MOULTRIE — After sitting on the bench for 31 years as the Colquitt County Court Juvenile Court judge, Bill McIntosh is retiring from the position, passing the torch to Moultrie Municipal Court Judge David Herndon.

“It has been an honor serving as judge of the Juvenile Court of Colquitt County for 31 years,” McIntosh said Tuesday. “I certainly appreciate the professionalism of the attorneys, court personnel, and all others associated with the workings of the court who have made it function smoothly and in the best interests of our young people and families.”

Herndon was appointed the new Juvenile Court judge by the Superior Court Judges of the Southern Judicial Circuit and will also continue to serve as attorney at The Law Office of David Herndon and as the Moultrie Municipal Court Judge. A 1987 Colquitt County High School graduate, Herndon earned his BA and JD law degree from the University of Georgia.

“It is humbling to serve the community my family has called home for seven generations,” Herndon said. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve the families of Colquitt County with an earnest commitment. I am grateful to our Superior Court Judges for their trust. I will continue my sincere service to the place my family calls home, Colquitt County.”

McIntosh said that serving as judge has been an education and has provided him with an insight into the lives and issues faced by the young people and parents of this community. The issues that necessitate court intervention are complex, he said, and solutions to the problems presented are many times extremely difficult, if not impossible.

The situations dealt with are at times heart-rending and would be unimaginable and foreign to most of the general public, he added.

“Thankfully, however, the Juvenile Court provides a forum for dealing with matters that so intimately affect the physical and mental health and well-being of those involved,” he said. “I am proud that the Juvenile Court exists, and I know that it will continue to seek the betterment of the lives of those it touches.”

In addition to his role with the Juvenile Court, McIntosh is the longest-serving mayor in Georgia, having taken office following the death of Mayor Willie B. Withers in 1983. Last year he was re-elected without opposition. He is expected to continue in that role.

Herndon said, “I appreciate the splendid example Bill McIntosh has shown as Juvenile Judge and continues to demonstrate in his busy law practice and continuing public service.”

“I congratulate David Herndon as he succeeds to the bench of the court. I wish him the best and am confident that he will provide excellent leadership and wisdom in service to this community,” said McIntosh.

The Juvenile Court exercises jurisdiction in cases involving delinquent, unruly, dependent, and runaway offenses under the age of 18, said Herndon. The Juvenile Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior Courts involving capital offenses, custody, child support cases, and termination of parental rights.

Herndon also said that the Juvenile Court hears dependency cases for minors under the age of 18. A dependency action is brought to remove the child from the custody of their parent or guardian when a child is thought to be abused, neglected, or without a parent or guardian.