Gwinnett County

Fight between Gwinnett judge, solicitor could impact thousands of cases

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A high stakes argument over the impartiality of a Gwinnett County judge has turned into a court fight of its own.

The argument could impact hundreds if not thousands of court cases.

Gwinnett County Solicitor Brian Whiteside told Channel 2′s Tony Thomas that his team of lawyers can’t get a fair shake before recorders court Judge Wesley Person.

The solicitor has filed a motion to get Person kicked off of all cases involving the solicitor’s office -- nearly 2500 in all – as well as all future cases.

It boils down to a hallway conversation between judges where Whiteside said Person allegedly said about the solicitor.

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Person was a defense attorney in Gwinnett County known for his passion in court, before running for several different offices from district attorney to superior court judge, before becoming a recorders court judge last year. Recorders court typically handles traffic tickets and code violations.

The recusal ruling found Whiteside’s claims didn’t show that a fair-minded person would believe Person was impartial.

Whiteside told Thomas that the ruling is inappropriate and he’s looking to see if he can appeal.

Thomas texted Person Tuesday afternoon. He replied it would be improper for him to comment on what’s going on, which is standard in cases involving judges.

Whiteside said he’s also upset that the judges have issued an order blocking his staff from using back hallways where he said emergency exits and entrances are located.

That issue has not been taken up by the ruling judge.

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