Governor’s right to appoint lawyers to new appellate judgeships upheld

The Georgia Supreme Court issued an opinion Tuesday upholding Gov. Nathan Deal’s right to appoint three lawyers to fill newly created judgeships on the state Court of Appeals in lieu of having the positions filled by a statewide election.

Former Macon City Councilman Henry Ficklin and state NAACP President Francys Johnson Jr., along with three other men, filed a petition last year in Fulton County Superior Court challenging the constitutionality of the appointments. A judge ruled in December, denying the petition. Tuesday’s decision by the state Supreme Court affirmed that decision, according to a case summary prepared by a court spokeswoman.

A bill signed into law May 6, 2015, increased the number of seats on the Court of Appeals from 12 to 15.

The term for the appointed judges will end in December 2018. They must win re-election to hold their posts.

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Governor’s right to appoint lawyers to new appellate judgeships upheld."