---
title: "Tom Cranford | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tom-cranford-ga-magistrate-5f318fd720786f0015b5ea57"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# Tom Cranford

Dodge County Magistrate Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Dodge 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/5f318fd720786f0015b5ea57/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/5f318fd720786f0015b5ea57/)
- [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/5f318fd720786f0015b5ea57/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- This role involves presiding over magistrate court cases, managing court operations, and ensuring the fair and efficient administration of justice at the local level
- While the title “judge” is sometimes used informally, this is a magistrate-level judicial position, distinct from superior court or probate judges

### Education


### Additional information

- Tom Cranford has been serving in this role since the 2025 term began, following prior service as Chief Magistrate from 2021–2025.
- Nonpartisan officeholder, and his work focuses on local judicial administration and case resolution in the magistrate court system
- The Chief Magistrate of Dodge County, Georgia, serving in a judicial role that oversees magistrate court matters, not a trial court judge position



## 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.