Clayton County State Court handles arraignments and jail calendar; multiple pleas, bench-warrant actions

Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened court on June 30, 2026, in Clayton County State Court, Courtroom 304, and called both the arraignment and jail calendars.

The judge and counsel addressed multiple bench warrants and contact problems early in the arraignment calendar. Bench‑warrant bond forfeiture was entered for several matters where the court could not make contact with defendants; others were reported as closed or continued. The judge noted that Augustine Garcia and Sherman Devon Boyin had bench‑warrant bond forfeitures recorded and that Jamal Hudson appeared online but raised a separate counsel‑eligibility issue that the court directed parties to resolve.

Several defendants either waived formal arraignment or entered pleas. Taylor Renita Parker filed an entry of appearance and discovery request and waived formal arraignment on two matters. Tina Sheree Newell requested appointed counsel and the court directed defense to confer with her and to arrange representation.

On the jail calendar and subsequent pleas, the court accepted multiple negotiated dispositions, most of which included short jail credit and suspended balances contingent on no further violations or stay‑away conditions. Notable accepted pleas and dispositions included:
- Annayia Vantrina Dawson pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct arising from an April 24 disturbance; the court ordered 12 months with 30 days to serve (credit for time served), with the balance suspended and a no‑contact condition with the victim, Carla Butler.
- Tama Latasha Cook pleaded no contest to criminal trespass with property damage at 4233 Jonesboro Road (the Preserve on Conley); she received 12 months with 10 days to serve (credit for time served), balance suspended provided she avoids the incident location.
- Lauron McNeel pleaded no contest to giving a false name; the court imposed 12 months with 30 days to serve, balance suspended on standard conditions.
- Kelsey Janelle Holmes pleaded no contest to criminal trespass at a Chick‑fil‑A on Tar Boulevard; the court imposed 12 months with 30 days to serve, credit for time served, balance suspended if she avoids the property.
- Demetrius Morland pleaded no contest to criminal trespass with damage; the court accepted a recommendation of 12 months with 15 days to serve (credit for time served), with probation and an anger‑management requirement; the judge allowed one supervised return for property retrieval.
- Joshua Caleb Holloway pleaded guilty to simple battery following presentation of victim video; the court imposed 12 months with 10 days to serve (credit for time served) with a one‑year no‑contact order for the victim, Arianne Weaver.
- W. Stevens entered a negotiated no‑contest plea to improper lane change (counts one and two nolle prossed) and was fined $100.

Administrative items: the court recorded that some matters were closed or had waivers (e.g., Nikitia Ramsay), that Malaka Grant’s case was to be nolle prossed and a bench‑warrant withdrawal submitted, and that several defendants would return to future calendars or hire counsel to proceed. Judge Hayward reminded parties that the next jail calendar is scheduled for July 7 and said she would sign bench‑warrant recalls and related orders.

Why it matters: The calendar cleared multiple short matters, resolving or continuing cases that affect defendants’ liberty (short jail stays or supervised probation), clarified representation on contested matters, and established no‑contact and location‑avoidance conditions that will shape compliance and potential future enforcement.

The court’s docket included both misdemeanor and related probation revocation matters; many resolutions hinged on negotiated pleas and probation conditions rather than contested trials. The judge repeatedly urged timely communication between defense and the solicitor’s office to avoid bench warrants and scheduling issues.

Next steps: Several matters were continued or left for further conference; Mr. Hudson’s counsel eligibility will be resolved by application for indigent defense or updated disclosures. The court recessed until the next scheduled jail calendar on July 7, 2026.