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About Jason B. Thompson

1. Judicial Experience
2. Proven Prosecutor
3. Community Supporter

Jason B. Thompson is a native of Fayette County and has practiced exclusively in the Fayette County area. After graduating from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama in 2001, Mr. Thompson has handled matters in all of the Georgia trial courts and even argued in front of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Mr. Thompson is a trial lawyer handling business related matters and other civil litigation. Additionally, he is a Past-President of the Fayette County Bar Association, former statewide chairman of the Georgia High School Mock Trial Program for 2006, and lecturer with the Fayette County People’s Law School.

He also serves his community as judge of the Peachtree City Municipal Court and as Assistant Solicitor-General for Spalding County State Court, prosecuting misdemeanors on behalf of the State of Georgia.

ADMITTED

Georgia, 2001. Admitted in all Georgia State and Superior Courts, Georgia Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Georgia and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

EDUCATION

• Cumberland School of Law, J.D. (2001).
• Maryville College, B.A. (1997)
• Fayette County High School (1993)

MEMBERSHIPS

• Fayette County Bar Association, Past President.
• State Bar of Georgia, Member.
• Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors.
• Joseph Sams School, Board of Directors.
• Southern Crescent Chorale, Board of Advisors.
• Providence United Methodist Church, Vision Committee Chairman.
• AFC Lightning Soccer Club, President.
• Georgia High School Mock Trial Program, Past Statewide Chairman.
• Fayette County Young Professionals, Member.
• Fayette County People’s Law School, Lecturer.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Judge, Peachtree City Municipal Court.
• Certified Mediator, Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.
• Assistant Solicitor-General, Spalding County State Court.
• Order of the Barristers

What Is The Magistrate Court

The Magistrate Court serves two functions: civil law and criminal law. Magistrate Judge is a non-partisan position presiding over civil small claim actions and various criminal matters. On the civil side, a Magistrate Judge hears small claims issues of less than $15,000. Many litigants appear in Magistrate Court without an attorney; therefore, the court needs to be easily accessible. We need a judge with the right skill set, energy and personality for the job. My experiences have provided me with the proper background to meet the needs of future litigants as I strive to strengthen the current system. On the criminal side, the Magistrate Judge is often asked to hold probable cause hearings concerning arrests and search warrants. I can be the one Magistrate Judge in our county that looks at the issues with the experience of a practicing attorney, prosecutor and judge in order to make sure the warrants are handled properly from the very beginning to reduce the likelihood of a technicality occurring during a trial. Let my experience work for you.

Why I Want To Serve Our Community As Magistrate Court Judge

I have had the pleasure of serving our community as a prosecutor and as a Municipal Court Judge for Peachtree City. In both my capacity as a prosecutor and a judge, I have developed a passion for protecting and improving our community as well as our legal system. My familiarity with the criminal law updates and my ability to use technology to update our current Magistrate Court system make me the most prepared candidate to revitalize our current system.

How Does The Magistrate Court Affect You

The Magistrate Court directly and indirectly affects the lives of most Georgians. The Magistrate Court directly affects Georgians who will find themselves in small claims court. We need a judge who will make the small claims process easily accessible to the public. I believe I have the right skill set, energy and personality to do just that. In addition, the Magistrate Court indirectly affects the lives of most Georgians by making sure that warrants have been properly executed. The Magistrate Court works in conjunction with law enforcement to properly prosecute criminals and protect the rights of citizens.

Let’s Update The Magistrate Court

I will explore ways to update the current Magistrate Court system in Fayette County through the use of current technology. I would like to explore the possibility of online filing for small claims and would like to see website updates as well.

How Does A Judge Rule?

In Magistrate Court, a judge should strictly apply the law. On the civil side, a judge must insure that a plaintiff meets the burden of proof. On the criminal side, a judge must make sure that the evidence provided clearly calls for an arrest warrant or a search warrant. In addition, one must be brave enough to refuse to sign a warrant until sufficient evidence has been presented. I will be a judge that relies on the letter of the law to guide my decisions rather than my own personal beliefs.

Why Jason Is The Best Candidate For Magistrate Court Judge

I believe serving as Magistrate Judge would give me the opportunity to transform the current system in order to better serve the public. We need a judge with the right skill set, energy and personality for the job. Our Magistrate Court system needs an update. I will revitalize the filing process and will work to preserve the peace and prosperity of Fayette County. I will be the judge with the experience, determination and expertise to preside over the improved Magistrate Court system and bring the current system up-to-date. My experiences have provided me with the proper background to meet the needs of future litigants as I strive to strengthen the current system.

What is a lawsuit?

WHAT IS A LAWSUIT?
by Jason B. Thompson

When two parties have a bonafide dispute that cannot be resolved amongst themselves, the parties often turn to the judicial system to work out the differences.  In some cases (i.e. divorce, criminal law), the parties have no choice but to have their issues resolved with the help of a judge.  For the context of this article, I will generally be addressing a general civil action. When an individual (or business) cannot resolve a dispute, an attorney is generally contacted for some legal advice.  If it is determined that a lawsuit is necessary, then the client can either proceed pro se (without an attorney) or the attorney can handle the case for the client.  There are some matters in which a client MUST have an attorney (i.e. a corporation must have an attorney). The first step of the lawsuit is the filing of a Complaint.  This document outlines all of the allegations raised by the plaintiff, the party filing the suit.  The Complaint must be drafted in proper form and filed in the courthouse that will have jurisdiction and venue over the case.  Once the Complaint is filed, then it must be served upon the defendant(s).  This is usually done through the local Sheriff’s Department, but on special occasions the plaintiff can hire a special process server to serve the Complaint.  Once the Complaint has been properly served upon the defendant(s), then the defendant(s) have a deadline to file an Answer.  This deadline is dictated by the laws governing that particular jurisdiction.  A defendant must file an Answer.  Failure to do so results in a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff. The Answer will contain the defendant(s) responses to the plaintiff’s allegations.  In some cases, the defendant(s) may file a counterclaim against the plaintiff or file a cross-claim against other parties. Once the Answer has been filed, then the parties enter into a mandatory period of “discovery”.  During the discovery period, the parties have an opportunity to question the opposition and other potential witnesses through interrogatories, request for production of documents, and/or depositions.  The purpose of the discovery is for the party to find out as much as they possibly can about the other party’s case. The discovery period will expire and if the case is still not resolved, then the parties must get ready for trial.  Generally, the parties have a right to bench trial or a jury trial.  In a bench trial, the judge will decide all of the facts.  In a jury trial, a panel of jurors will sit as the finders of fact.  If the case goes to trial, then the parties will present evidence supporting their claims and will have a chance to challenge the opposing parties’ evidence and witnesses.  After the evidence has been received by the court, then a verdict will be entered. There are alternatives to trial.  If the parties agree, the case can go to non-binding mediation to try and resolve the issues with the help of a neutral party.  Arbitration is another option.  The parties can agree to the arbitration process, which is basically an informal “mini-trial”. If you are interested in learning more about this process, please contact an attorney to discuss your rights in the legal process.