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AJMLS Alumnus Judge James D. Boles, Jr. (’16) Appointed to Henry County State Court

James Darryl Boles Jr. is from Henry County. He has a law degree from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School. He is married. 

James previoulsy worked as a managing partner at Sexton & Moody, P.C.

James currently serves as a state court judge. He was appointed in 2025. 

As state court judge, oversees traffic cases and civil and criminal jury and non-jury trials, and grants applications for search and arrest warrants.

As a managing partner at Sexton & Moody, P.C., oversaw finances and budgeting, shaped and enforced firm culture, helped attract new clients, managed and mentored legal associates, and guided growth in the firm’s areas of legal practice.

- As state court judge, oversees traffic cases and civil and criminal jury and non-jury trials, and grants applications for search and arrest warrants.
- As a managing partner at Sexton & Moody, P.C., oversaw finances and budgeting, shaped and enforced firm culture, helped attract new clients, managed and mentored legal associates, and guided growth in the firm’s areas of legal practice.

Legal Experience

As of March 11, 2026, James Darryl Boles Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Seeks to protect the community, handle all cases fairly and efficiently, and be a neutral and impartial judge.

Believes in applying the law as it is written.

- Seeks to protect the community, handle all cases fairly and efficiently, and be a neutral and impartial judge.
- Believes in applying the law as it is written.

Judicial Philosophy

Seeks to promote deferred prosecution and diversion programs for people with mental health disorders, veterans, and first-time traffic offenders.

Supports providing education and counseling to reduce recidivism to lower conviction rates.

- Seeks to promote deferred prosecution and diversion programs for people with mental health disorders, veterans, and first-time traffic offenders.
- Supports providing education and counseling to reduce recidivism to lower conviction rates.
- Opposes "[legislating] from the bench."

Judicial Administration

Volunteers with WSB’s Stuff the Bus Program and coaches local high school mock trial teams.

Served as vice president of the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

- Volunteers with WSB’s Stuff the Bus Program and coaches local high school mock trial teams.
- Served as vice president of the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Community Involvement

James Darryl Boles Jr.

Loletha is from Forest Park, Georgia. She attended Walter F. George High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University. She has a Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School.

Loletha Hale has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University and a law degree from John Marshall Law School.

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Loletha Hale works as a trial attorney. She also has three years of experience as a cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons.

Judicial Candidate Resource Guide

As a legal attorney for the past 24 years, she researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, employment law, family law, and criminal defense.

- As a legal attorney for the past 24 years, she researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, employment law, family law, and criminal defense.

As of March 11, 2026, Loletha Hale’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Promises to apply the law fairly and consistently.

Advocates for treating every person with dignity and respect.

Believes in making decisions based solely on the facts and the law.

- Promises to apply the law fairly and consistently.
- Advocates for treating every person with dignity and respect.
- Believes in making decisions based solely on the facts and the law.

Committed to moving cases efficiently and responsibly.

Wants to respect the time of citizens, jurors, attorneys, and law enforcement.

Seeks to ensure litigants have meaningful access to the court.

- Committed to moving cases efficiently and responsibly.
- Wants to respect the time of citizens, jurors, attorneys, and law enforcement.
- Seeks to ensure litigants have meaningful access to the court.

Founder of the South Atlanta Food and Coat Drive.

- Founder of the South Atlanta Food and Coat Drive.

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Loletha Hale

- Despite their name, State Courts in Georgia have limited jurisdiction within their county. State Court Judges also have limited jurisdiction over the types of cases they hear, as opposed to Superior Court. 
- State Court Judges hear misdemeanors, like traffic tickets. They also issue arrest and search warrants and hold preliminary hearings in some criminal cases. 
- State Court Judges hear most civil matters that aren't related to land titles, divorce, or cases involving non-monetary damages (those matters are handled by the Superior Court).
- State Court Judges are elected in non-partisan county wide elections and serve four year terms. The Governor can appoint State Court Judges when vacancies arise. 


Local Judges who hear misdemeanors and some civil cases

Henry State Court Judge, Seat 3

Candidates (2)

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Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Community Involvement