--- title: "William A. Fears | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-a-fears" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-25" --- # William A. Fears Butts County Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Butts County Superior 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 ### recording devices and courtroom access Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.gasupreme.us/new-rule-22/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af023fce9168f520c4dd66/) - [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af023fce9168f520c4dd66/) - [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules) - [Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms](https://www.gasupreme.us/new-rule-22/) - [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af023fce9168f520c4dd66/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-a-fears", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-a-fears", "name": "William A. 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Byron Smith - He also held the role of city attorney for the City of Jackson and as attorney for the Butts County Water and Sewer Authority ### Education - William A. Fears, a native of Butts County, Georgia, earned his B.A. from the University of Georgia in 1981 and a J.D. from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1985. ### Additional information - In 2005, Judge Fears established the Towaliga Accountability Courts, which provide alternative sentencing for individuals with mental illness or substance abuse disorders. - Practiced law in Butts County from 1985 until 2003 - The Towaliga Judicial Circuit covers Butts, Lamar, and Monroe Counties. - He has presided over both civil and criminal jury trials and has extensive experience in governmental law - handling domestic cases, property disputes, probate matters, and criminal law. - Fears maintained a private solo practice and was active in local bar associations, serving as past president of both the Towaliga Bar Association and the Flint Bar Association - Beyond his judicial duties, Fears is actively involved in his community. - He volunteers with the Butts County Recreation Department, is a member of the Butts County Rotary Club, and serves on the Daughtry Foundation Board of Trustees and the Gordon Foundation Board. - He is also an active member and former Deacon of the First Baptist Church in Jackson, Georgia ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Uniform Superior Court Rules](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-815bee855bfd141a25d75d36) — 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](https://assets.georgiacourts.gov/4/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/14025702/UNIFORM-SUPERIOR-COURT-RULES-2026_04_09.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.