ATLANTA, GA / May 2, 2023 / Fulton County Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk receives high marks from Fulton voters in the latest poll conducted in May 2023. Hicks Evaluation Group, a national polling company led by CEO and statistician Fredrick Hicks, surveyed Fulton voters on several issues, including the popularity of county proposals, elected politicians, and the job approval rating of the elected Chief Magistrate Judge, due to the recent news generated over Judge Kirk’s ability to appoint a court clerk, which most survey respondents agreed should be the norm. Kirk, who received 92.66% favorable responses for the performance of her duties, was the standout in the poll. While there’s not a plethora of past polling for this elected position due to Kirk being unopposed in Fulton’s most previous election cycle, there have always existed strong indicators that the voters of Fulton have significant faith in their Chief Magistrate Judge, given that Kirk won her prior contested election with almost 75% of the vote county-wide, which one expert called, “a clear expression from voters as to whom they trust”.
Kirk’s high approval ratings are likely attributed to her intentionally including public participation in the selection of up to 30 judges each term, the creation and implementation of a nationally recognized and successful Misdemeanor Mental Health Court in collaboration with justice partners, and the massive number of public townhalls, information sessions, youth mentor programs, all while clearing a 30,000 plus small claims case backlog. The Court has also restructured case calendaring to reduce the time parties spend waiting in court, implemented mandatory civil e-filing, has been awarded two national grants, created the R.E.A.C.H. Clinic (a self-help consumer clinic model), which became the catalyst for the popular Magistrate Court 101 series with the Fulton Public Libraries. The court has been recognized with a Case Clearance Excellence Award for a three-year 254% clearance average, which is among the best in the nation.
Understanding the necessity of meeting the community where they are, during the height of COVID, Chief Judge Kirk showed her constituents innovation and care by hosting radio and online community townhalls to ensure the public knew the state of the court, their rights, and new rules regarding evictions in Fulton County. The Court also paired with local agencies and nonprofits, like Star C, United Way, and others to provide rental assistance during one of the darkest moments in American history, all while her team of judges kept court cases flowing, clearing nearly 85% of backlog cases (over 170,000 cases from 2019-2021).
According to Kirk, her mission is to create a Court that Informs, Engages, and Empowers the Community. The community has shown they appreciate public officials who serve efficiently, are responsive, and hold others as well as themselves accountable.
The Hicks Evaluation Group (HEG, LLC) was founded in Tallahassee, Florida in 2006. Over the years since its inception, HEG has advised agencies, organizations, and individuals in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. A data-driven firm, HEG specializes in using data to advise clients. HEG, LLC is a multi-state firm with influence throughout the Southeast
Fredrick Hicks, Survey Designer, is the Principal of HEG. Mr. Hicks holds a B.A. in International Business, an M.S. in International Affairs with a dual focus on Demography and Education, and a graduate-level certificate in Educational Policy Planning and Analysis while working toward his Ph.D. from Florida State University. Mr. Hicks has taught at every level, from K-12 through serving as an Adjunct Professor at Florida A&M University’s College of Education.
Mr. Hicks has extensive quantitative research experience for agencies, organizations, and individual clients. He served as an external evaluator for the Florida Department of Health (YRBS Survey) and as the Statewide Data and Evaluation manager for the Crisis Counseling Program at the Florida Department of Children and Families, which was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additionally, he served as the Process Improvement Coordinator for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded program that was designed to enhance provider service delivery and financial sustainability.
Fredrick is an accomplished and distinguished political consultant. In 2015 he was named to the prestigious “Top 40 Under 40” list and has advised clients across the United States. Achievements include managing the campaigns to expand Atlanta’s infrastructure and transit system. In all, Fredrick’s efforts resulted in more than $3 billion in funding.
Omar Nagi, Methodologist, is the Lead Methodologist for HEG. Dr. Nagi holds a doctorate in Sociology from the State University of New York-Albany and has taught at the State University of New York-Albany. Dr. Nagi is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. He is also the founding director of the Center for Undergraduate Research at the college. His specializations include the professions, methodology, and pedagogical techniques in both K-12 and higher education.
Jeffrey Ling, Data Analyst, serves as the Chief Data Analyst for HEG. Dr. Ling holds a doctoral degree from Florida State University in Political Science and is a Director with Guided Precision Services. Dr. Ling has taught at the College of Wooster, Florida State University, and Iowa State University. His areas of specialization include public management and operations, research methodology, econometrics, and government service provision.
