Vote Karen Beyers For Superior Court Judge-Gwinnett County

Elect Karen Beyers to be your next Superior Court Judge for Gwinnett County.Karen attended the University of Georgia School of Law. During her last year of law school, Karen tried her first felony case as an intern in the Gwinnett County District Attorney's office. Karen Beyers founded a successful private legal practice in Gwinnett County in 1992 as a sole practitioner.Karen is a fifth generation attorney.For more information please visit www.karenbeyers.com

[Zanne Orwick]

KAREN BEYERS is definately the right choice for Superior Court Judge to replace Judge Winegarden. Judge Winegarden has been abusing his position on the bench with total disregard for even the basic American Bar Association Judge Guidelines. He is rude, disrespectful, condescending to anyone who shows up without an attorney and is bias based on age, race, sex and socio-economic status. I have been in his court room and seen first hand how he treats everyone. It's embarrassing to our Judicial system and should have been addressed already by his peers!

[john]

I don't anything about Winegarden, google searched him come nothing negative. Any specifics Zanne can backup its claim? Winegarden's ruling is based on age, race, sex, can you be specific at what age, what race, and what sex?

[jet]

Very rude man. Treats people with no respect. Maybe thats why he's been married 5 times

[ann]

Judge Winegarden abuses the system in the worst way. He totally disregaurds anything that is justice in the judicial system. He is RUDE, disrespectful and does not care about how his decissions affect children.Winegarden's ruling is based on age, sex(for sure) and race. He has no understanding of what morality is. He has been married 5 times on account of how he treats people. I hope he is voted out of office. He doesn't deserve his position on the bench. He deserves to be put in his place for the rulings he has made.

[ann]

Judge Winegarden does not deserve the position he has on the bench. He is rude, disrespectful and biased. His rulings are only based according to race, sex, and age. He does not think about how his rulings affect children. I think it's time for him to be removed from office and replaced by someone who knows law. We need someone who thinks about how justice is served. He makes his judgements based on his back ground from his past 5 divorces he has faced. He is known for being negative against women.

[ann]

Zanne Orwick wrote:

KAREN BEYERS is definately the right choice for Superior Court Judge to replace Judge Winegarden. Judge Winegarden has been abusing his position on the bench with total disregard for even the basic American Bar Association Judge Guidelines. He is rude, disrespectful, condescending to anyone who shows up without an attorney and is bias based on age, race, sex and socio-economic status. I have been in his court room and seen first hand how he treats everyone. It's embarrassing to our Judicial system and should have been addressed already by his peers!

I definately agree, I think God looks down apon him saying " What did I do wrong with this seed?" He abuses his power.

[Finch]

When I saw Winegarden's election sign yesterday, I was both sick to my stomach and thrilled. Thrilled because FINALLY this person is up for election. Sick to my stomach because of how I feel about this judge.

8 years ago, we were incredibly blessed with the birth of our adopted daughter. Her birthmother was from Canada, and stayed with us during the last couple of months of her pregnancy. Everything was handled by a licensed adoption agency, and adoption attorney. We made sure that we had satisfied all of the steps to ensure our adoption would be finalized in the standard 6 months. All was set. We were excited and thrilled.

Our case was put before Judge Winegarden. He "felt" we did not satisfy our requirements by not taking the birthfather's situation into consideration. NOTE: this was a one night stand..the b'father had no contact with the b'mother..he had since been incarcerated..he was fully aware of the adoption, and he had never contacted the Gwinnett Co. courts to appeal the abandonment ruling or anything else. Judge Winegarden stalled it all - refused to speak to our attorney or us - refused to transfer the case - and made it clear that he was not a supporter of adoption. We ultimately had to SUE the Gwinnett County Courts, naming Winegarden in the suit, to have our case transferred. We were successful, and the new judge finalized our case within 2 weeks. What should have taken 6 months, ended up taking over 9 months, thousands of additional dollars, and much heartache.

This person does not deserve to be a judge. He does not support the ideals and needs of the people he is supposed to represent.

I will NOT vote for him, and I will spread the word to everyone I know. He uses his power of the bench, not to better those in Gwinnett County but rather to promote his own ridiculous agenda.

[Tracy]

I agree that Karen is a much better choice to judge the important issues that appear in our court system. I sat in Judge Weingarden's courtroom on two occassions while trying to get custody issues for my daughter straigtened out after my ex-husband was incarcerated for attempting to murder me and collect my life insurance policy. He is currently spending 17 years in federal prison. My ex-husband was not present, not represented by counsel, and his family choose not to attend on his behalf. Judge Weingarden acted as if he was the attorney and victimized me again. He was disrespectful and badgering of my daughter's therapist. After he stated that everyone should have sympathy on this poor man in prision instead of worrying about how his contact could affect our daughter, many of the cases left the courtroom to settle their affaris instead of letting him judge their case.

Most local attorneys and courthouse employees will tell you off the record that he is un-fit for his position. Karen has a very good reputation within the legal community.

[Melissa]

I do not usually become involved in local politics as I have never had a reason to be in front of a Judge. This has been very careless on my part. After knowing what happened to my friend Tracy years ago and recently finding out that Weingarden was her Judge, I started spreading the word regarding what she had been through and to lobby for this man to not be re-elected. I was completely shocked regarding the response I received from many Gwinnett County citizens that have been in this man's courtroom. None of them, I may add, were positive. It seems as though he abuses his power, belittles people and is not serving the good of the people that pay taxes in our county. He has been doing a disservice to our judicial system for long enough. It is time for Karen Beyers.

[Concerned]

I agree that Karen is the best choice and I also agree with all the comments regarding Judge Weingarden. Our family has also faced judge Weingarden in court. Finally - thankfully - someone is running against him. I think anyone who has ever been in his court room would NEVER vote for him.

[Lois Damron]

I totally agree . Judge weingardner was my sons Judge. He is facing going infront of him again on the 16th of October. I myself got sick to my stomach seeing him come up for reelection. This case of my sons is going so fast I know it is to get him in front of Weingardner. I know I will help all what I can to help elect someone else.I know from experience. Attorneys are attimadated by him. The DA made a statement to my sons Attorney. You will have to appear befor Weingardner. My sons attorney is scared to take the case to trial.

[Wanda Rios]

I went before judge Weingarden for temporary allimony & he never even bothered to hear how my husband walked out on me & never looked back on his financial obligation to me after 17 years of marriage. I am & have been disabled for 6 years receiving only social security as income. Judge Weingarden told my attorney & opposing counsel to see if they can work something out with my husband because my husband is self-employed and income really cannot be verified. He is very much against woman as far as what I experienced with him that day in court. On October 29, 2008 we go before him again & I am very much afraid of the outcome. Please help me lord.

[Peer support]

The peers of Judge Winegarden support him. Even attorneys that have lost in his Courtroom respect his abilities and experience. The negative comments are obviously venting disagreement with a decision he has had to make in his capacity as a Judge that did not go their way. The false and slanderous allegations are not supported by reality. The disgruntled few cannot tarnish the reputation of a man that has served Gwinnett for over twenty years and has presided over more than 55000 cases. Judge Winegarden should be reelected because he is a qualified and experienced Judge. Gwinnett County deserves a qualified and experienced Judge.

[Jennifer]

I went before Judge Winegarden on a modifcation of custody, child support, and visitation matter. My attorney (experienced in Gwinnett County) prepared me for his demeanor and how he handled his Courtroom.

I found Judge Winegarden to be very fair, but very matter of fact. He was a 'no none sense' kind of man. He conducted his Courtroom fairly, listened to all of the parties (and my ex-husband talked on and on and on), but at the end of the day all parties were heard and the Judge took his decision under advisement and made a decision. It may not have been the fastest road to a resolution, but it was a fair and 'final' outcome.

Now, if you were to ask my ex-husband if he thought Judge Winegarden was a 'stellar' Judge who considered fairness I don't think who would get the same story.

Bottom line. In civil cases one side or the other is always going to perceive unfairness if the case goes to trial and a Judge makes the decision. Most likely, in a criminal case one side of the other will disagree with an aspect of the Judge's decision. After reading hundreds of posts disparaging Judge Winegarden I have come to the conclusion that being a Judge is not a popularity contest. It is about being willing to make the unbiased and legal decisions, even when they are unpopular.

I am sure Judge Winegarden's opponent will have to do the same thing if she is elected to office as soon as she takes the bench. Being a Judge is not about being popular or making the fun decisions. Judge Winegarden has been making the unpopular decisions since I was in middle school.

[Zanne Orwick]

The last time I was in his courtroom (within the last 6 months) he totally dismissed a women who couldn't afford an attorney and told her when she could hire one to come back, told a hispanic women that he didn't understand her and she needed someone to speak for her, a young man can in for a probation violation and wasn't allowed to even say anything. He acted as if he was put out by every case, didn't want to hear a divorse case until both sides had exhausted all means of arbitration (was the 3rd time they had been in front of the judge). One lady was back for the 7th time to try and get child support payment from her ex-husband and the judge told the husband to start paying on the first of the next month. He was there in the courtroom, hadn't paid in 7 years, owed more than $50,000 and he was told to start paying next month?
Are you kidding me? It was all I could do not to laugh out loud. Why was he not thrown in jail if this is such a "tough on criminals" judge?
He has served his 24 years and has reached a point where he is unable to conduct himself in a fair and balanced manner. I would imagine after 24 years I would also become cynical.

[Edddie]

I guess i have been in judge Winegarden's courtroom more than anybody that is listed here so far.I have known this man for more than twenty years,i have had the opportunity to work in his courtroom for the last seventeen years,and i must agree with some of the people that have commented before me,and i guess a lot of people have had bad experiences before him,i have had the opportunity to work around the courthouse,and did not see all of these feelings of dislike.I have watched the judge preside of many cases,whether it was criminal, civil,or domestic, and found him to be a fair man,he takes his job seriously,he makes comments all the time about using the time of citizens of our county as wisely as possible.You still have the time left to go by the courthouse and drop in on him yourself and then make up your own mind about the man who is the subject of these comments.

[Steve Pickens]

I have been practicing law in Gwinnett County for more than 16 years. I have litigated cases in every court we have in Gwinnett. Judge Winegarden has been one of our judges ever since I have been a trial lawyer. I have appeared before him at least 25 times in my career. Each time I have appeared in front of him he has been professional, courteous and expeditious. Judge Winegarden is one of our most experienced judges who has an excellent grasp on the law and a common sense approach to justice. It would be devastating to the quality of our judicial system in Gwinnett to lose a Jurist with his experience and his common sense approach to adjudicating cases.
I have seen advertisements and internet blogs accusing Judge Winegarden of being rude and unprofessional. I have never once seen Judge Winegarden act unprofessional or unethical in anyway. He has always treated me and my clients with respect and courtesy. I have seen him get impatient with lawyers who show up for court unprepared and ask him to postpone their court date. But that is a situation where a judge should get impatient. Lawyers know months in advance when their court date is. Everyone from the judge to the witnesses and the opposing lawyer show up on this date ready to try the case. When one of the lawyers is not prepared and asks for more time, everyone else involved in that case has lost time and been inconvenienced. We need more judges like Richard Winegarden who are not afraid to hold a lawyer’s feet to the fire when they have had ample time to get ready for court. I hope that more lawyers who actually practice in front of Judge Winegarden will speak out and let Gwinnett know that we need to keep Judge Winegarden on the bench.

Steven A. Pickens

Mahaffey Pickens Tucker, LLP
1550 North Brown Road, Suite 125

Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043

[Lucus Harsh]

Judge Winegarden is a fair and impartial Judge, and treats attorneys and litigants alike with the dignity and respect they deserve. I have been practicing law in Gwinnett County for approximately 8 years, and worked for a local law firm prior to that. During that time, I have appeared before Judge Winegarden on many domestic cases and countless criminal cases. In all of those cases, Judge Winegarden carefully considered the facts and circumstances unique to each case and rendered judgments or decisions based on each individual case.

Judge Winegarden is tough on crime. During my tenure as a lawyer in this community, I have witnessed Judge Winegarden be tough on crime and criminals in Gwinnett County. Rejecting a cookie cutter approach to justice, Judge Winegarden listens to each case, and imposes tough sentences on serious crimes committed in Gwinnett County. He frequently confronts criminal defendants in his court about the crimes they committed, and asks tough questions demonstrating the fact he gives each case its due attention.

Based on his dedication, hard work, and long hours, Judge Winegarden has one of the lowest number of cases on his docket when compared to other Superior Court Judges. I have sat in Judge Winegarden’s courtroom late into the evening on any number of occasions on days when Judge Winegarden works late to ensure all cases are given due attention. If justice delayed is justice denied, citizens and victims of crime in Gwinnett County can rest assured they will see justice done in cases with Judge Winegarden.

As Gwinnett County citizen and member of the local bar who is familiar with Judge Winegarden, I am asking you to vote for him in the upcoming election.

Lucas O. Harsh
P.O. Box 1263
Lawrenceville, GA. 30046

[Kevin J Pratt]

If integrity, justice, experience, and character are important to you, vote for Judge Winegarden. The unknown person that posted the false negative information about Judge Winegarden must simply be a political plant. I have been before Judge Winegarden as an attorney. I have also observed other attorneys in his courtroom in an effort to broaden my skills as an attorney. He has always been respectful and polite to me and others. He seems to have a genuine concern for the parties that come before him represented and unrepresented. However, he does follow the law, and I have seen him use his discretion only in a manner that promotes having a case decided on its merits.
As a native Gwinnett resident, a husband, and a father of two boys, I am particularly pleased with the fact that Judge Winegarden has a reputation of being tough on convicted criminals.
Please take notice as you receive information about the Judges that are running for election in Gwinnett. You will likely hear Judge Winegarden’s opponent promoting a negative campaign in her efforts to win an election. It appears she is attempting to discredit a man that has honorably served Gwinnett County for over 20 years. Judge Winegarden has decided, as he always has, not to promote a negative campaign.
I do not know the person running against Judge Winegarden, and will not make any comments about her qualifications or lack of qualifications to be a Gwinnett County Judge. From looking at the Court docket, it appears that she is a criminal defense attorney that also does some divorces. It is for the voters to decide if her experience qualifies her to decide the important legal issues in major cases including the major crimes in Gwinnett.
I will say that with his 20+ years on the bench presiding over major cases, including major felony trials, Judge Winegarden definitely has the experience to be a Superior Court Judge. Moreover, because he has loyally served this County, my county, for over 20 years, and because he will not participate in a negative campaign, he has demonstrated that he also has the character to be a “Gwinnett County” Superior Court Judge.
Vote for integrity, justice, experience, and character. Vote for Judge Winegarden
www.Legalcreation.com

[Lela]

If Karen Beyer is so bent on "following the law" why is she posting signs on private property without permission as well as other signs illegally posted in right-of-ways?