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Bankston announces plans to run for superior court judge

Currently is
chief assistant
district attorney
Mike Bankston, chief assistant district attorney for the South Georgia Judicial Circuit, has announced he will seek election to the seat of retiring Judge A. Wallace Cato. “It is with a great sense of respect for the huge responsibility of the office of Judge of Superior Court that I offer the citizens my candidacy,” Bankston says.
Bankston has served as chief assistant D.A. since July 2008. He says in that position, he was in charge of the prosecution of the more serious cases in the circuit, including murder, rape, armed robbery and child molestation. “I have worked diligently to develop good relationships with all of our law enforcement officers. These experiences and relationships only better prepare me for the Judiciary,” he says.
Bankston says he is actively involved in the development of a new Drug Court Program for the circuit. “This court will give nonviolent offenders, especially the younger ones, a chance to learn from their mistakes. I look forward to assisting with the expansion of these programs throughout the South Georgia Circuit.”
In private practice for 23 years in Camilla, Bankston started his legal career with James C. Brim Jr. In 1987, he began practicing with Frank C. Twitty Jr., ultimately becoming partner in the Offices of Twitty and Bankston. In private practice, Bankston was on the other side of the courtroom representing people in criminal and civil cases. “My experience gives me a perspective on the court system that very few people have, and I understand that there are two sides to every case.”
Bankston says while in private practice he also represented GFA Peanut Association, The Bank of Camilla, Planters and Citizens Bank and the Development Authorities of the City of Camilla and Mitchell County, as well as the cities of Camilla, Sale City, Newton and Baconton.
Bankston served eight years as State Court Judge in Mitchell County.
A graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Georgia Southwestern College, Bankston earned his law degree from Mercer University School of Law. He has been an active member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1985.
Bankston is past president of the Camilla Rotary Club and was named Will Watt Fellow and Paul Harris Fellow. He is married to Taylor Dunn Bankston and they have four children. The Bankstons are active members of Baconton United Methodist Church where he serves as chairman of the church council. “All of our children were raised here, and this circuit is where I live and work every day.”
The South Georgia Judicial Circuit is made up of Grady, Baker, Calhoun, Decatur and Mitchell counties.
The nonpartisan election will be held May 24, 2016.

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