Defendant pleads guilty to shoplifting; judge imposes 12-month sentence with probation conditions

Horus James Morris pleaded guilty to theft by shoplifting on June 11, 2026 before Judge Tammy Long Hayward in Clayton County State Court. The State recited its factual basis and recommended a 12-month sentence with 24 hours to serve, credit for time served, the balance suspended on probation, and completion of a theft-prevention course. Defense counsel cited Morris’s health issues and fixed income; the prosecutor and defense agreed the recommended conditions were appropriate.

Judge Hayward accepted Morris’s plea, imposed a 12-month sentence with 24 hours to serve (credit for time already served), and probated the remaining time conditioned on completion of an anti-theft course. The court ordered Morris to stay away from Publix stores located in Clayton County for the duration of the probationary period. The judge also waived probation supervision fees to avoid creating an undue financial barrier to completing the program.

After sentencing, the judge directed Morris to meet the probation officer (identified in court as Miss James) immediately in courtroom 305 to arrange supervision, coursework, and any reporting instructions. Court transcripts show defense counsel asked the court to waive supervision fees because Morris is on a fixed income and has recent health issues; the judge granted the waiver in open court.

Morris was warned that violating probation or bond conditions could lead to revocation and re-arrest. The court record will contain the probation officer’s instructions and the name of the approved theft-prevention program; defendants typically receive those details from the probation office.