On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Kimberly Smith, Chief Judge of the Clinch County Probate and Magistrate Courts in Southeast Georgia, resigned amidst an ongoing investigation into her conduct. In her resignation letter, Smith cited “medical conditions and false accusations” as reasons for her departure. This resignation marks a significant development in a year that has already seen two other chief magistrate judges in Georgia resign under similar circumstances.

Smith, a Republican who had been recently reelected in November for another term, became the third chief judge to step down this year in response to ethics investigations conducted by the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC). The resignations of the chief magistrate judges in Haralson and Heard counties occurred just weeks prior, highlighting a troubling trend within the state’s judicial system.

According to a report filed by the JQC with the Georgia Supreme Court, Smith’s resignation followed her notification about the commission’s findings by its chief investigator. The report indicated that Smith chose to resign to avoid further investigation by the JQC.

The commission’s findings revealed that Smith had violated the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct. Specific allegations included her failure to adhere to legal standards and her consistent inability to competently and diligently perform her judicial duties. The report noted that Smith’s extended absences from her court and lack of involvement in court operations contributed to these failures.

Moreover, she was found to have inadequately supervised her staff, which resulted in significant lapses in probate court operations. The JQC stated that some mandatory filing fees were not collected and required notices were not issued, leading to incorrect and improper instructions being provided to citizens regarding court filings.

In a public statement made prior to her reelection, Smith expressed her pride in serving Clinch County for 14 years as both a clerk and judge. She emphasized her commitment to facing challenges and finding legal solutions for the community, stating, “I sincerely love what I do.”

Smith’s resignation was formally submitted to Governor Brian Kemp, who accepted it the same day. As part of the agreement with the JQC, Smith has committed to refrain from seeking any future judicial office, effectively concluding the commission’s investigation into her conduct.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.