Dougherty Co. Superior Court Chief Judge Willie Lockette retiring from the bench at end of the year

ALBANY, Ga. – A longstanding figurehead of Dougherty County’s Judicial System will be calling it a career in 2024, as he will be retiring from the bench at the end of the year.

For Chief Judge, Willie Lockette, he’ll be retiring after more than 30 years on the bench in Dougherty county.

When we asked him about why now was the time, he says he wanted to retire while he still had the passion for justice.

“I’ve been at this quite a while now. And, while I still have enthusiasm and energy for this, I want to slow down a little bit,” said Chief Judge Willie Lockette.

In Judge Lockette’s eyes, he’s proud of the work they did in 2020 to try and keep the judicial system moving, in spite of restrictions due to COVID-19.

“I think the most challenging time that I’ve served as a judge was during the COVID pandemic, when we had to creatively use other approaches to keeping justice available to our people…” said Judge Lockette.

One thing Judge Lockette tells us is that over the course of three decades, his biggest impact was being able to keep up with the times while being on the bench.

“Lots of things have changed in the 33 years I’ve been a judge. And, basically, it’s been a constant process of evolving with the changes, changes within the law, changes within the procedures, changes in how the courts respond to the needs of the community…” said Judge Lockette.

And, when asked about what he wants to be his legacy in Dougherty county, Judge Lockette says he wants the justice he helped serve to be first.

“I would like for my legacy to be that each day I came to work, I was concerned about doing justice to the parties and every situation that came before me. Every case is serious, whether it’s a small case, or a large case…” said Judge Lockette.

Judge Lockette says that while he won’t be serving on the bench, he will still preside over special cases, should he be called on by the state.

According to the Dougherty County Board of Elections, an election to name Judge Lockette’s successor will take place on May 21st.

Brian Roche reporting.

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