On Friday, January 16, 2026, Law360 reported that Bryan Selph, the chief judge of the Telfair County Magistrate Court in Georgia, resigned from his position following an ethics investigation. The resignation was part of a consent agreement to resolve allegations of improper conduct, according to a report of disposition from the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission, which included a letter from Governor Brian Kemp.
The investigation centered on Selph’s alleged “extrajudicial activity” and ex parte communications with litigants involved in cases before his court. According to the commission’s report, Selph invited parties with pending cases to a rental property he owned. There, he allegedly engaged in activities that violated judicial conduct rules, which mandate judges to uphold public confidence in the judiciary’s integrity and to avoid actions that diminish the dignity of the judicial office.
The investigation also looked into claims that Selph engaged in improper discussions about pending cases with two litigants outside of the courtroom setting. Such communications are prohibited under rules against ex parte contact. The commission’s report did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the misconduct.
The consent agreement concludes the investigation into Selph’s conduct, provided he refrains from seeking or accepting any judicial office in the future, whether elected or appointed, as stated by the commission.
Selph, a Democrat, was initially elected to the Telfair County Magistrate Court in 2012 and subsequently re-elected in 2016, according to Ballotpedia.
The Georgia Council of Magistrate Judges describes the magistrate court as the “people’s court” or small claims court, where citizens often represent themselves in disputes involving claims of $15,000 or less. The court also handles criminal matters, including issuing warrants, conducting first appearances, and holding bond hearings.
Source: Law360
