Judge Hatchett fights order to pay legal fees to Sheriffs’ Association

Judge Glenda Hatchett fighting attorney fees

TV personality Judge Glenda Hatchett appeared in court Friday to fight an order requiring her to pay attorney fees to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association (GSA), following her decision to drop a civil lawsuit against the organization.

ATLANTA - TV personality Judge Glenda Hatchett appeared in court Friday to fight an order requiring her to pay attorney fees to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association (GSA), following her decision to drop a civil lawsuit against the organization.

PREVIOUS STORY: Judge Hatchett ordered to pay fees over dropped lawsuit

The backstory:

The legal battle stems from a 2022 incident where former Bleckley County Sheriff Kris Coody reportedly groped Hatchett during a GSA reception. Coody later pleaded guilty to sexual battery and resigned.

PREVIOUS STORY: Georgia sheriff wanted for sexual battery turns himself in, jail records show

Hatchett originally sued the association for negligence, but she eventually withdrew the complaint to "put the whole incident behind her." In response, the GSA filed a motion to recoup legal costs, with a judge previously ruling that her claims against the organization "lacked merit."

Standing before the court, Hatchett argued that forcing a victim to pay the legal fees of an organization that hosted her assailant sends a "chilling" message. She shared that women from around the world have reached out to her, saying her courage helped them find their own voices. Her legal team maintains that the fee request is an attempt to silence victims and lacks any moral or legal standing.

What's next:

A decision on the case has not been made at this time.