Clayton County motions calendar: judges accept guilty pleas, impose sentences for multiple reckless-driving and DUI cases

At the Clayton County State Court motions calendar on June 15, Judge Tammy Long Hayward accepted multiple negotiated pleas and imposed sentences ranging from probation with treatment conditions to short jail terms and community service.

Alexis Mercedes Barnes (case 2025 CR07928) pled guilty to an amended reckless-driving count; the court accepted the plea, advised her about waiver of trial and potential immigration consequences, and assessed fines and payment options. The state recommended $300 on the amended reckless-driving count and $100 on the striking-a-fixed-object count; the judge explained the assessed totals with court fees would be roughly $444 (for the primary charge with search charges) and $153 for the secondary charge, and offered payment windows or a reporting-based probation option.

The court accepted guilty pleas in a series of other matters. Harold Great Jr. (2026 CR03486) pleaded guilty to reckless driving and driving on a suspended license; the judge imposed 12 months with 15 days to serve (credit for time served) and suspended the balance subject to no new violations. Bartholomew Bay Alawason (2023 CR 024262) pleaded to DUI; the factual basis included a collision and a blood alcohol concentration of 0.168 obtained by warrant. The court accepted the state's recommendation of 12 months with one day to serve (balance probated) and ordered probation conditions including a risk-reduction program, substance-evaluation and treatment, random screens, 40 hours of community service and a $300 fine. Martell Gregory Cole (2023 CR 02873) pleaded guilty to an amended reckless-driving count and received 12 months with one day to serve, a $300 fine and 60 hours of community service; other counts were nolle prossed. Tanya Johnson (2025 CR 06648) pled guilty to reckless driving; the court accepted a recommendation of 12 months with one day to serve (balance probated), 40 hours community service, a $300 fine, random screening and a substance-abuse evaluation, with the possibility of nonreporting after sustained clean screens.

Prosecutors presented factual bases in each case, summarizing officer observations such as odors of alcohol or cannabis, admissions of use, refusals of field tests or implied-consent tests, and in one case a BAC of 0.168. Judge Hayward repeatedly emphasized the court’s role in ensuring defendants understand the consequences of pleas and encouraged defendants to use the sentencing period to make life changes. "You're too young to lose control of your life," she told one defendant, urging better choices.

Several matters on the calendar were continued for discovery (video evidence) or reset to the before-trial calendar so witnesses could appear in person, and other cases were nolle prossed when the state reported a defendant would not return to the U.S.