Municipal Court Judge Elected To State Post, Receives Award

Wednesday, June 26th, 2024

Dalton Judge Rob Cowan has been elected president of the Georgia Council of Municipal Court Judges. Judge Cowan will serve this year as president-elect and will serve as president next year. He previously served as a district representative, secretary, and vice president of the organization. 

"I am honored to serve in the leadership of the Council of Municipal Court Judges," Cowan said. "I am surrounded by brilliant people in my role. All of these folks want to make the judicial process easier, more transparent, and flexible, meeting the needs of our communities and the people before the court. That is why I am excited to serve as president. I hope to continue the good work that leadership before me has been able to achieve and build on their successes. Consistency and stability in the judiciary, at any level, gives the public the confidence that their case is being handled fairly."

Caption: Dalton Municipal Court Judge Rob Cowan

Judge Cowan was also honored with the organization's President's Award at its annual summer meeting earlier this month in Savannah. 

"While I am honored to receive the President's Award, there a number of people who helped address those issues which are important to the people that come to municipal courts," Judge Cowan said. "The award is a reflection of the council’s concern and focus on helping some of the folks in our that need it most so they can break the cycle of breaking the law."

Judge Cowan and Dalton’s Municipal Court have taken leadership roles in the state in recent years, pioneering first the process to use technology to go paperless and later leveraging technology to lead the way in bringing court back into session during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Cowan worked with members of the council as he and his staff developed those plans.

According to their website, the Council of Municipal Court Judges was formed in 1994 after beginning as part of the Georgia Municipal Association in 1983. Established and given jurisdiction by OCGA § 36-32-40 to further improve the administration of municipal courts across the state, the Council assists judges in the execution of their duties and promotes professional training. All judges serving in municipal and special courts in Georgia are members of the Council.