Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit Superior Courts
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History -The Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit is a single county circuit comprised of Cherokee County. This is a relatively new circumstance. Cherokee County justice began its existence the day after Christmas of 1831 in the Western Judicial Circuit1. An itinerate court was established and the place was called Cherokee Court House (now known as Canton).
Just short of a year later, the Cherokee Judicial Circuit was formed and Cherokee County was included. The County had been divided into ten counties (which later more than doubled again) and all were a part of the Cherokee Circuit.
The Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit was created by legislative act in 1851. Over the years, other circuits were created from many of the counties in the Blue Ridge Circuit2.
The first judge of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit is shown alternatively in the Supreme Court Reports as E. Irwin, A. Erwin, and David Irwin3. In 155 years, there have been a total of 24 individuals who served as Judge of the Superior Court of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. When originally sworn, Judge Mills was the 20th Judge to serve, Judge Harris the 23rd, and Judge McElyea the 24th.
Just short of a year later, the Cherokee Judicial Circuit was formed and Cherokee County was included. The County had been divided into ten counties (which later more than doubled again) and all were a part of the Cherokee Circuit.
The Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit was created by legislative act in 1851. Over the years, other circuits were created from many of the counties in the Blue Ridge Circuit2.
The first judge of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit is shown alternatively in the Supreme Court Reports as E. Irwin, A. Erwin, and David Irwin3. In 155 years, there have been a total of 24 individuals who served as Judge of the Superior Court of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. When originally sworn, Judge Mills was the 20th Judge to serve, Judge Harris the 23rd, and Judge McElyea the 24th.
Original Cherokee County 1831
_______________ 1.At the time of its creation, Cherokee comprised all of Georgia “lying west of the Chattahoochee River and north of Carroll County” (Acts, Georgia 1831). Today, the Western Circuit is comprised of Clarke and Oconee Counties. These are, interestingly enough, far to the east of Cherokee.
2. Counties split off from Blue Ridge Circuit: Campbell 1856;Carroll 1854; Cobb 1951; Forsyth 1998; Gilmer 1983; Lumpkin 1881; Paulding 1859; Union 1856; Polk 1856; Pickens 1983; Fannin 1983; Haralson 1856; Towns 1881; Dawson 1894; Milton 1932. Milton and Campbell counties are now a part of Fulton County.
3. For a list of Judges of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, see the figure below.
Today - The justice system of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit is, in many ways, a reflection of Cherokee County. With increasing population is an increasing caseload. The Circuit has responded to the growing responsibility by continuous evaluation of service delivery and the development of case management techniques. The Blue Ridge Circuit is utilizing various programs such as mediation for civil cases and innovative judicial caseload assignments for civil and criminal domestic violence cases in order to efficiently and fairly process these cases.
The Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit is comprised of a single county and court business is conducted in the Cherokee County Justice Center located at 90 North Street in the county seat of Canton, Georgia.
2007-present Martha Ellen McElyea
Also, See Georgia Official & Statistical Register for more detail.
To learn more about Cherokee County's history, visit the website of the county's historical society. Cherokee County Historical Society
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Cherokee County Justice Center
90 North Street
Canton, GA 30114
