Fulton County Superior Court - Atlanta - Georgia

185 Central Avenue, SW
Justice Center Tower
Suite T-7955 / Courtroom 7F
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

404-335-2828: Fax Number

404-612-4991: Judicial Assistant
404-612-4355: Staff Attorney
404-612-4323: Case Manager
404-612-4322: Court Reporter

Doris L. Downs has served as a Fulton County Superior Court Judge, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, since March, 1996.  Elected by her peers, Judge Downs became the Court’s Chief Judge in April of 2004.  One of her primary accomplishments as Chief Judge was the implementation of the Non-Complex Criminal Trial Calendar, an intensive, deadline-driven system, whereby less serious offenses reach trial 90 days after being charged.  This calendar handles approximately 75% of all criminal cases currently being filed in the Fulton County Superior Court, giving judges and other members of the criminal justice system the ability to focus their resources on the most serious offenses such as murder, rape and armed robbery.  In her own courtroom, Judge Downs has implemented a civil and criminal case management system which significantly improved the efficiency with which cases are processed in her Division.  In light of her success, Judge Downs has been asked to teach case management skills to judges across the state. 

In April of 2002 Judge Downs assumed the responsibility as the judge who oversees Fulton County’s Drug Court Program.  This is a treatment Court where approximately 200 drug-addicted criminal defendants participate in a highly structured treatment program lasting from 12 to 18 months.  Judge Downs presides over a drug court calendar every week, reviewing the individual progress of the participants.

Prior to assuming the bench, Judge Downs had extensive criminal litigation experience.  Judge Downs practiced for a total of thirteen years with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office where she handled over 50 jury trials, and 7 bench trials.  During her last six years as a prosecutor she handled exclusively high profile/complex felony litigation.  As a prosecutor, she sought and obtained the Death Penalty against Norris Speed for the execution-style murder of Police Officer Niles Johantgen.  She also won convictions across-the-board in her last felony prosecution, the 5-week Doom Gang trial involving the torture murder of 15 year-old Nekita Waller by nine co-defendants.

In addition to her trial work she also assumed a significant role in the administration of the District Attorney’s 64 lawyer office.  Her duties included the preparation and presentation of the annual office budget, planning and implementation of an office automation program, media relations and all phases of personnel training and administration.  She also represented the District Attorney by speaking at numerous public and private functions.

Judge Downs graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia in 1977 with a B.S. in Political Science.  In 1981, she graduated cum laude with her Juris Doctorate Degree from the Lumpkin College of Law, University of Georgia.  Judge Downs is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta Bar Association, and various other bar associations.  She served as the Chairperson of the Legal Status of Women Committee of the State Bar of Georgia.  She is married to Stephen C. Andrews who is a litigation partner in the law firm Bodker, Ramsey, Andrews, Winograd & Wildstein, P.C.  They have two daughters that attend Atlanta Public Schools.