AJC Politics, Meet the 34-year-old judge who is overseeing Trump prosecution in Georgia

Superior Court of Fulton, Judge Scott McAfee

LinkedIn

Scott has a bachelor's degree in political science from Emory University and a law degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Danielle, have two children.

Scott was previously the inspector general in Georgia, an assistant US attorney in Atlanta, the Senior Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, an associate at  Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP, the Assistant District Attorney in Barrow County, and a Judicial Intern for both Justice Keith Blackwell and Justice David Nahmias on the Georgia Supreme Court.

Scott F. McAfee is currently a Superior Court Judge in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. He was sworn in on February 1, 2023 and is serving his first term.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Judge Scott McAfee has devoted his career to public service. First as a state and federal prosecutor and then as Georgia’s Inspector General."

The candidate's website says, "While with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, Judge McAfee started in the complaint room and worked his way up to the major case division where he exclusively handled homicide prosecutions... As an AUSA in the Northern District of Georgia, he investigated and prosecuted major drug trafficking organizations and fraud conspiracies."

While with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, he worked his way up to the major case division where he exclusively handled homicide prosecutions.

As Georgia’s Inspector General, he was responsible for allegations of fraud, waste, and corruption.

During law school, he interned for Georgia Supreme Court Justices David Nahmias and Keith Blackwell by helping with oral arguments and drafting court opinions on homicide case appeals.

He has experience in private practice, focusing on personal injury cases.

Between 2018 and 2021, he was an assistant U.S. attorney in Atlanta, where he helped with major drug investigations.

He is assigned as the Judge overseeing Trump's prosecution in Georgia.

- While with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, he worked his way up to the major case division where he exclusively handled homicide prosecutions.
- As Georgia’s Inspector General, he was responsible for allegations of fraud, waste, and corruption.
- During law school, he interned for Georgia Supreme Court Justices David Nahmias and Keith Blackwell by helping with oral arguments and drafting court opinions on homicide case appeals.
- He has experience in private practice, focusing on personal injury cases.
- Between 2018 and 2021, he was an assistant U.S. attorney in Atlanta, where he helped with major drug investigations.
- He is assigned as the Judge overseeing Trump's prosecution in Georgia.

Legal Experience

The candidate's website says, "Later, as Georgia’s Inspector General, Scott was responsible for policing allegations of fraud, waste, and corruption throughout the entire executive branch."

The candidate's website says, "Maintain Full Transparency and Accountability"

As of March 19, 2024, Scott F. McAfee’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

The candidate's website says, "...he was sworn in as Fulton County’s newest Superior Court Judge... Scott is running for election in 2024 so that he can continue serving our community by clearing the COVID backlog, giving everyone their fair day in court..."

Said, "I look forward to continuing my service as your Fulton Superior Court Judge, delivering timely justice for all. I ask for your continued trust and your vote on May 21, 2024."

Said, "Justice delayed is justice denied. The pandemic left the Fulton Superior Court with an immense backlog of cases that I am working hard every day to clear so that everyone can get the justice they deserve."

Believes the pandemic left the Fulton Superior Court with a huge backlog of cases that needs to be addressed. 

The candidate's website says, "Judge McAfee has pledged to be fully transparent with all public matters that come before him. In an effort to maintain this pledge he has provided a live-stream of all courtroom proceedings that can be viewed on Youtube."

Provided a live-stream of all courtroom proceedings that can be viewed on Youtube to be fully transparent with all public matters.

- Believes the pandemic left the Fulton Superior Court with a huge backlog of cases that needs to be addressed. 
- Provided a live-stream of all courtroom proceedings that can be viewed on Youtube to be fully transparent with all public matters.

Judicial Administration

The candidate's website says, "Those found guilty of violent offenses will be held accountable for their actions so that our community is kept safe from violent crime."

Said, "True justice isn’t about locking people up and throwing away the key. I will work to provide a path forward for those who have made mistakes and have a desire to become productive members of our community."

- Said, "True justice isn’t about locking people up and throwing away the key. I will work to provide a path forward for those who have made mistakes and have a desire to become productive members of our community."

Judicial Philosophy

BBC, Judge Scott McAfee: The young jurist handling Trump's Georgia trial

He is a volunteer scuba diver at the Georgia Aquarium.

- He is a volunteer scuba diver at the Georgia Aquarium.

Community Involvement

Scott F. McAfee

He was previously the inspector general in Georgia, an assistant US attorney in Atlanta, the Senior Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, an associate at  Carlock, Copeland & Stair, LLP, the Assistant District Attorney in Barrow County, and a Judicial Intern for both Justice Keith Blackwell and Justice David Nahmias on the Georgia Supreme Court.

Scott McAfee, Judge

Scott F. McAfee earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Emory University and his law degree from the University of Georgia Law School where he was a member of the Federalist Society. He volunteers as a scuba diver at the Georgia Aquarium. McAfee lives with his wife, Danielle, and their two children.

Scott F. McAfee previously worked as an associate attorney at Carlock, Copeland & Stair, a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, and the Georgia Inspector General.

Scott F. McAfee currently serves as a Judge on the Superior Court of Fulton County and has held the position since 2023.

Judge McAfee has devoted his career to public service. First as a state and federal prosecutor and then as Georgia’s Inspector General.

While with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, Judge McAfee started in the complaint room and worked his way up to the major case division where he exclusively handled homicide prosecutions.

As an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia, he investigated and prosecuted major drug trafficking organizations and fraud conspiracies.

Served as Georgia’s Inspector General, responsible for policing allegations of fraud, waste, and corruption throughout the entire executive branch.

He was named trial court lawyer of the year during his time working in the Fulton County District Attorney's office.

- While with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, Judge McAfee started in the complaint room and worked his way up to the major case division where he exclusively handled homicide prosecutions.
- As an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Georgia, he investigated and prosecuted major drug trafficking organizations and fraud conspiracies.
- Served as Georgia’s Inspector General, responsible for policing allegations of fraud, waste, and corruption throughout the entire executive branch.
- He was named trial court lawyer of the year during his time working in the Fulton County District Attorney's office.

Pledged to be fully transparent with all public matters that come before him.

- Pledged to be fully transparent with all public matters that come before him.

Provided a live-stream of all courtroom proceedings that can be viewed on Youtube to maintain transparency.

Said "the pandemic left the Fulton Superior Court with an immense backlog of cases that I am working hard every day to clear so that everyone can get the justice they deserve."

- Provided a live-stream of all courtroom proceedings that can be viewed on Youtube to maintain transparency.
- Said "the pandemic left the Fulton Superior Court with an immense backlog of cases that I am working hard every day to clear so that everyone can get the justice they deserve."

Said "those found guilty of violent offenses will be held accountable for their actions so that our community is kept safe from violent crime."

- Said "those found guilty of violent offenses will be held accountable for their actions so that our community is kept safe from violent crime."
- Said, "True justice isn’t about locking people up and throwing away the key. I will work to provide a path forward for those who have made mistakes and have a desire to become productive members of our community."

Volunteers as a scuba diver at a local aquarium where his work includes a few different things such as cleaning exhibits.

- Volunteers as a scuba diver at a local aquarium where his work includes a few different things such as cleaning exhibits.

Scott F. McAfee met his wife Danielle at the University of Georgia (UGA). They currently have two children, aged four and two. Details about their current place of residence, the church they attend, or further family information are not provided.

As of April 3, 2024, Scott F. McAfee’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. 