2026 Georgia General Election

2026 Georgia Primary Election

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Richard Michael Gailey Jr. lives in Eatonton, Georgia. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science and government from The University of Georgia and his law degree from Atlanta's John Marshall Law School.

Michael is an attorney with The Gailey Law Firm, LLC. He previously served as the assistant district attorney for Putnam and Morgan Counties from 1997 to 2002. He was elected solicitor general of Putnam County in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. In 2013, he was appointed to the Putnam County State Court.

Meet Our Lawyers - Eatonton - Gailey Law Firm

Michael currently works as a municipal court judge in Eatonton, Georgia and a trial attorney at The Gailey Law Firm, LLC. He previously worked as a prosecuting attorney for the Morgan County Probate Court, the Morgan County Magistrate Court, and the Eatonton Municipal Courts. He also previously worked as an assistant district attorney in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. 

Michael is currently a judge of the Putnam County State Court. He was appointed to this position in 2013 and has been re-elected twice. He also serves as the municipal court judge for the City of Eatonton. Before his appointment, Michael served as the solicitor general of Putnam County until January 9, 2013, and as an assistant district attorney for Putnam and Morgan Counties from 1997 to 2002.

Michael currently serves as the Putnam County, Georgia, State Court Judge. He was first elected in 2012 and is serving his fourth term. He previously served as the solicitor-general of Putnam County, Georgia. He served one term from 2009 to 2013. 

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As a twice re-elected Putnam County State Court Judge, has significant judicial experience in overseeing court proceedings.

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 an attorney at The Gailey Law Firm, LLC., researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients.

As a municipal court judge, oversees cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducts preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issues search and arrest warrants, and determines sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.

As a solicitor-general in Putnam County, Georgia, reviewed the charges individuals were arrested for, determined which cases and charges would be tried in court, drafted and filed documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges on behalf of the government, and provided sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.

As a prosecuting attorney for the Eatonton Municipal Court, reviewed charges for violations of city ordinances and misdemeanors, determined which cases to pursue, filed legal documents, and prosecuted cases on behalf of the city.

As a prosecuting attorney for the Morgan County Magistrate Court, oversaw misdemeanor and preliminary criminal prosecutions, presented motions in court, prepared cases, conducted legal research, and worked with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses.

As a prosecuting attorney for the Morgan County Probate Court, handled limited criminal matters within the court’s jurisdiction, reviewed charges, filed legal documents, and prosecuted cases on behalf of the county.

As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- 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 an attorney at The Gailey Law Firm, LLC., researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients.
- As a municipal court judge, oversees cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducts preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issues search and arrest warrants, and determines sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.
- As a solicitor-general in Putnam County, Georgia, reviewed the charges individuals were arrested for, determined which cases and charges would be tried in court, drafted and filed documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges on behalf of the government, and provided sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.
- As a prosecuting attorney for the Eatonton Municipal Court, reviewed charges for violations of city ordinances and misdemeanors, determined which cases to pursue, filed legal documents, and prosecuted cases on behalf of the city.
- As a prosecuting attorney for the Morgan County Magistrate Court, oversaw misdemeanor and preliminary criminal prosecutions, presented motions in court, prepared cases, conducted legal research, and worked with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses.
- As a prosecuting attorney for the Morgan County Probate Court, handled limited criminal matters within the court’s jurisdiction, reviewed charges, filed legal documents, and prosecuted cases on behalf of the county.
- As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Legal Experience

As of March 11, 2026, Richard Michael Gailey Jr. did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

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Richard Michael Gailey Jr.

- 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

Putnam State Court Judge

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