A Georgia judge arrested last week in the parking lot of a Florida strip club has chosen to step down from the bench, his attorney said.
Superior Court Judge Robert “Bert” Guy Jr. submitted his resignation letter to Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday afternoon, more than a week after a fender-bender led to his arrest at the Jacksonville bar.
In his letter, Guy called it “an honor and privilege” to serve the five-county Brunswick Judicial Circuit.
“I will be forever grateful to my judicial friends in this circuit and across the state,” he wrote, according to a copy of the letter obtained from the governor’s office. “I appreciate my remarkable staff and courthouse personnel and the attorneys and their zealous advocacy for their clients.”
Guy, who also served as president of the state’s Council of Superior Court Judges, resigned from that role last week, days after his Oct. 7 DUI charge.
His attorney, Lester Tate, said Guy decided to resign Thursday morning and return to private practice.
“He has been a very successful businessman, he was a very successful lawyer before he went on the bench, and I think he wants to return to private life,” Tate said.
In addition to being a superior court judge, Guy runs a restaurant in downtown St. Marys.
Credit: Stephen B. Morton for The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Credit: Stephen B. Morton for The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Authorities in Jacksonville said the judge was intoxicated when he backed his Mercedes-Benz into a man’s Ford F-150 while leaving Wacko’s Gentlemen’s Club about 2 a.m.
He then refused to provide his information to the other driver, offered him $500 to settle the damages and tried to drive away, according to an incident report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The 48-year-old was later charged with driving under the influence and refusing to consent to a breath test, jail logs show.
An officer wrote the judge smelled strongly of alcohol, appeared confused and slurred his words as police questioned him. He also told authorities he couldn’t remember if he was driving when his car was damaged, according to the report.
He was released from the Jacksonville jail after posting a $3,000 bond, online records show.
Guy was elected Superior Court judge in 2016 and took the bench the following year.
Tate said his client looks forward to returning to private life and said Guy’s decision to resign was understandable.
“Whenever you’re a judge, you’re under greater public scrutiny,” Tate said. “It was a choice that he made and I certainly respect that.”
By resigning, Guy avoids disciplinary action from the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the state’s judicial watchdog agency. The JQC’s director said last week the commission was aware of the arrest and that an investigation was underway.
The governor is now tasked with appointing the judge’s replacement, Kemp’s office said Friday.
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