Willie Saunders earned his Bachelor's Degree from Augusta College and his Law Degree from Widener University School of Law. He has served as the Board President of the Greater Augusta Arts Council and has been part of the Board of Directors of Martinez-Evans Little League. Saunders is a member and trustee of the First Metropolitan Baptist Church and lives with his wife, Lezettra, and their four children in Augusta.

Willie Saunders previously worked as a public defender, a private practice attorney, an Assistant District Attorney, a Juvenile Court Judge, and a Chief Juvenile Judge. He has also served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation and as a member of the Institutional Review Board of Augusta University. Saunders also taught as an adjunct professor at Troy University.

Willie Saunders' campaign for Superior Court Judge is his first entry into politics.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "1995 Graduate of Widener University School of Law"

Believes in honoring the trust of Augusta citizens through dedicated legal service, from early prosecution to private practice and Juvenile Court Judge, now seeks support for Superior Court Judge role.

The candidate's website says, "Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice, Troy University (2001-2010)"

Taught as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Troy University from 2001 to 2010.

The candidate's website says, "Juvenile Court Judge, Augusta Judicial Circuit Court (2007-2012)"

Served as a juvenile court judge on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court from 2007 to 2012.

The candidate's website says, "Assistant District Attorney, Augusta Judicial Circuit Court (1996-2003)"

Served as Assistant District Attorney on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court from 1996 to 2003.

The candidate's website says, "Private Practice --- Family law, criminal law, probate matters and civil litigation (2003-2022)"

Worked in private practice from 2003 to 2022, litigating in family law, criminal law, probate matters and civil litigation.

The candidate's website says, "Richmond County Juvenile Court Public Defender (2004-2006)"

Served as a public defender on the Richmond County Juvenile Court from 2004 to 2006.

The candidate's website says, "Drug Court Public Defender, Richmond Couty Accountability Courts (2015-2022)"

Served as a drug court public defender on the Richmond County Accountability Courts from 2015-2022.

The candidate's website says, "Public Defender, Burke County State Court (2018-2022)"

Served as a public defender on the Burke County State Court from 2018 to 2022.

The candidate's website says, "Columbia County Misdemeanor Public Defender (2004-2006)"

Served as a misdemeanor public defender in Columbia County from 2004 to 2006.

The candidate's website says, "Chief Juvenile Judge, Augusta Judicial Circuit Court (2022 to present)"

Has served as the Chief Juvenile Judge on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court since 2022.

- Taught as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Troy University from 2001 to 2010.
- Served as a juvenile court judge on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court from 2007 to 2012.
- Served as Assistant District Attorney on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court from 1996 to 2003.
- Worked in private practice from 2003 to 2022, litigating in family law, criminal law, probate matters and civil litigation.
- Served as a public defender on the Richmond County Juvenile Court from 2004 to 2006.
- Served as a drug court public defender on the Richmond County Accountability Courts from 2015-2022.
- Served as a public defender on the Burke County State Court from 2018 to 2022.
- Served as a misdemeanor public defender in Columbia County from 2004 to 2006.
- Has served as the Chief Juvenile Judge on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court since 2022.

Legal Experience

Said, "If we believe your actions are inconsistent with the spirit or language of our user agreements or policies, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of the campaign, its volunteers, constituents, or others"

As of March 19, 2024, Willie Saunders’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Said, "To solicit volunteers, donations and support for the Campaign and for other candidates, issues and organizations that we support and to connect you with other volunteers"

The candidate's website says, "Communicate with you about the campaign, such as sending you information to keep you informed about various issues, events, activities, and volunteer opportunities, and provide news and information we think will be of interest to you"

The candidate's website says, "President, Board of Directors, Neighborhood Improvement Corporation (2013-2017)"

Served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation from 2013 to 2017.

Serves on the Board of Directors of the Martinez-Evans Little League.

Serves as a trustee of the First Metropolitan Baptist Church.

- Served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation from 2013 to 2017.
- Serves on the Board of Directors of the Martinez-Evans Little League.
- Serves as a trustee of the First Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Community Involvement

Instagram

Facebook

Willie Saunders

Willie Saunders earned his Bachelor's Degree from Augusta College and his Law Degree from Widener University School of Law. He lives with his wife, Lezettra, and their four children.

Willie Saunders previously worked as a public defender, a private practice attorney, an Assistant District Attorney, a Juvenile Court Judge, and a Chief Juvenile Judge.

As of April 11, 2024, Willie Saunders’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Willie Saunders is a 1991 graduate of Augusta College and has been married for 32 years to Lezettra Dionne Dunn. They have four adult children: Ian, Jalen (married to Taylor), Camille (married to Austin), and Lauryn. Specific details about where they currently live, the church they attend, or additional personal information are not provided.

As of April 3, 2024, Willie Saunders’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- 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. 