---
title: "Matthew Wade Padgett | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-wade-padgett-ga-magistrate-660d4df4fa63b8002842cb75"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# Matthew Wade Padgett

Columbia County Magistrate Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Columbia 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/660d4df4fa63b8002842cb75/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/660d4df4fa63b8002842cb75/)
- [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/660d4df4fa63b8002842cb75/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge J. Wade Padgett is a nonpartisan judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals, appointed in 2024 and re‐elected in 2026, with over three decades of judicial and legal service in Georgia
- Superior Court Judge, Columbia Judicial Circuit (2021–2024)
- Superior Court Judge, Augusta Circuit (2009–2018)
- Associate Magistrate Judge, Columbia County (1995–2004)
- Private practice with O. Franklin Askin, Jr. P.C. (1993–1995)
- Assistant District Attorney, Augusta Judicial Circuit (1990–1993)
- Judge, Georgia Court of Appeals (96th judge)
- Creator of the “New Judge Orientation” program for Georgia Superior Court judges

### Education

- Georgia State University College of Law — J.D. (1990)
- in History, University of Georgia — B.A. (1987)

### Additional information

- Appointed: April 3, 2024, by Governor Brian Kemp to fill the unexpired term of Christian Coomer
- Emory Findley Award (2024) for service to the Council of Superior Court Judges
- President, Council of Superior Court Judges (2021–2022)
- Chief Magistrate, Columbia County (2004–2009)
- Developed “Teenage Years 101,” an award‐winning youth education program on crime and drug use



## 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.