Council Profile
The Council of Juvenile Court Judges is composed of all judges of the courts exercising jurisdiction over juveniles. Council membership for Fiscal Year 2023 includes 162 members: 72 Full-Time Juvenile Courts Judges, 27 Part-Time Juvenile Court Judges; 9 Full-Time Associate Juvenile Court Judges and 7 Part-Time Associate Juvenile Court Judges; 30 Pro Tempore Judges; and 17 Senior Judges. (This info is as of 06/01/2022).
Executive Committee
Judge Render M. Heard Jr., President
Judge Warner L. Kennon Sr., President-Elect
Judge T. Neal Brunt, Vice-President
Judge Maureen Wood, Secretary
Judge Michelle Harrison, Treasurer
Judge C. Gregory Price, Immed. Past-President
Judge Thomas L. Cole, District 1
Judge Brian D. Bellamy, District 2
Judge Andrew C. Dodgen, District 3
Judge Desiree Peagler, District 4
Judge Christopher W. Yokom, District 5
Judge Deitra Burney Butler, District 6
Judge Carolyn Altman, District 7
Judge Sherri McDonald, District 8
Judge Nhan-Ai Simms, District 9
Judge Charles Evans, District 10
Mission Statement
The Council Staff provides support to juvenile courts through legal research services, legislative tracking, and specialized programs to assist in protecting the best interests of children and the state. Council policies are set by the Executive Committee, which is comprised of the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past-President; and the Executive Council which comprises a District Representative from across the state. There are nine standing committees – Accountability Court, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Benchbook/Uniform Rules, Children In Need of Services (CHINS), Delinquency, Dependency, Education/Certification, Legislative, and Technology, who will make recommendations to the Executive Committee.