'The Lord has blessed me:' Judge James Blanchard reflects on his career as he readies to retire
At 81 years old, Columbia County Chief Superior Court Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. has announced he is ready to take a step back from the bench. His judicial career has had an immeasurable impact on the Richmond, Burke and Columbia counties, with thousands having walked through his courtroom.
Blanchard, who will be retiring on Jan. 1, has received numerous awards for his service to the community throughout his career and has helped hundreds get back on their feet through the accountability court, which aims to rehabilitate nonviolent offenders rather than incarcerate them.
Finding his way to the bench
When Blanchard was about 14 or 15 years old, he watched a jury trial as part of a school civics event. It was during that trial he decided what he wanted to do in life.
"Carl Sanders, who eventually became governor, was a lawyer in the trial and I was just amazed at what he did," Blanchard said. "I said, 'I'd really like to do that.'"
He went on to serve in the U.S. Marine reserves from 1961 to 1967, which he said helped him mature and develop a strong sense of devotion to the country. He received his undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University, before attending law school at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
Blanchard still remembers the feeling of receiving the news that he passed the bar exam via telegram. The message just stated "affirmative" or "negative," he said.
After passing the bar, he began practicing law, having great success trying personal injury cases. After his father, a Columbia County commission chairman, passed away, his father's friends encouraged him to run to fulfill his seat. Blanchard was elected and served from 1973 to 1976.
He continued practicing law until he was appointed to the bench by then-Governor Roy Barnes on Jan. 1, 2002.
"I never had a day I regretted going to work," Blanchard said. "Even as a judge, I look forward to it and have been enjoying every moment of it. The Lord has blessed me."
The creation of accountability court
Blanchard had a strong hand in the creation of accountability court in 2007, which includes drug court, behavioral court, parental accountability court and veterans court.
The courts are designed to save taxpayers money by giving those facing jail time an opportunity to turn their lives around, with strict surveillance.
Blanchard said counseling, medical treatment, frequent drug tests or medication times, and a strict curfew over a two- or three-year program can help those with drug or behavioral issues get back on track. If an individual successfully completes the program, their charges will be dismissed. The program also helps reduce recidivism.
"There would be instances where parents wouldn't let their children come home because of their behavior or a husband and wife would split up," he said. "We would finally see couples getting back together and families getting back together when they noticed the change. We teach people that if you slip up, the treatment team is here to work with you."
Blanchard first saw a judge in Buffalo, New York start a large veterans court and thought it was a great idea. Veterans court helps veterans who may be homeless, suffering from drug addiction or PTSD, get rehabilitated. They are supported by other veterans who can relate to the struggles they may be facing.
"We try to help any veteran that has a problem, because they paid the price for us," Blanchard said. "They've seen things you and I would never believe and it haunts them – many come back with post traumatic stress disorder. We also see veterans with traumatic brain injuries after that fourth, fifth or sixth roadside bomb goes off."
In 2022, Blanchard received the Star Award from the Council of Accountability Court Judges of Georgia. In November, the Augusta chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars designated Blanchard as a "Patriot Member" for his longtime role of presiding over veterans court.
Blanchard's legacy
Being a judge is a demanding job, but Blanchard said he always tried his best to balance work and his personal life.
"There's an old saying that law is a jealous mistress, meaning that you will always go to bed at night and be thinking, 'Oh my gosh, I've overlooked something,' or wake up in the middle of the night and look something up," he said. "But I still go to church and teach a Sunday school class on the first Sunday of each month. I always take my wife on vacations and try to spend as much time as I can with family and friends, but I'm not going to fool you. Sometimes, it's very difficult."
While Blanchard will have a lot more free time come Jan. 1, he's not ready to hang up his robe just yet.
He said he has applied for senior judge status, which allows retired judges to assist with cases. Judges with senior status may be called upon if there is a backlog of cases, if a judge is sick or if a judge with a specific specialty is needed.
Looking back at his career, Blanchard said he hopes his legacy is that he was fair in the courtroom and treated everyone with respect.
"I would hope that they might remember that when we operated these accountability courts, that we made a difference in trying to change some people's lives – whether they're addicts, struggling with mental health problems, or just trying to give a veteran a break," he said.
Looking forward to the next generation of judges, Blanchard said his advice would be to not lose sight of compassion, remain patient and dedicated, and be nice to people.
Other notable awards Blanchard has received throughout his career:
Augusta University Distinguished Alumni of the Year in 2005
Georgia Southern Distinguished Alumni of the Year in 2011
The Department of Psychiatry's Community Partner Award at the Medical College of Georgia in 2013
The Augusta Bar Association's Robert L. Allgood Award for Outstanding Service to the Community in 2015
Blanchard also served on three board of directors for local banks, including:
Board of Directors of Georgia State Bank from 1970 to 1986
Board of Directors of Citizens Bank and Trust from 1990 to 1994
Board of Directors of Georgia Bank and Trust from 1996 to 2005
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Chief Superior Court Judge James Blanchard Jr. announces retirement
