The Superior Court of Fulton County is pleased to announce the esteemed appointment of Judge Renata D. Turner as the Chief Presiding Judge of Fulton County’s Juvenile Court, effective February 1, 2024. Judge Juliette W. Scales has previously held this prestigious position since January 31, 2018. Judge Turner has been serving as Deputy Chief Presiding Judge under Judge Scales. Presiding Judge Christopher W. Yokom will serve as Deputy Chief under Judge Turner.
Judge Turner brings a rich history of legal experience and dedication to the bench. She was initially appointed to the Juvenile Court in April 2015 as an Associate Judge and was elevated to Presiding Judge in May 2017. Before her judicial appointments, Judge Turner enriched her legal career as the Assistant Dean of Pro Bono and Experiential Learning at John Marshall Law School, Atlanta. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the Southern California University School of Law.
“I am deeply honored to accept this crucial role,” said Judge Turner upon receiving the appointment. “My goal is to guarantee that the Fulton County Juvenile Court not only uplifts and protects our youth but also actively engages in safeguarding our community.”
As Chief Presiding Judge, Judge Turner will oversee the administrative operations of Fulton County Juvenile Court, an institution that employs over 140 individuals. The Court provides critical judicial services to individuals under 18 facing dependency, Children in Need of Services cases, and those under 17 involved in delinquency or traffic violations within Fulton County. It is the largest juvenile court in Georgia and is among the most prominent in the Southeastern United States.
Judge Turner’s notable contributions extend beyond the courtroom. She is an active Judicial Council Member of the Gault Center. She holds memberships in several prestigious legal organizations, including the Gate City Bar Association, the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. She also chairs the Ethics Committee of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution and co-chairs the Delinquency Committee of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges. Her community engagement includes board memberships at the Andrew and Walter Young Y.M.C.A. and Hillside International Truth Center, and she is a member of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Judge Turner is notably the lead judge for the teen drug court program C.H.O.I.C.E.S. and the Pathways Project, a collaborative initiative with the Court, the City of Atlanta, and Fulton County school systems aimed at dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.
For further information about the appointment, please contact JoShonda Guerrier (404) 612-7521.
