Mike Jacobs

Judge Mike Jacobs: Upholding Fairness at the Foundation of Georgia’s Justice System

Judge Mike Jacobs of the State Court of DeKalb County brings both personal integrity and procedural insight to his role on Georgia’s trial court bench. Since his appointment in June 2015, he has served as Chief Judge and has taken an active leadership role in the community and legal profession. Before joining the judiciary, he spent more than a decade as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, giving him a wide perspective on policy, lawmaking, and public service.

During his featured conversation on the ­See You In Court podcast, Judge Jacobs sits down with hosts Robin Frazer Clark and Lester Tate to articulate how Georgia’s trial courts both reflect and sustain public trust in the legal system. “Our trial courts are where the real work of justice happens,” he explains. “This is where citizens encounter the law in its most personal form.”

Episode 35: Trial Courts — The Foundation of the Georgia Justice System

In this interview, Judge Jacobs provides listeners a clear look at the structure and purpose of Georgia’s trial courts, with special emphasis on the dynamic of civil and misdemeanor cases in DeKalb County. Topics include:

• The role of jury trials and how the courthouse reflects everyday justice
• Case management and court calendars in practice
• The importance of judicial demeanor, accessibility, and community engagement
• His personal journey from legislator to judge, and the lessons learned along the way

Deeper Background & Public Service

Judge Jacobs graduated with a B.A. from Georgetown University in 1997 and earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2003, where he served as Executive Articles Editor of the Georgia Law Review.

He made history in 2018 as the first openly bisexual judge in the United States, a milestone that he has said is part of his effort to bring greater visibility and inclusion to the legal community. His community work extends beyond the courtroom—Judge Jacobs serves on the boards of Leadership DeKalb, the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia, and the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges.

Why This Episode Matters

Judge Jacobs’s episode stands out because he addresses the often overlooked but vital function of trial courts. While appellate rulings and high-profile decisions dominate headlines, it is at the trial court level that most Georgians first interact with the justice system. This distinction gives his interview a grounded, relatable focus that resonates with practitioners and citizens alike.

Key Takeaways

• Trial courts serve as the backbone of Georgia’s justice system, handling the bulk of civil and criminal matters.
• Effective judges bring both legal competence and human empathy to the bench.
• Public trust in the courts relies on transparency, access, and a sense of fairness built into every interaction.

Watch or Listen

🎧 Listen to the full conversation: Episode 35 — Trial Courts: The Foundation of the Georgia Justice System
📺 Watch on YouTube: See You In Court Podcast Channel