Martha Hall has announced her candidacy for Ogeechee Circuit Superior Court judgeship.

Judge John R. Turner, whose term is up this year, has announced he is retiring. The Ogeechee Circuit covers Effingham, Bulloch, Jenkins and Screven counties.

Hall is a partner at the Hall Law Group, which has offices in Statesboro and Springfield. She has 21 years of experience as a prosecutor and a private practice attorney. She served as Ogeechee Circuit assistant district attorney for six years, was elected state court solicitor in Screven County and served as municipal court judge in Oliver and Newington.

Hall has been in private practice since 2000, focusing on criminal defense and in divorce, child custody and child support. She is a supporter of Safe Haven and a volunteer with the Effingham Victim Witness Assistance Program.

“The desire to serve the everyday working citizens of our area is something that has been instilled in me my entire life,” she said. “My father and mother were married 46 years before he passed in October 2014. He retired as a senior chief petty officer in the Navy after 21 years of service. My father was and will always be my hero. My mother and father raised their six children to participate actively in church, to be hard working, to be family-oriented and to make their own way in this world. My parents stressed the importance of helping whenever able.

“I respect the rights afforded everyone under the Constitution and have a strong conviction to insure the law is followed impartially,” Hall continued, “but with an understanding of the effects of both the crime and punishment. I believe in fairness, and I have always felt a strong calling to protect our families, children and victims of crime. I have an extensive background in all types of cases in which the Superior Court is involved. I can bring a down-to-earth and practical perspective to each case.”

Hall noted that there has not been a woman on the Ogeechee Circuit bench since Judge Faye Martin retired in 2000.

“Consequently, I feel I would also bring diversity and equality to the bench at a time when it is important to have everyone represented,” she said. “The Ogeechee Circuit is the best place to live, work, and raise a family, but we need hardworking, efficient and impartial courts to maintain this way of life. I would sincerely hope that if elected I would be as competent and fair as my predecessor, Judge Turner. My primary campaign platform is one of insuring the protection of children in domestic turmoil and helping young teens to reject the criminal elements in our society. My experience and desire stem not only from my devotion to my own family, but also my years as a family law attorney and volunteer with women and children who are victims of abuse.”

Hall received her bachelor of science in criminal justice from Georgia Southern University in 1991. It was at Georgia Southern she decided to remain in this area.

“My experience at Georgia Southern is part of what made me fall in love with Statesboro and neighboring areas,” she said. “To me, Georgia Southern University was the ultimate college experience.”

She obtained her law degree from the University of Memphis in 1994, while married with two children. She is also a certified general domestic and juvenile mediator and a certified parent coordinator. She is now married to Mike Hall who practices with her at the Hall Law Group, P.C. The couple makes their home in Screven County. Hall is a mother and stepmother to a family of eight children, one son-in-law and two grandchildren.

For more information about Hall, her experience and her campaign, voters can visit her Web site www.marthaforjudge.com, or her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/marthaforjudge.