Georgia Supreme Court chief justice stepping down

Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton said Friday the time is right for him to retire and explore a new direction in his life, telling colleagues and staff he will leave office on July 1, one year and two months before his tenure was to end.

“I do not now know what my next move will be,” Melton, 54, said in a written statement. “With this announcement, I can begin the search process in earnest.”

Those who know him well say Melton has never been overly preoccupied with tomorrow. That steadiness informed his 16 years on the bench, and made him particularly well-equipped to handle the havoc COVID-19 inflicted upon the judicial system.

“July 31 will mark my 30th year working in state government, 16 years with the Court,” Melton wrote in his statement. “Now is the best time for me to explore opportunities for the next season of life that will allow me to best serve our legal community and my extended family.”

The move was a surprise to colleagues and friends alike.

“I had no idea this was coming,” said longtime friend Randy Evans, a Republican operative appointed U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg by former President Donald Trump.

2020 was a stressful year, and Melton received plaudits across the board for his handling of the pandemic. He declared 12 emergency orders that suspended jury trials but allowed courts to maintain, through technology, essential proceedings. Through video conferences, Melton was able to keep the Supreme Court on schedule.

“This has been an exhausting year for him,” Evans said. “But he remained calm and steady. That’s how he’s always been.”