---
title: "John E. Morse Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-e-morse-jr"
page_type: "judge_profile"
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---

# John E. Morse Jr.

Chatham County Superior Court · Chief Judge

## Profile

- Court: Chatham 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.

## 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/58af0239ce9168f520c4dc98/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0239ce9168f520c4dc98/)
- [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/58af0239ce9168f520c4dc98/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- In 2025, Judge Morse was sworn in for his 23rd year on the Eastern Judicial Circuit after winning re-election.
- the Chief Judge of the Eastern Judicial Circuit
- Historic Appointments: Judge Morse made history as the youngest Chief Judge in Chatham County and the first African American State Court judge in the county's history

### Education

- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Georgia State University
- Mercer University — J.D.

### Additional information

- His judicial career began in 1992 when he joined the State Court, and he has since been re-elected multiple times, most recently in 2024
- Appointed to the Superior Court of Chatham County, Georgia, in 1995 by Governor Zell Miller.
- Before his appointment to the Superior Court, he held the role of a law clerk and prosecutor, gaining valuable experience in the legal field
- overseeing criminal, civil, and family cases.



## 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.