Georgia Supreme Court chief justice to step down at end of March

ATLANTA (AP) — The chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that he will be stepping down from the bench at the end of March.

Chief Justice Michael Boggs delivered a letter to Gov. Brian Kemp informing him he will leave at the end of the court term. He plans to return to private practice, according to a news release from the Supreme Court.

“Throughout my service, I have endeavored to be a good steward of the public’s trust,” Boggs wrote. “During my 21 years as a judge, I have found it especially rewarding to contribute to efforts that improve our state’s judicial system for the citizens who rely on it to deliver justice for all.”

Boggs is from Pierce County in south Georgia and his wife recently retired from full-time teaching. His resignation letter said the couple has “increasing family and personal obligations.” Boggs has served 25 years in elected office, including as a state representative, a superior court judge, a Court of Appeals judge and a Supreme Court justice.

He was appointed to the Supreme Court by then-Gov. Nathan Deal in December 2016 and was reelected twice. He has been chief justice since July 2022. His resignation means Kemp will appoint a new justice to the court and the justices will choose a new chief.