About Judge Smith

From helping you put up your fence, catching your dog, or fixing your child’s bike, Judge Nathaniel Smith strives to be a good neighbor and a servant to all.  From serving our country, the community, and now serving as the Chief Magistrate Judge for the Magistrate Court of Carroll County, Judge Smith is a model of integrity, hard work, and service.  As the Chief Magistrate, he desires to continue on the path that has been set before him by continuing to faithfully serve the people as the Chief Magistrate.   

Judge Smith’s life is an example of true perseverance and service.  He was raised with his two brothers in a single parent household with his mother telling him that she could not teach him how to be a man, but that God would always serve as the father he needed, that through the course of life he would meet good men and that he should model the attributes that were of God.  Since that time, he has worked hard, endured, and served. 

Judge Smith and his wife, Shonda, have three children, Malcom, Nathaniel, and Joshua.  He and his family attend Great Savior Baptist Church where Judge Smith serves as the pastor.  Striving to keep his eye on the prize, he enjoys spending time with his family, helping others, and nature.  One of his favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:8 – brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

He began his service to others early on in life by providing tutoring services and mentorship to youth in his community and school.  Before graduating from high school, he was recognized as a giraffe by the Giraffe Hero Project for sticking his neck out for others in assisting them in making an exodus from decision making that was harmful to their lives and society.  After graduating from high school, he continued his assistance to youth and the community by becoming a mentor with Chattahoochee Flint while attending the University of West Georgia. 

His passion for pursing justice was ignited and stimulated by the late Honorable Dewey Smith that led him to employment within the legal community and obtaining his Juris Doctorate at Oklahoma City University School of Law.  After graduating law school, Judge Smith returned home to Carrollton to establish his career, start a family, and continue his life of public service.  When returning home from law school he lived out of his automobile while studying for the bar exam and after passing the bar exam, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves because he felt cause to serve the country.  On assignments from the U.S. European Command Joint Analysis Center (EUCOM JAC) to Sub-Sahara Africa with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Judge Smith has been awarded the Joint Achievement Medal, Expeditionary Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, and other campaign ribbons.

Judge Smith’s legal experience extends over two decades serving as an attorney in civil and criminal cases.  He has served as Guardian ad litem serving the best interest of children, Special Assistant District Attorney, Public Defender, as well as a Juvenile Court Judge pro-tempore and a Municipal Court Judge.  As a result of his integrity, hard work, temperament, and commitment to the law he was one of two recommended by the Judicial Nominating Committee to the Governor to serve as the State Court Judge of Carroll County. 

On March 14, 2023, he was appointed to serve as the new Chief Magistrate Judge for the Carroll County Magistrate Court by Chief Superior Court Judge John Simpson and commissioned by Governor Brian Kemp.  Upon being sworn in Judge Smith committed to expediting warrant procedures by forming a committee for the implementation of Electronic Warrants and immediately went to work to bring about needed efficiency to the Court with improved judicial assignments, predictive calendaring, and implementation of location tracking for pretrial release of select defendants charged in criminal cases. 

Through the years, Judge Smith has earned a reputation of integrity and service to others.  As a result, he was entrusted by our Chief Superior Court Judge to serve as a Superior Court Judge Pro-Tem soon after being appointed as the Chief Magistrate Judge. Though Judge Smith’s initial responsibility being that of the Chief Magistrate, in this role as Superior Court Judge pro-tempore, Judge Smith assists by presiding over negotiated resolutions of criminal matters, reviewing and executing Superior Court warrants, and when called to do so presiding over Veteran’s Court.

Judge Smith is a modest man who understands hard work, a handshake, and service to others over self.  As a good neighbor he earnestly cares for all those who come before him and strives to be better than the best judge you can imagine.  With a track record of commitment, dedication and integrity coupled with thoughtful decision-making, adherence to the law, and fairness we need Nathaniel Smith to continue as our Magistrate Court Judge. Vote to keep Nathaniel Smith on the bench as Chief Magistrate for Carrol County.