Superior Court Judge Kristina Cook Connelly Graham, of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, was reprimanded in an abbreviated ceremony that took place in the Summerville courthouse today. Augusta Circuit Judge Daniel Craig administered the public reprimand of the judge.

Judge Craig specifically noted two instances where he said Graham violated judicial canon. He spoke of an incident on March 16, 2009, where Graham quote "repeatedly attacked the credibility and character of certain Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents and demeaned those agents who were appearing before you in their official capacities without justification and in a manner unbecoming of your office."

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Reading from a prepared statement Craig described the attacks, which occurred on and off the bench, as improper.

Also, he spoke of an incident on Sept. 5, 2008, where Graham spoke with Special Prosecutors Joseph Burford and Gary Bergman who were investigating the case against former State court judge Carlton Vines. He said that the actions violated judicial ethical code and were designed to intimidate the prosecutors rather than to further any legitimate role of her office and that she had already recused herself from those proceedings.

Judge Graham remained impassive throughout the proceedings and at their conclusion thanked Judge Craig as well as attorneys and friends who showed up in support of her.

She will retain her role as a judge, and Cheryl Fisher Custer, the Judicial Qualification Commission’s executive director, said proceedings were finalized.

Custer had no further comment.

Graham's father, lawyer Bobby Lee Cook, was among several local attorneys who appeared in support of Graham. Cook issued the following statement:

"It is well known that Judge Kristina Cook Connelly Graham, who is the subject of a public reprimand by the J.Q.C., is my daughter and former law partner of 16 years before she assumed her duties as the first female Superior Court Judge in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit.

"This statement is made purely on my own and without any prior approval of anyone. I need no approval.

"First, in the interest of fairness and correctness, I would point out that what occurred that is the subject of the reprimand, took place in the private chambers of Judge Graham and not in the public arena of the courtroom.

"Second, I can objectively state that she has consistently discharged her official duties in literally hundreds of hearings and trials in a fair, impartial and professional manner, always being diligent and careful to protect the Constitutional rights of all parties, witnesses, victims and the accused. Lawyers who have daily appeared before her have been treated with courtesy and professionalism and given their day in court for their clients.

"I am fully confident that Judge Graham and the other three distinguished Judges in the Circuit will continue to fulfill their Constitutional duties."