Hon. Sheryl B. Jolly

Columbia County Justice Center

Judge Sheryl B. Jolly  serves as the Presiding Judge of Superior Court, Columbia Judicial Circuit. Judge Jolly was elected Superior Court Judge for the Augusta Judicial Circuit in 2004 and served in that capacity until the Columbia Judicial Circuit was created in 2021. 

Other current appointments include:  Administrative Judge for 10th Judicial District, Executive Committee of Council of Superior Court Judges, and a member of the Judicial Council of Georgia.

Judge Jolly's public service began in 1986 in the Office of the District Attorney, Augusta Judicial Circuit where she served as  Assistant District Attorney until 1989. She continued her public service as a prosecutor in the State Court of Richmond County, Georgia as Assistant Solicitor General (1989-1993) and subsequently as Chief Assistant Solicitor General (1993-1994). In 1996, Judge Jolly was elected to the Office of Solicitor General of the State Court of Richmond County, Georgia. She served two terms as Solicitor General before seeking election as Superior Court Judge.  In addition to her public service as a prosecutor, she served as an Adjunct Faculty Member for Brenau Professional College for over 20 years and taught courses in Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, and Public Administration for both undergraduate and graduate level courses.  She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Augusta Bar Association.  Judge Jolly has been actively involved in community activities and service boards, including leadership positions in Leadership Augusta, the Greater Augusta Arts Council, Augusta Junior Woman's Club, Columbia Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Task Force,  Augusta Child Advocacy Center, Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Services, The Augusta Partnership for Children and many other local boards.  

Judge Jolly has been a frequent lecturer at judicial conferences for Pre-Trial Issues in Death Penalty cases and presentations in the area of family law.