior Court Judgeship Held by Julie Jacobs

Editor's note: The MDJ Voter Guide was published in Saturday's newspaper.

SEAT HELD BY JULIE JACOBS

Julie Jacobs (I)

Occupation: Judge, Superior Court of Cobb County

Party: nonpartisan

Age: 45

Residence: Mableton

Hometown: I am originally from Dalton, Georgia

Family: I have been married to my husband, Chad for 19 years. We have two daughters, ages 11 and 13.

Education/military service: Georgia State University, Bachelor of Arts, 2000; Emory University School of Law, Doctor of Law, 2003

Have you served in elected office before: I was appointed to the bench in August 2022. I am running in 2024 to keep my seat.

Campaign website: www.keepjudgejuliejacobs.com

1. Can you explain your judicial philosophy in plain English?

The responsibility of judges is to interpret and uphold the rule of law as passed by the legislative branch and executed by the executive branch. I do my best to interpret the law by its plain and ordinary meaning and to not allow my own personal feelings to affect my judgment. As a superior court judge, however, we are given wide discretion on many matters, and there are times when it’s imperative that a judge apply a balance of “good, old-fashioned common sense” and mercy.

2. What is your philosophy on judicial activism, and what effect should judges have in setting or promoting public policy?

Judges cannot fulfill their duties under the United States and Georgia Constitutions while also engaging in judicial activism. Our superior court judges are required to be nonpartisan for a reason, and there is no room for politics or judicial activism in my courtroom. I step onto the bench every day with the goal of setting my personal feelings aside so that I can fairly and impartially apply the law. It would be outside the bounds of my authority, and unjust to the parties who appear before me, to manipulate the interpretation of our laws to conform with my personal beliefs. I took an oath to faithfully and impartially discharge justice and uphold equal rights for the poor and the rich; I take that oath seriously. The citizens of Cobb County have my solemn commitment that I will faithfully interpret the law as written and I will not abuse my position on the bench by allowing my own personal policy preferences to affect my decisions.

3. What are the biggest changes you think we need to make to our justice system, if any?

A trend I have seen in other parts of the country is the politicization of the courts. That is concerning to me. Judges should remain nonpartisan and be held to a higher standard than other elected officials. There is no place for partisan politics in an independent judiciary, and the removal of partisan interests will help to restore the high level of trust traditionally found in the judiciary. We should also continue to focus on utilizing the range of judicial services offered --- from traditional courts to accountability courts as appropriate --- to allow judges to continue meeting the variety of needs often experienced by parties who appear before us.

4. What standards would you set for yourself regarding the acceptance of gifts or social hospitality?

Unlike recent reports involving the U. S. Supreme Court, Georgia's superior court judges are governed by the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct. In particular, Rule 5.4 identifies the circumstances under which judges may accept gifts. I will always adhere to the letter and the spirit of the rule and will refuse any gift that would cause the Cobb community to question my independence, integrity, or impartiality.

Sylvia Goldman did not respond.