--- title: "Arthur L. Smith III | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/arthur-l-smith-iii" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-09-06" --- # Arthur L. Smith III Chattahoochee County Superior Court · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Chattahoochee County Superior Court - State: Georgia - Role: Chief Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-25 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - The Chief Judge of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Superior Court in Georgia, serving since January 1, 2023, and has been a judge since 2011 - On January 1, 2023, he is also designated the Chief Superior Court Judge of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit - On July 31, 2012, he was elected by the citizens of the circuit to serve as judge for a full four-year term, beginning January 1, 2013 - In December of 2011, he was sworn in by Governor Nathan Deal to serve as Judge of the Superior Courts of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit - Judge Smith practiced as a private attorney from 1979-1989 in a general practice law firm in Columbus - U.S. Navy Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer ### Education - Columbus College (now known as CSU) — B.A. - Samford University's Cumberland School of Law and later obtained an L — J.D. ### Additional information - Was re-elected without opposition in 2016 and 2020. - Columbus High School in 1973 - Judge Smith is active in St. - He also served as a JAG Officer in the U.S. - Judge Smith is currently the President of the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia and serves as a member of the Judicial Council which is the governing Board of all classes of Georgia Courts. - Prior to judicial service, he was Administrative Judge of the Third Judicial District of Georgia and served on the Executive Committee of the Council of Supreme Court Judges - Judge Smith presides over the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Superior Court, which covers Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Talbot, and Taylor counties. - As Chief Judge, he also serves as President of the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia and is a member of the Judicial Council, the governing board for all Georgia courts ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic devices and recording Scope: statewide Georgia's class-specific Uniform Court Rules govern electronic devices and recording in state trial courts. Before using recording, photography, livestreaming, or similar courtroom technology, confirm the governing rule and the assigned court's procedure. Evidence excerpt: Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court Rules [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording devices and courtroom access Scope: statewide For Georgia Superior Court proceedings, statewide Rule 22 governs recording devices and courtroom recording; counsel should confirm judge approval and courtroom conditions before using recording, photographic, or comparable electronic presentation equipment. Evidence excerpt: The new version will take effect on May 1, 2018. [Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms](https://www.gasupreme.us/new-rule-22/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0241ce9168f520c4dd9e/) - [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0241ce9168f520c4dd9e/) - [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules) - [Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms](https://www.gasupreme.us/new-rule-22/) - [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0241ce9168f520c4dd9e/) - [Official court biography — Arthur L. Smith III](https://columbusga.gov/courts/Superior1/Officials) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/arthur-l-smith-iii", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/arthur-l-smith-iii", "name": "Arthur L. Smith III | KnowJudges", "description": "Arthur L. Smith III, Chattahoochee County Superior Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-09-06", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/arthur-l-smith-iii#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/arthur-l-smith-iii#judge", "name": "Arthur L. 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Smith III", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/arthur-l-smith-iii" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Uniform Superior Court Rules](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-815bee855bfd141a25d75d36) — Superior Court proceedings. Collected April 9, 2026 compilation; amendments effective November 5, 2026 are future on this collection date and are not applied. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://assets.georgiacourts.gov/4/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/14025702/UNIFORM-SUPERIOR-COURT-RULES-2026_04_09.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.