---
title: "Kathy Brown Valencia | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathy-brown-valencia-ga-magistrate-58af01e7ce9168f520c4d17d"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# Kathy Brown Valencia

Fayette County Magistrate Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Fayette County Magistrate Court
- State: Georgia
- Role: 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/58af01e7ce9168f520c4d17d/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af01e7ce9168f520c4d17d/)
- [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/58af01e7ce9168f520c4d17d/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The incumbent Post 2 Magistrate Judge for the Fayette County Magistrate Court in Georgia, a position she has held since 2010 and is set to serve until the end of 2028
- First appointed: November 24, 2010, by Chief Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards, succeeding Robert A. Ruppenthal
- One of several judges on the court, alongside Chief Judge Christy A. Dunkelberger and others
- Historic milestone: She was the first female magistrate court judge in Fayette County’s history

### Education


### Additional information

- Elections: Won her first full term in 2012 and re‐elected in 2016
- Valencia has been a practicing attorney for over 25 years before becoming a judge.
- Fayette County resident and meets the state’s judicial eligibility requirements, including being at least 25 years old and holding a high school diploma or equivalent



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Georgia Magistrate Court Rule 15 — virtual proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-92c085addd8bb83007e0ba04) — Georgia Magistrate Courts only. Virtual proceedings; consent, exceptions and judicial orders control. Dated 2023 source, later amendments not exhaustively certified. [Official source](https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Order-approving-Magistrate-videoconferencing-rules_entered.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.