---
title: "Rhathelia Stroud | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rhathelia-stroud-ga-magistrate-58af01efce9168f520c4d265"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# Rhathelia Stroud

DeKalb County Magistrate Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: DeKalb 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/58af01efce9168f520c4d265/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af01efce9168f520c4d265/)
- [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/5ccc9fe5ca3f2f000659640f/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Current Roles: Presiding Judge, Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMHC) — the longest-running mental health court of its kind in Georgia, established in 2001 Chief Judge, Decatur Municipal Court DeKalb County Magistrate for 16 years
- The presiding judge of DeKalb County’s Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMHC) and the chief judge of the Decatur Municipal Court, with over 14 years as presiding judge and 16 years as a magistrate

### Education


### Additional information

- Held the role of MMHC director for 7 years before becoming presiding judge
- Long-time judicial leader in DeKalb County, known for her work in mental health courts, but is currently facing a high-profile legal and ethical challenge tied to a disputed will.



## 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.
- [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.