A Georgia judge is under investigation for alleged misconduct, including the improper jailing of a defense attorney and threats against prosecutors. The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JCC) of Georgia has found reasonable cause to believe Judge Yolanda C. Parker-Smith committed misconduct in office.
One complaint stems from an incident on August 14, 2024, when Parker-Smith allegedly ordered a defense attorney, identified only as 'GG', to be jailed for arriving late to court. The attorney's office had reportedly notified the judge the previous night about a conflict that would cause the delay. Despite this notification, the JCC report states that Parker-Smith instructed deputies to escort 'GG' into a holding cell upon his arrival, without allowing him to explain the circumstances.
'GG' was released at noon after being held in a basement detention area typically used for criminal offenders. He was later summoned back to Parker-Smith's courtroom, where she lectured him about punctuality. According to the report, the judge appeared confused when 'GG' informed her that his office had sent an email detailing the conflict.
Parker-Smith, 53, who has served on the Superior Court of DeKalb County since August 2020, is also accused of threatening to jail prosecutors and their staff in May 2023. This threat reportedly occurred after a legal document related to a plea agreement was filed late. The judge allegedly warned that "somebody's going to be in trouble" and would be "behind bars" if the document was not filed by a specific deadline. Although the order was filed the following day, Parker-Smith later issued a contempt of court order against the prosecutors for allegedly "lying to this court and failing to submit the nolle pros as stated." The prosecutors subsequently requested a different judge, and Parker-Smith rescinded the contempt order.
A third complaint involves Parker-Smith's alleged refusal to return indictments in open court in February of this year. The JCC report indicates the judge declined to enter her courtroom to handle the indictments because she did not wish to be in the same vicinity as a specific corporal assigned to the case, requiring another judge to complete the task.
The JCC report concludes that Parker-Smith's actions constitute willful misconduct in office and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, bringing the judicial office into disrepute and warranting discipline. The allegations include failing to comply with contempt laws, not being patient or courteous to attorneys, and allowing personal relationships or interests to influence her judicial conduct.