Effingham County State Court Judge Stephen Yekel, veteran Georgia attorney and now a part of fallen, passed away suddenly on December 31, 2024. He had an active and extended career as a lawyer. The life, work, events surrounding his death, his influence on the Effingham County court system, and this blog post provides a look at his life.

Early Life and Education

Judge Stephen Yekel was born in Atlanta, Georgia on March 11, 1950 had taken the first steps into his legal career through education. Gordon Military College is where he started and in 1973 Auburn University where he got his B.S. in Criminal Justice. After earning a law degree from Atlanta Law School, Yekel then confirmed his direction. The early work on these helped him to become a much respected person within Georgian legal circles.

From Agent to Assistant District Attorney

Judge Stephen Yekel began his career playing a significant role in Georgia’s legal circle. He had been a state Special Agent and Investigator using his law enforcement experience. Judge Stephen Yekel’s admission to the Georgia Bar in 1976 was a major first toward legal practice. He also proceeded to take the position of Assistant DA in Chatham County to gather invaluable courtroom experience further to the point of validating his knowledge. Such early roles were to help set the stage for his later judicial career.

Private Practice and Pro Tem Judge Roles

Judge Stephen Yekel opened his private legal office in 1980 and practiced both civil and criminal law. In addition, he was busy presiding over Juvenile Court in Chatham County from 2000 to 2005 and Judge Pro Tem of Recorder’s Court in Chatham County from 1993 to 2005. As Judge Pro Tem on St. Patrick’s Day, he once sat on 387 cases in a day.

Chief Conflict Defender

In 2005, Judge Stephen Yekel left private practice to assume a major post as Georgia’s Chief Conflict Defender. He served as legal counsel to the counties in a wide area represented by thirty two counties. At work, he proved he was dedicated to helping citizens in need by running more than 500 cases throughout his 17 year career. It had widened his scope within the judicial system of the state. Talking about his commitment to this post, he liked fair justice as such.

Election to State Court Judge

In 2022 Stephen Yekel was appointed to the bench of the State Court of Effingham County. This success was the height of his fifty year career, and he viewed it that way. In June 2022, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp chose him to be on the state court. Yekel was chosen to finish the term of then Judge Ronnie Thompson after being appointed as the fourth Superior Court judge of the Ogeechee Circuit by Governor Brian Kemp.

Key Initiatives as State Court Judge

While Judge Stephen Yekel was State Court Judge, he stressed that he would treat everyone with dignity and respect in his court. Actively, he tried to get more than $200,000 in State Court fines. As for the need of support for victims, he proposed a new household violence policy. Victims were informed and consulted all the way through the judicial process in accordance with this policy. The projects that he worked on tried to find efficiency and fairness with compassion.

The 2024 Re-Election Loss and Request to Resign

Having won the first round of voting in May, Judge Stephen Yekel lost his re-election bid in June 2024. Citing poor election voter turnout, he wrote Governor Kemp asking to resign on December 2. Denying this plea, Governor Kemp said that the outcome of a fair election shouldn’t be erased. Yekel’s resignation was not approved, he underlined, and would not be honored “out of respect for the will of the people of Effingham County”.

Circumstances Surrounding His Death

Judge Stephen Yekel died in his courtroom on December 31, 2024, therefore ending his career tragically. The discovery was made by Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies about at 10:30 a.m. First accounts claimed a self-inflicted gunshot wound as the cause of death. The events surrounding his passing cloud the legal community of Effingham County. The courtroom turned into a gloomy atmosphere on what would be his last day on the bench.

GBI Involvement

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) started looking into Judge Stephen Yekel’s death. The GBI will autopsy as part of their inquiry to verify the cause of death. The Effingham County courtroom was recessed momentarily to let the inquiry go on. Although this closure briefly delayed court activities, it is scheduled to return for regular operations on January 2, 2025. The GBI’s involvement emphasizes how dire things are.

Judge Stephen Yekel’s life and career leave Effingham County with a mixed legacy. His respect of the legal system and the sad events of his death create a dark chapter in the history of the society. Years to come will surely recall and debate his contributions as well as the circumstances around his last day.