When Distance Shouldn’t Prevent an Oral Argument

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One change from the COVID era remains useful at the Georgia Court of Appeals: virtual oral arguments. Judge Ken Hodges explains why he supported keeping that option available when circumstances justify it. An attorney in Valdosta, Savannah or elsewhere in Georgia may be representing an indigent client or criminal defendant with limited resources. Requiring that lawyer to travel to Atlanta can add significant time and expense that have little to do with the merits of the case. Virtual appearances can help remove that barrier. Judge Hodges still believes oral argument works best in person, where judges and attorneys can read body language, anticipate questions and interact more naturally. But…