Judge Jailed Woman Supporting Her Mom During Divorce Trial in Georgia, Lawsuit Says

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – A 21-year-old woman is suing a Fulton County Superior Court judge, alleging the judge illegally jailed her without cause during her parents’ divorce trial — a move now condemned by a state judicial commission as an “unlawful detention.”

According to a federal lawsuit filed on October 22 in the Northern District of Georgia, Judge Shermela J. Williams ordered Molly Dennis, of Alabama, to be taken into custody “without any charge, warrant, or legal authority” during the final day of her parents’ highly contentious divorce trial in October 2023.

Judge Allegedly Ordered Arrest Without Cause

Court records say Judge Williams was reading her final ruling when she abruptly stopped, accused Dennis of committing felonies related to an event discussed earlier in the trial, and told deputies to arrest her.

“Put Molly in custody for me,” Williams allegedly said. “Show her what that cell looks like.”

Dennis — who had been subpoenaed to testify in defense of her mother — was handcuffed in front of the courtroom and placed in a holding cell for up to 45 minutes, according to the complaint. When she was brought back into the courtroom, Williams reportedly asked how she felt about being jailed.

When Dennis replied, “Horrible,” the judge lectured her about her ‘behavior’ and ‘daddy issues,’ the filing claims.

Judicial Panel Finds ‘Illegal Jailing’

The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) reviewed the incident and, in an October 2 report, determined that Judge Williams’ actions were an “illegal jailing” and a clear abuse of judicial power. The JQC has since recommended that Williams be removed from the bench, citing 31 counts of misconduct tied to this and other cases.

“She wanted to teach Molly a lesson she was not asked, nor authorized, to teach,” the commission wrote. “And the only lesson it taught Molly is not to trust the court system.”

Williams has since acknowledged her actions were wrong, saying she intended to “scare” Dennis to teach her a moral lesson — an explanation the JQC rejected as unacceptable judicial behavior.

Lawsuit Targets Judge and Fulton County Officials

Dennis’ lawsuit names Judge Williams, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, and 10 unidentified deputies as defendants, seeking damages for false imprisonment, unlawful seizure, and violation of due process rights.

Her attorney, Christopher Pixley, said the case goes beyond one courtroom incident and speaks to the importance of holding public officials accountable.

“Every citizen deserves fair and equal treatment under the law,” Pixley said. “If a sitting judge decides they are above the law, every other right becomes vulnerable.”

“I Felt Humiliated,” Plaintiff Tells Commission

Dennis told investigators that she felt humiliated and terrified during the ordeal. “My heart was racing. I thought I had said something wrong or made the judge angry,” she testified before the commission.

The report also noted that during the divorce trial, Williams frequently interrupted attorneys, referred to Dennis as “Team Mom,” and accused her of having “daddy issues,” behavior the panel said created an atmosphere of bias and intimidation.

Judicial Removal Effort Underway

Attorneys representing Judge Williams said they plan to appeal the JQC’s recommendation to remove her from office, arguing she did not act maliciously. However, state officials said her conduct violated core ethical standards.

Legal experts say the case could have lasting implications for judicial accountability in Georgia, particularly if Dennis prevails in federal court.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount in damages and a jury trial, asserting that the public’s trust in the legal system depends on consequences for abuse of authority.