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JUSTICE CHARLIE BETHEL

Charlie Bethel brings a unique set of experiences to his service on the Georgia Supreme Court.

Charlie’s legal career began with service as a law clerk on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia for Justice Charles A. Pannell, Jr. Upon completion of his clerkship, Charlie returned home to Northwest Georgia where he practiced law in Dalton and spent over a decade in the flooring industry in executive and legal capacities.

While maintaining his day job, Charlie was elected to serve as an Alderman for the City of Dalton and later served three terms in the Georgia State Senate. In the Senate, he successfully carried legislation on a broad array of topics and counts the passage of comprehensive juvenile justice reform legislation and autism insurance reform legislation (commonly referred to as “Ava’s Law”) as the high points of his legislative service.

Charlie again answered the call of public service when Governor Nathan Deal appointed him to be a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals in 2016.  Upon the retirement of former Chief Justice Harris Hines, Governor Deal appointed Charlie as a Justice on the Supreme Court of Georgia on September 4, 2018.

Throughout his years on the bench, Charlie has been faithful both to the law and his oath of office. He understands that judges must set aside their personal preferences in deciding each case before them and that they must follow the law, even when the outcome may be unpopular.

Born in Athens, Charlie was raised in Dalton, a place he and his family still call home. He and his wife, Lynsey, have three children and are active members of the First Baptist Church of Dalton.