Judge Ryan Hope serves Athens-Clarke County (ACC) as one of two State Court Judges in the county. Sworn in on March 1st, 2023, Judge Hope presides over the Athens Clarke-County State Court, a Trial Court handling traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, including serious matters such as DUI and family violence cases, and civil matters, ranging from landlord-tenant disputes to personal injury and wrongful death cases. Additionally, Judge Hope serves as a Superior Court Judge by designation, supporting Chief Superior Court Judge Eric Norris as a second Judge for the Treatment and Accountability Court (a mental health accountability court).

Judge Hope is committed to fostering trust and fairness in the judicial system. He believes that treating litigants, attorneys, and witnesses with dignity, understanding, and compassion is essential, especially in high-volume courts where many individuals encounter the legal system for the first time. It is Judge Hope’s belief that when a judge treats individuals with respect, listens to their cases attentively, and clearly explains decisions and outcomes, the community will return that same level of respect.

With a career spanning over two decades in public service, Judge Hope brings a wealth of balanced experience to the State Court bench. Before assuming his current role, he held the position of Judge of the Municipal Court of Athens-Clarke County for 6 years, having been appointed by former Mayor Nancy Denson in February of 2017. His reappointments in 2019 and 2021 by Mayor Kelly Girtz were unanimously approved by the Athens-Clarke County Commission. The Municipal Court of Athens-Clarke County handles between 20,000 – 30,000 cases annually, making it one of the busiest courts in ACC. While presiding over the Municipal Court of Athens-Clarke County, Judge Hope implemented technological advancements to enhance court efficiency and transparency. He instituted a text notification program to remind court participants of their court dates. Judge Hope also instituted the practice of allowing video court opportunities in Municipal Court, and even live-streamed Court sessions to YouTube, increasing public access to court sessions.

Prior to his judicial roles, Judge Hope served as a prosecutor for 10 years as Chief Assistant Solicitor in the Solicitor General's Office of Athens-Clarke County. Before that, he spent six years advocating for the underserved as a public defender for the UGA Legal Aid Clinic and the Western Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office. During his time as a prosecutor and as a public defender, Judge Hope appeared in court on a daily basis in a variety of proceedings from bond hearings, to pre-trial-motions, jury trials, and habeas corpus proceedings.

Throughout his legal tenure, Judge Hope has been deeply involved in the local accountability courts, recognizing the importance of rehabilitation and support within the justice system. He has served as a team member and played instrumental roles for the Athens DUI Treatment Court, Western Judicial Circuit Veterans Court and the Treatment and Accountability Court.

Judge Hope has applied his legal expertise beyond the courtroom. As a prosecutor, he conducted Continuing Legal Education training presentations for the Solicitor General’s Association, focusing on Prosecuting Defendants with Mental Health Issues. As a Judge, he has delivered ICJE training presentations to both the Council of Municipal Court Judges and the Council of Magistrate Court Judges, addressing issues of poverty within the courtroom. Judge Hope, alongside other court and community partners, spearheaded the first local Record Restriction events. The Record Restriction events enable individuals to limit access to their criminal arrest records, facilitating their pursuit of employment, housing, or professional licenses.  Judge Hope has been actively involved with the Athens-Access to Justice program and currently assists in the planning and organization of their legal Pop-Up clinics in ACC. At the pop-up clinics, attorneys provide brief individual consultations, free of charge, on topics including family law (e.g. divorce, child support, legitimation), probate law, and landlord-tenant law. Additionally, with support from the Athens to Access Justice Initiative and the Public Interest Practicum at the University of Georgia School Of Law, Judge Hope produced an informative video outlining recent changes to Georgia’s Criminal Record Restriction laws. Currently, he serves as the President-Elect of the Western Circuit Bar Association. 

Judge Hope holds a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Georgia. He has lived in Athens, GA since 1993 and remains actively engaged in his community, having served as a board member for the Timothy Road Elementary School PTO, as a den leader for his son’s Cub Scout troop, and as Board President for People Living in Recovery. Ryan and his wife reside in Athens with their two children, where they are committed to contributing to the well-being and prosperity of Athens-Clarke County.

Given his proven track record of integrity, compassion, and dedication to public service, Athens-Clarke County needs Ryan Hope to continue as our State Court Judge. His dedication to fairness, transparency, and innovation within the judicial system has undoubtedly made a positive impact on the lives of many individuals who have encountered the legal system. Vote to keep Ryan Hope on the State Court bench so he can continue his mission of serving us.