Thomas J. Matthews at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Current assignment
- Bibb County Juvenile Court
- Jurisdiction
- Georgia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Thomas J. Matthews
Chief Judge · Bibb County Juvenile Court
Biography
Professional career
- Chief Judge of the Macon Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court in Georgia, serving from 1997 until his retirement on January 31, 2025, after a 48‐year career dedicated to juvenile justice
- Appointed Chief Juvenile Court Judge for Macon‐Bibb, Crawford, and Peach counties on February 1, 1997
- Current role (until retirement): Chief Judge, Macon Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court
- He also held the role of an adjunct professor at Mercer University, teaching juvenile court procedures to law students
Education
- Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law and a political science degree in — J.D. (1971)
Additional information
- He was admitted to the Georgia bar in 1974.
- Before joining the judiciary, he spent 19 years as a prosecutor in the Macon District Attorney’s Office, where he received recognition such as Assistant District Attorney of the Year.
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 ↗
Sources
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 ↗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 ↗