Russell W. Smith at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Current assignment
- Habersham County Superior Court
- Jurisdiction
- Georgia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Russell W. Smith
Chief Judge · Habersham County Superior Court
Judicial assignments
- Mountain Judicial CircuitChief JudgeSource checked October 15, 2026. Roster source 1 · Roster source 2
These published assignments do not certify a complete bench.
Biography
Professional career
- Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2010, he led the Mountain Judicial Circuit as Chief Superior Court Judge until his passing in 2025
Education
Additional information
- Judge Smith passed away on January 28, 2025, at age 61.
- Partner at Sanders, Smith, and Ranck (1993–2010)
- Judge Russell W.
- “Rusty” Smith was a long‐serving and influential judicial figure in northeast Georgia.
- Judge Smith is remembered for his leadership, fairness, and his work expanding accountability courts that provided alternatives focused on rehabilitation.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
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.
Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court RulesSupreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules ↗
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Uniform Superior Court Rules
Habersham County Superior Court; Rabun County Superior Court; Stephens County Superior Court; Mountain Judicial Circuit
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Sources
Identity source checked August 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules ↗Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms ↗Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 25, 2026
View Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗