JUDGE CHAUNDRA LEWIS

BY: DOMINIQUE HUFF

Judge Chaundra Lewis recognizes her role as a state court judge for Henry County State Court is to ensure everyone has a fair and speedy trial While many judges focus on moving cases in and out like a factory conveyor belt, Lewis wants to look at being holistic and proactive not just handing out sentences.

For many judges, being holistic and centered on criminal justice reform is new but for Lewis, this is just a day in the life

During her law school days at the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphries School of Law, she worked as a volunteer for Memphis Area Legal Services where she provided pro bono assistance for those Shelby County residents facing eviction Upon her graduation from law school and acceptance into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Lewis joined with a group of women on a local, regional, and national level who believed in service

WITH ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, LEWIS LOVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH PEOPLE TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES FOR THE BETTER, SOMETHING THAT MANY JUDGES DON’T GET TO SEE.

“One of the things the sorority stands for is service to all mankind and I love doing service,” she said. “It’s all that my daughters know as when I would volunteer while they were extremely young, I would bring them in strollers with me while I worked ”

Married to Kevin Lewis for 23 years, she along with him want to leave a legacy beyond materials for their daughters

“I am partnering with my husband to do the best we can to leave a legacy for our daughters that consist of philanthropy, community service and education,” she said.

As a state court judge, Lewis presides over criminal cases below the grade of felony and tries civil litigation cases along with breach of contract cases. A state court judge also adjudicated misdemeanor criminal cases. To help with restorative justice, Lewis wants to see more involvement with Henry County Schools and expansion of accountability courts.

“We have to work with our youth early to educate them about the court to show them its not a bad place that takes people away all the time. We want to see how it works and how they can be involved with it in a positive way while learning ways to stay out of trouble,” she said.

With accountability and restorative justice, Lewis loves the opportunity to watch people transform their lives for the better, something that many judges don’t get to see.

“DO NOT ATTEMPT TO COMPARE YOUR JOURNEY TO OTHERS. WHEN IT COMES TO BEING A PHENOMENAL WOMAN, WE MUST AVOID A ONE SIZE FITS ALL DEFINITION”

“Watching a person recover from addiction, build a career, become a better parent and an overall better citizen is very rewarding,” she said. “I feel like I’m on the journey with them, we develop a rapport and sense of trust. Seeing them do what they thought was impossible is exciting ”

She agrees that not every offense requires jail time and excessive fines but rather therapy and redirecting

“It’s not a role of punishing and enforcing but overseeing their journey,” she said “I want the participants to know we’re invested in their success.”

While an elected official herself and prior to serving on the bench, she believes in the power of citizen engagement and involvement which helps create better court systems as voters elect their sheriff, state court judges, superior court judges, clerk of superior court, district attorney, solicitor general and probate judge.

“We have to do more than just tell people to go vote. We must educate and inform people of what they are voting for so they can make the best choices for their representation,” she explained.

As more calls for younger people to get involved in the criminal justice system as a career, Lewis urged those who want to go the path to start working now.

“It’s not too early to get a mentor. I started my law career without one and regret it, I could have done more had I had mentoring,” she said “Get out and network, meet people in the field and build those relationships even as a college and law student ”

She warned against comparing one’s journey to others as many seek the same things but have different paths to travel.

“Do not attempt to compare your journey to others. When it comes to being a phenomenal woman, we must avoid a one size fits all definition,” she concluded. “A woman can define whatever she believes is her being phenomenal as herself and her affairs And we should celebrate and embrace all of it.”

I’m not asking you for a handout. An unearned promotion on a platter. But what I am asking you is please don’t kick my ladder.

You see, I am going to make it to the top. Climbing through the laughter, The whispers and the chatter. And all I’m asking is that you please don’t kick my ladder. See I celebrate you.

Your name got great, Your pockets got fatter.

So why can’t you do the same for me and please don’t kick my ladder.

You see there’s room for all of us at the top. It’s hard enough for a Woman, Black, White or other to even matter

So why can’t we all just stick together and please don’t kick my ladder.”

These words, a poem written by Chief Municipal Judge for the City of McDonough Andrea Boyd The first African American and first Female of any race to achieve such a vaulted position in the city. She is very much the living definition of being a “self made woman” whose achievements are as impressive as her station.

However her life and accomplishments did not come easy. By no means did she walk a primrose path to get to where she is today. No, Chief Judge Boyd is the epitome of the old Hollywood movie saying “If you build it they will come” as she has built quite a life and legacy for herself.

“My academic career was non-traditional I started off in a community college while raising a child this is younger times Now let’s fast forward to moving to Georgia I finished college at Troy University which was located in Covington at the time. It was a satellite location. The main campus is in Troy Alabama. It was early in the game when online classes were becoming popular. I finished undergrad and attended John Marshall law school. I went there and worked full time at the law firm four nights a week. After work I would go to school.”

She studied long and hard and didn’t let an extended timeline stop her from achieving her goal.

“Law School typically takes three years but because I went part time in the evenings it took four years to finish. Here’s what I tell people. The four years are going to come no matter what. At the end of the four years there’s going to come a question, will I have it or will I not ”

“I am a founding advisory board member of the Shaquille O’Neal Boys and Girls club of Henry County. It is very important that our citizens know that the Boys and Girls Club is available and operational. I fundraise for the various programs. The children are coming from school so they don’t have to go home and be alone. They have meals, homework assistance. They have various interests. All types of different programs.

JUDGE ANDREA BOYD

It was during this time of learning that she realized corporate law, a field she had worked in as a paralegal for years, was no longer where her head, heart and soul was “Although I had been a corporate paralegal for 20 plus years as a lawyer I was no longer interested in corporate I was no longer interested in paper I went from paper to people. I branched off and started my own firm right here in McDonough”

From her firm and work in the community she discovered Angel Tree Ministries. “Angel Tree is a program created by Prison Fellowship Ministries. So as part of who I am and growing up where I grew up. I am not ashamed to say that my life has been affected by people who have been incarcerated, family members who have been incarcerated. It wasn’t just my life. I watched how incarceration is not just about the person who is incarcerated when someone is incarcerated and they are serving time in prison and even in jail. Their loved ones, especially their kids, are serving that time too. And they are serving that time with the understanding of their life and age ” She continues “Prison fellowship ministries are about reaching out to the children who are struggling with the emotional toll of having a parent or loved one incarcerated Gifts given to the children have messages from the parent and are given to the child by the parents through the ministry.”