Joshua Thermon Teague Announces his Candidacy for the Office of Probate Judge in the Republican Primary.

To the people of Gilmer County:

Outside of 3 brief years while attending law school, I have been blessed to call Gilmer County home for my entire life. My family has been a part of this community for generations. I know many of you. I have worked with you. I attended school with you. I have worshiped with you. That is to say, Gilmer County is a large part of who I am and the people of this wonderful community have helped me to become who I am. It is for this reason that I am announcing my candidacy for the Office of Gilmer County Probate Judge.

As many of you may be aware the office of probate judge in Gilmer County has traditionally not been filled by a licensed Attorney or someone with a legal education. However, as years have progressed many new laws have been passed and our legal system has become increasingly complicated and difficult to navigate. State law requires candidates for probate judge in all large counties be licensed attorneys, and in recent elections both Fannin and Pickens county have elected licensed attorneys to serve as their probate judge. It is important to note that the probate judges in larger counties do not preside over more complicated matters, they simply have a larger jurisdiction. The Gilmer County Probate Judge is charged not only with administrating wills and elections, but with hearing contested court cases argued by Attorneys and individuals alike to determine if a will has been tampered with or was the product of fraud or coercion, hearing traffic and criminal cases such as DUI, hearings over easement use, and determining whether to grant a guardianship or conservatorship over someone and remove their rights to make their own decisions, manage their affairs, control their finances, and make their own medical decisions.

I do not believe that the level of fairness and due process you receive in Court should ever be dictated by the size of the community you live in. I believe that the people of Gilmer county deserve the same level of due process as the people of Cobb, Dekalb, Fannin, and Pickens Counties. I believe that when someone applies to be appointed guardian over their family member or loved one that they deserve to have a Judge with a legal education determine if the legal requirements are met. I believe that when someone has to appear before a judge for a traffic or criminal citation that they deserve to have a Judge who has practiced law and has been licensed by the State Bar, hear any motions they may have and preside over a trial while applying all proper legal precedents, case law, and evidentiary standards. I believe that the Judge who is charged with determining whether the document which reflects someone’s last wishes is valid, has not been tampered with, or was made under duress. The Probate Judge should be as qualified as a Judge who can grant an adoption, divorce, name change, or the attorneys who appear before them.

Currently, I am a private attorney. I have represented clients in Federal and State courts, securing guardianships and conservatorships, contesting and probating wills, defended clients charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal charges, and secured large settlements for serious injuries and wrongful death for my Clients. I received my Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law after obtaining my Bachelors of Science in Social Science Education form Kennesaw State University. Before entering private practice I completed internships with the United State’s Attorney’s Office, Judge Roger Bradley, and Chief Judge Brenda Weaver. I serve as the choir director and young adult Sunday school teacher for Mount Vernon Baptist Church. My Wife, LeeAnn, and I have two young children, Gracelyn and Jarrett. My Parents are Jerry Teague and Robin Gates. My Grandparents are the late Thermon and Betty Teague, and Vera Culp and the late Sam Gates.

I hope to be able to be bring the same drive, experience, knowledge, and eagerness to help people that has marked my private practice to the office of Probate Judge and to the service of the people of Gilmer County. In that spirit, I look forward to the opportunity to serve the people of Gilmer County and ask for your vote and support in the upcoming Republican Primary election in May, 2016.