Outgoing Toombs County Magistrate Judge Rizza O'Connor with family and Toombs County Commissioners

Toombs County is one a very few counties in Georgia that appoints a Chief Magistrate judge rather than elect one, and now after 8 years, the county is again finding themselves filling that position.

Recently Chief Magistrate Judge Rizzo O’Connor announced she was vacating the office to return to her roots by practicing law beside her husband Daniel at Bryant & O’Connor Law Firm in Vidalia.

“It’s been such an honor for me to serve,” Judge O’Connor said. “I’m integrated into this community and serving as the Magistrate Judge has made a tremendous impact on me.”

O’Connor was appointed initially by then Chief Superior Court Judge Kathy S. Palmer and was appointed to a second term by now Chief Judge Robert Reeves.

“I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to serve,” O’Connor said. “It’s been an honor. I’d also like to thank those with whom I’ve worked with in their courthouse. I’ve seen the men and women of law enforcement daily and seen how hard they work, and while I’m looking forward to my new venture, I’m going to miss them and the others that I’ve worked with for the past eight years. It is indeed bitter-sweet.”

Rizza O’Connor is a native of Savannah and she and Daniel are the parents of two children.

In appreciation for her service, the Toombs County Commissioners presented the outgoing Magistrate Judge with a plaque for her service to the people of Toombs County.