Hon. Joe C. Bishop

Senior Superior Court Judge Joe Bishop was appointed to the Pataula Circuit Superior Court bench on May 16, 1991 and served over 27 years. He was Chief Judge for 23 years. He was appointed as a Senior Judge on January 9, 2019.  He created and presided over the Pataula Felony Drug Court from 2001 until his retirement. He served as President of the Council of Superior Court Judges in 2000. Judge Bishop grew up in Southwest Georgia where he practiced law, raised his family, and still lives. He has been married to Dr. Carol Bishop, DBA, for 45 years. They have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. Judge Bishop received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Speech Communication from Valdosta State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law.