Snipes named new juvenile court judge

At the end of this year, Penny Snipes will not have far to move as she will take up residence on the second floor of the Laurens County Courthouse as the new juvenile judge for the Dublin Judicial Circuit.

Snipes was selected following interviews by Superior Court Chief Judge Jon Helton, Judge Jud Green and Judge Trey Taylor. She will hear cases on anything criminal with juveniles under the age of 17, and the court also deals with truancy for Laurens, Johnson, Treutlen and Twiggs counties. 

“I’m so excited about this,” Snipes said. “It is something that I have wanted for a really, really long time. Juvenile law is my passion and has been since I started practicing law.” 

Helton said the juvenile judge appointment is decided by the three Superior Court judges every four years.  Snipes will replace Samuel Hilbun who is retiring at the end of this year. 

“We interviewed applicants, and after doing so, we unanimously selected Penny Snipes,” Helton said. “We thought she was the best choice for the job. Sam has done a great job for us and we hate to see him go. I’m sure he is ready to enjoy some retirement.” 

Hilbun has been in that position for 12 years. He was happy to be appointed three times by the Superior Court judges. 

“I’ve enjoyed the position, but I can’t say I’ve enjoyed every day or every case,” Hilbun said. “But it is my prayer and my hope that I’ve made a difference in a child’s life along the way. I had thought about another term, but I have just reached that point that I’m ready to go home.”

Hilbun has known Snipes for a long time and said he believes she will do a good job. 

“Penny is very capable, and she will do a good job for the children and the families who comes before her,” Hilbun said. “There’s no question in my mind about that. I’m going to do anything as I can to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

Snipes recalls opposing each other as attorneys. 

“He has done a really good job as juvenile judge,” she said. “He has a heart for those kids and has done an excellent job.”

Snipes recalled putting in her application in April, and was told that she would be the new juvenile judge in August.

“It has worked out great, and God has had his hand in this the whole time,” she said. 

Snipes had to shut her practice down while helping her husband with COVID in 2021. After that, she got out of private practice and received a call from Dublin District Attorney Craig Fraser, where she would remain until being selected in her new role in August.

“I’m glad this opportunity came and that all of the pieces have fell into place,” Snipes said. “I firmly believe that a child is the basic element of our society. If you can make a difference to that child, you will affect their family. If you affect their family you will affect the community and affect the world.”

She has seen children neglected or abused and sadly end up eventually in Superior Court. She hopes to break that cycle.

“I know there is no magic that you can throw at it and fix everything,” Snipes said. “I want to bring more community resources in. We have a wealthy of community resources that we need to tap into. When it comes to truancy, sometimes it is just getting them transportation. If you can help that child be successful in school, they will likely be more successful in life.”