Chief Judge C. Andrew “Andy” Fuller of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit has been designated to serve in place of Justice Michael P. Boggs in the appeal of The State v. Hudson (S17G0739).

The Supreme Court of Georgia heard arguments in the case during its 10 a.m. session Sept. 18. In this case, the State is appealing a Georgia Court of Appeals decision that upholds a Fulton County court’s modification of a juvenile’s sentence by shortening the amount of time he will spend in prison. In addition to hearing arguments, Judge Fuller will participate in the Court’s decision.

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.

Judge Fuller, 63, was appointed to the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, which includes Dawson and Hall counties, by then-Governor Zell Miller in July of 1993. He has been reelected without opposition seven consecutive terms.

Prior to his appointment, Judge Fuller was elected as the District Attorney for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit and served in that capacity from January 1987 to July 1993. Before his public service, he was in private practice as a sole practitioner.

Judge Fuller, a lifelong resident of Gainesville, graduated from the University of Georgia in 1976 with a bachelors degree in history and a minor in political science. He obtained his law degree from Mercer University in 1980.

Judge Fuller serves as the Chairman of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and is a member of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution.  He also presides over the “Re-Entry Accountability Court Transition” (REACT Court) in Hall County, a program that provides an opportunity for residents who are returning to the area from state prison to receive intensive assistance prior to their release on parole or probation. He formerly served on the Advisory Board of the Georgia Indigent Defense Council. 

Judge Fuller is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Gainesville. He is married to Gay and they have two daughters and two grandchildren.