A Glynn County judge facing charges from the state’s Judicial Qualification Commission will no longer hear criminal cases or preside over the state’s largest drug court.

Chief Superior Court Judge Amanda Williams faces 12 counts of misconduct. She has stopped hearing cases until the complaints against her are settled. She and the other judges in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit agreed it would be inappropriate for her to continue adjudicating cases while the charges are pending.

Among the charges against Williams are jailing drug court defendants indefinitely, showing favoritism, and allowing personal relationships to influence her decisions.

One of Williams’ attorneys declined to comment about the case. Williams could not be reached. She has 30 days to respond to the complaint.

The case sets up only the third formal hearing before the Judicial Qualifications Commission in two years. Most judges facing charges agree to retire or resign before a trial begins.

Click here to read the charges against Williams.

Tags: Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission, Judicial Qualifications Commission, drug courts, Amanda Williams, This American Life