Trellis, Judge Stephen A Bradley: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Stephen is from Florida and holds a bachelor's degree in English and history from Emory University and a law degree from Samford University.  He is married to his wife, Lisa. They have two daughters together. His family are members of Vestry, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. He is a member of the District Attorney's Association of Georgia, the Milledgeville Bar Association, and the Ocmulgee Circuit Bar Association. 

Stephen served as a district attorney for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit before being appointed as a Superior Court Judge. He also has experience working as an assistant, and chief assistant district attorney. 

Stephen A Bradley is a Superior Court Judge for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. He was appointed to this position in 2020, and is currently serving his first term. 

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Bradley has proven himself in the courtroom by successfully handling thousands of cases, of all types - from misdemeanor infractions to capital murders."

Has handled thousands of cases, spanning misdemeanor infractions to capital murders.

The candidate's website says, "Lead prosecutor in over 12,000 felony cases"

Said he served as "lead prosecutor in over 12,000 felony cases."

The candidate's website says, "Numerous successful appellate arguments before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court."

Has experience successfully appealing in appellate court before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court. 

Received a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1994.

- Has handled thousands of cases, spanning misdemeanor infractions to capital murders.
- Said he served as "lead prosecutor in over 12,000 felony cases."
- Has experience successfully appealing in appellate court before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court. 
- Received a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1994.

Legal Experience

The candidate's website says, "Prosecution of a sitting judge and lawyer for statutory rape and child molestation, State v. Jon Philip Carr, Baldwin County"

The candidate's website says, "Stopped on-duty law enforcement officers improperly taking money, State v. Corwin Cooper, et al, Baldwin County"

The candidate's website says, "Seeking Justice through Honor. Giving Voice and Dignity to victims and"

Said, "I am strongly committed to the bedrock values of integrity, decency, and honor... We are committed to the just and careful use of all governmental resources."

As of March 19, 2024, Stephen A. Bradley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

The candidate's website says, "o Developed approach to expand accountability court prosecution options throughout all areas of circuit"

The candidate's website says, "o Currently working with the Parole Board to create a re-entry court in the Ocmulgee Circuit"

The candidate's website says, "Bradley has developed great relationships with key players throughout the courts, the bar, and the law enforcement communities, thereby ensuring strong working bonds and continuity in the office. No loss of leadership or preparedness for the serious upcoming cases."

The candidate's website says, "Developed approach to expand accountability court prosecution options throughout all areas of circuit"

The candidate's website says, "Helped construct a Circuit-wide Domestic Violence Task Force"

Helped construct a Circuit-wide Domestic Violence Task Force. 

The candidate's website says, "From 2015 through 2020, Stephen Bradley was the District Attorney... Under his leadership, the office gained efficiency in case management... He was known for... caring management of Circuit concerns..."

The candidate's website says under his leadership as District Attorney "the office gained efficiency in case management and attention to the victims of crime."

The candidate's website says, "Bradley has a passion for the efficient handling of cases in the face of mounting caseloads. He has always been very fiscally conservative with public money."

The candidate's website says, "Bradley has a passion for the efficient handling of cases... He has always been very fiscally conservative with public money."

The candidate's website says, "Bradley is committed to integrating proven approaches, such as accountability courts, Youth Challenge Academies, diversion options, faith-based initiatives, and re-entry programs, in prosecution throughout our circuit."

Committed to prosecution alternatives such as accountability courts, youth challenge academies, diversion options, faith-based initiatives, and re-entry programs.

- The candidate's website says under his leadership as District Attorney "the office gained efficiency in case management and attention to the victims of crime."
- The candidate's website says, "Bradley has a passion for the efficient handling of cases... He has always been very fiscally conservative with public money."
- Committed to prosecution alternatives such as accountability courts, youth challenge academies, diversion options, faith-based initiatives, and re-entry programs.

Judicial Administration

The candidate's website says, "Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong."

Believes "Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong."

The candidate's website says, "It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive."

Candidate's website says, "It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive."

Said, "There is no greater support that you can give a community than to stop victimization and give offenders the chance to return productively back to the workforce... These have been my daily task at our prosecutorial workbench."

Said, "[As a prosecutor,] there is no greater support that you can give a community than to stop victimization and give offenders the chance to return productively back to the workforce." 

Said, "Prosecutors must note that we serve our community just as importantly and just as effectively by taking steps to avoid recurrence of crime... We must be careful and attentive to take steps that reduce recidivism: both by freeing our neighborhoods of predators and by giving a real, honest chance to those non-violent offenders who are truly desirous."

Said, "[Prosecutors] serve our community... by taking steps to avoid recurrence of crime... A huge percent of modern criminal behavior arises from defendants already within the criminal community. We must be careful and attentive to take steps that reduce recidivism: both by freeing our neighborhoods of predators and by giving a real, honest chance to those non-violent offenders who are truly desirous."

- Said, "[As a prosecutor,] there is no greater support that you can give a community than to stop victimization and give offenders the chance to return productively back to the workforce." 
- Said, "[Prosecutors] serve our community... by taking steps to avoid recurrence of crime... A huge percent of modern criminal behavior arises from defendants already within the criminal community. We must be careful and attentive to take steps that reduce recidivism: both by freeing our neighborhoods of predators and by giving a real, honest chance to those non-violent offenders who are truly desirous."

Judicial Philosophy

The candidate's website says, "· District Chair for Boy Scouts, 2008-2009"

Served as former president of the Leadership Baldwin Association, volunteer at the Chard Wray Food Pantry, and District Chair for the Boy Scouts. 

The candidate's website says, "Developed a Multi-County Domestic Task Force to improve service to victims and reduce cost to taxpayers"

As District Attorney developed a multi-county domestic violence task force aimed to improve service to victims and reduce costs.  

Speaker at In Our Best Interest Program, which trains victims of domestic violence; Law Day at Blandy Hills Elementary School; and D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) programs in Wilkinson County Elementary, Eagle Ridge Elementary, and Sinclair Christian Academy.

The candidate's website says, "Founding coach for the Baldwin County High School Mock Trial Team"

Served as founding coach for the Baldwin County High School Mock Trial Team. 

The candidate's website says, "o Performed numerous training sessions to educate law enforcement officers"

Performed numerous training sessions aimed to educate law enforcement officers. 

- Served as former president of the Leadership Baldwin Association, volunteer at the Chard Wray Food Pantry, and District Chair for the Boy Scouts. 
- As District Attorney developed a multi-county domestic violence task force aimed to improve service to victims and reduce costs.  
- Speaker at In Our Best Interest Program, which trains victims of domestic violence; Law Day at Blandy Hills Elementary School; and D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) programs in Wilkinson County Elementary, Eagle Ridge Elementary, and Sinclair Christian Academy.
- Served as founding coach for the Baldwin County High School Mock Trial Team. 
- Performed numerous training sessions aimed to educate law enforcement officers. 

Community Involvement

Stephen A. Bradley

- Georgia Superior Court Judges hear a wide range of criminal cases from petty theft and public drunkenness to murder. Some cases in front of the Georgia Superior Court involve the death penalty. 
- On the civil side, Superior Court Judges hear cases on divorce, titles to land, contract disputes, and premises liability. 
- Superior Court Judges are elected by judicial circuit. Each county surrounding Atlanta has its own judicial circuit, while rural judicial districts typically consist of multiple counties.
- Superior Court Judges are elected to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. The Governor can appoint Superior Court Judges when vacancies arise. 