---
title: "Donald O. Sheppard III | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donald-o-sheppard-iii-ga-municipal-5a6a3e3b353c63587230ddb6"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# Donald O. Sheppard III

Hiltonia Municipal Court · Chief Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hiltonia Municipal 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.

## 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


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/5a6a3e3b353c63587230ddb6/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/5a6a3e3b353c63587230ddb6/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
- [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af01fcce9168f520c4d42b/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Partner at Reddick & Sheppard, P.C. in Screven County (2008–2023)
- State Court Judge for Screven County
- The Juvenile Court Judge for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, which covers Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins, and Screven Counties

### Education


### Additional information

- Donald O. Sheppard, III is the part-time Juvenile Court Judge for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit in Georgia, serving since 2019, and also presides over municipal courts in Screven County
- Joined the bench in 2019 by the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Superior Court judges, making him the first judge for the newly created juvenile court in this circuit He presides over juvenile cases in Jenkins and Screven Counties and handles matters such as delinquency, status offenses, dependency, termination of parental rights, and juvenile traffic violations
- focusing on real estate, domestic, and juvenile law Former municipal court judge in Sylvania, Hiltonia, and Rocky Ford



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Uniform Municipal Court Rules, December 31, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-9acfd5d59c7a383c114b177a) — Municipal Court proceedings, including expressly stated civil/criminal limitations. 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/2/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01171708/UNIFORM-MUNICIPAL-COURT-RULES-12312025.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.