Knights in the Courtroom Judge Stephen N. Knights Jr. and his Commitment to Justice Written by Marvella Nesbitt
Judge Stephen N. Knights Jr. is one of Henry County's elected state judges who believes that his role as a civil servant is a noble calling. The passion for the legal profession in this Guyanese-born magistrate began at the young age of five, which isn't surprising considering his father was a judge. This affinity can be attributed to his time shadowing his father and watching legal TV shows like "Perry Mason," "Matlock," "T.J. Hooker," and the infamous O.J. Simpson Trial, all of which fueled his fascination with practicing law. Knights attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, and his extensive career as an attorney underscores his belief in the importance of legal representation. "A lawyer is always a valuable asset in any area and is the best person to guide someone through the legal process," he states. After settling in Georgia, Knights assumed various legal roles, including Assistant Solicitor General for Clayton County in 2006, District Attorney for Griffin County's Judicial Circuit Court as a drug prosecutor in 2007, and Clayton's Senior Litigation Assistant District Attorney in 2009. He also worked at his wife's private practice, Knights Law Group, as a Senior Litigation Attorney. This period overlapped with his time serving as a Clayton County Associate Magistrate Judge, making his transition to a state judge role in Henry County seamless. 46 | GAME CHANGERS MAGAZINE
Judge Knights, a respected figure in the legal community, has witnessed numerous judges preside over court proceedings throughout his career. For him, being fair, impartial, respectful, punctual, and lawful are pivotal qualities of a good judge. When individuals step into his courtroom, they can anticipate encountering a compassionate judge who adheres to the Golden Rule: "People are people. They are not just a number, a case on the docket, or merely individuals being accused." Nevertheless, the role does bring unexpected challenges. Amid the COVID pandemic, in-person appearances were suspended, and video communications became the norm. This compelled Judge Knights to adapt to technology. "It was a unique time and gave me a good handle to multitask and a unique skill set."
