Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

ALBANY — Judge Victoria Johnson announced her campaign for Dougherty County Superior Court judge on the steps of the Dougherty County Courthouse Tuesday morning.

The Dougherty Magistrate Court judge was joined in support by about 50 people, including Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul and Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler.

“Standing with me represents segments of the community: lawyers from both the plaintiff and defense side … the sheriff … the coroner,” she said to the crowd. “We’ve got all the people that represent this community as a whole because I want to represent the county.”

Johnson was appointed to serve in Magistrate Court on Nov. 30, 2018. Before, she served as the project manager for the Domestic Violence Unit and as an assistant district attorney in the Dougherty County District Attorney’s office. She served as an assistant state attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Jacksonville, Fla., prior to coming to Georgia.

Johnson jumped to campaign for the position after long-serving Judge Willie Lockette announced that he was not seeking another term, opting to serve in a part-time capacity instead.

“Judge Lockette has faithfully served as a judge for 33 years, and he’s decided it is time to pass the torch to the next generation,” she said. “It is going to be you that decides who that torch is getting passed to.”

In her time in Albany, Johnson has showcased a commitment to the community. She was given a backlog of unresolved cases in her first year. The judge was able to resolve 300 of them, she said. During her tenure as a judge, she handled more than 8,700 cases and as a prosecutor, closed 3,000 cases.

“I’ve done that right here in Dougherty County, with the citizens of the county,” Johnson said.

Johnson said a judgeship on the Superior Court is an important seat in the county, and it’s important to have someone who has not only legal but judicial experience, has been on the bench and has handled cases that are complex.

Outside of the court system, Johnson invested her time in the Dougherty County community, serving as an Albany State adjunct business law professor, a member of the Board of Directors of the Liberty House Domestic Violence Shelter and more.

Now, she’s a member of the board of Leadership Albany, which allows her to connect with other leaders who deal with issues in the community, an experience she said helped her better understand the needs of the community, Johnson said.

She said this experience helped her better understand the needs of the community.

“Being a part of the community makes you well-rounded,” Johnson said. “You get a little bit more up close and personal.”

Johnson said she plans to stay in touch with the community. She’s also ready to hit the ground running, trying cases that have been backed up since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Magistrate Court judge said she didn’t always see herself as a lawyer. She worked as a school teacher for 4 1/2 years until one summer, she watched a trial involving a young girl who was murdered.

“I watched the prosecutor, and I thought being in that courtroom, seeing justice unfold, that’s where I’m destined to be,” Johnson said.

She said she holds qualities like courage, humility and most of all fairness as the highest standard of being a good judge.

“You must have the courage to make tough decisions and not yield to outside pressure,” Johnson said to the crowd.

She vowed to bring fairness and continue the legacy of proper judicial temperament.

“We must treat all of them fairly,” Johnson said to the crowd. “Everyone deserves respect. Everyone deserves their day in court. So I’m asking you on May 21 that you will vote for me.”

Those who were there in support rushed to greet Johnson as she stepped away from the podium. They held campaign signs, snapped photos and showered the judge with hugs and words of support.

“I’m gonna need y’all’s help,” she said to a group of students. “Get ready to start canvassing.”

Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganStaff Photo: Lucille Lannigan