What is your name?

Rachel Ross Krause

Tell us more about yourself.

Judge Rachel Ross Krause was born and raised in Macon, Georgia, and attended college at Georgia Southern University. In 2001, she graduated from Mercer Law School and was awarded the Estes Moot Court Award and the Order of the Barrister. After graduation, she practiced law for 18 years in both state and federal courts. Before becoming a judge in 2019, she was a partner with Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard and Smith. She is a member of Holy Spirit, where she taught Sunday school for 10 years. She and her husband, Tom, have three children, two in Atlanta Public Schools and their oldest is in college.

What office are you running for?

Judge of the Superior Court of Fulton County

What is your party affiliation?

Non-Partisan

Attach a photo of yourself

Attach your resume or CV.

Where did you go to school?

B.A., Political Science, Georgia Southern University, 1996 Juris Doctor, Mercer Law School, 2001

Provide the link to your campaign website.

https://www.judgerachelkrause.org

What is your job/occupation?

Judge of the Superior Court of Fulton County

What city/neighborhood do you live in?

Atlanta

Is this your first time running for office?

No

What experiences have best prepared you to hold elected office?

I am best prepared to serve as a Superior Court judge because I have been serving as one for the past five years. I have managed my docket timely and volunteered as an Accountability Court judge, helping people address substance abuse issues to restore them to positive roles in their communities. Outside the courtroom, I helped develop a system for remote jury selection during the pandemic and was elected by my fellow judges to the Court’s Executive Committee. I also serve on the statewide Pattern Jury Instruction Committee and the State Bar Board of Governors.

What actions would you take to enhance government transparency and trust in government?

Courts are constitutionally obligated to be open to the public. As a judge, my courtroom is always open to anyone who wishes to observe, whether in the courtroom or online. When I rule, I explain my reasoning and reference statutory law adopted by our legislature and case law developed by our courts. These actions demonstrate the court’s transparency and encourage trust in and understanding of our work.

The court system is increasingly seen as overtly political. What more can be done to assure the public that the courts are neutral arbitrators of the law?

The best way to assure the public that the courts are neutral arbitrators of the law is to act neutrally in all cases. Judges must demonstrate to jurors, lawyers, parties, and the public that we are interested only in upholding the law and ensuring fair, open proceedings. Any potential voter is free to questions attorneys, jurors or citizens who have appeared in my courtroom. I am confident they will say I am fair.

What are your personal security concerns, given the increasing attacks on judges and court officials nationwide and the rise in hostility toward judicial officials generally?

The court and the sheriff’s office work hard to protect us in the courthouse. Beyond the courthouse, our local law enforcement works to identify potential threats and take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of judges. Because of that, I have not had significant concerns for my personal safety.

How will you manage large caseloads exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic?

The caseload in Fulton County is unlike any other in Georgia because of the significance, volume and complexity of cases — both civil and criminal. To manage the docket, I schedule ample court time to move cases forward and work to ensure my docket is organized and active, with frequent hearings and trials. During the pandemic, we developed remote jury selection and created virtual environments for inmates to appear from jail. These steps, combined with efficient case management, have minimized the effect of the pandemic in my court.

A number of judges are now streaming their court hearings and trials so they are completely open to the public. Will you commit to streaming your courtroom proceedings so anyone will be able to view them? If not, why not?

I routinely livestream hearings, which are viewable live through the court’s website and are posted to YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@judgerachelkrause3014.

Do you believe public access to public records is sufficient in your jurisdiction and, if not, what steps do you support to remedy that?

Yes. While the system is not perfect in any jurisdiction, Georgia’s Open Records Act provides a legal mechanism for interested parties to access public records.