Judge Pythias "Pete" Temesgen

02/11/2026

What a treat to participate in “I Love My Future” Week with some students from St. Elmo yesterday. We talked about how judges and lawyers interpret laws. Definitely met some future lawyers/judges!

02/01/2026

Even in 🥶 freezing weather, Mock Trial must go on! 👨🏾‍⚖️

Enjoyed presiding over a round of the regional competition in Columbus, Georgia yesterday. Great job to the hardworking and professional high schoolers!

10/24/2025

Go Tigers!🐅

‘The truth I’ve come to understand is that you can grow where you’re planted,’ Temesgen says

10/17/2025

If you ran in our semi-annual Robe Run 5K this year … you got a t-shirt! Although I technically won the 5K 🤣🫣, we all win when we enjoy fellowship and exercise during the State Court Judge’s Conference! Special shoutout to Judge Kimberly Anderson for being our fearless leader!

10/08/2025

This morning I was proud to have sworn in Trent Swinehart, formerly my extern but very much still my friend, to the Georgia bar and to our learned profession. Thanks to the help of my friend Judge Tippi Burch!

09/02/2025

This morning I got a chance to give welcoming remarks to newly naturalized American citizens in Columbus, Georgia. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

There are 17 new United States citizens in the Columbus area Tuesday morning.

The men and women coming from 13 different countries took the citizenship oath at the federal courthouse in downtown Columbus.

The annual naturalization ceremony, witnessed by family and friends, was presided over by Magistrate Judge Amelia Helmick.

07/18/2025

Very happy to report that the State Court of Muscogee County’s case clearance rate last year was over 105% - one of the highest in the state of Georgia!

Our court is one of fourteen State Courts that exceeded a clearance rate of 100% and we are honored to be recognized with a Clearance Rate Excellence Award from the Judicial Council Judicial Workload Assessment Committee.

07/17/2025

A great day for Columbus, the State of Georgia, and the Rule of Law! Justice Land will serve with distinction and the highest standards of professionalism. The Governor made an excellent choice!

https://www.wrbl.com/news/columbus-resident-judge-ben-land-appointed-by-governor-to-georgia-supreme-court/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WRBL_News_3&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLl8WNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoug2tYn0Z9ByNHqllLggeGFuHoEhJG_iVjv5SQH0UTa9s8R69rO3sYZOzHY_aem_0GGBrbb3iaZg7R24wZJGigrk be rdecr

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Gov. Brian Kemp has selected a Columbus resident and current Georgia Court of Appeals judge to be the state’s next Supreme Court justice. Judge Ben Land was…

04/12/2025

I spent a wonderful day with the eager young minds of tomorrow! Our court welcomed students from Columbus State University’s Criminal Justice Department to the busy Friday morning docket.

Then I spent the afternoon at Emanuel Preparatory School of Math and Science, talking to some brilliant boys about what lawyers and judges do.

I also lost to Corry Black in a shootout (although next time we will have our game indoors 😂)

04/08/2025

It’s an honor to be nominated for any judicial position, especially one on Georgia’s Supreme Court, but my focus is on serving the people of Muscogee County!

02/18/2025

Judge John Allen embodied the highest ideals of being an American, a lawyer, and a jurist. He was my greatest inspiration and my most important mentor in the law.

From my graduation from law school to his retirement from the bench, I was his law clerk. I saw up close his towering intellect, his inscrutable restraint, and his deep compassion. He was a great man that lived with an urgency that belied his patient and calm manner. He could be stern and unrelenting in the pursuit of justice. He could be so incredibly kind in the face of acute human suffering.

Judge Allen was legendary but also so accessible. He left his community, his profession, and this world so much better than he found it. A good and faithful servant, he has transitioned from labor to reward. God bless the memory and legacy of Judge Allen.

12/18/2024

Today, December 18, 2024, was my second time taking the oath of office to hold the office of Judge of the State Court of Muscogee County.

I appreciate Judge Marc D'Antonio for swearing me in, and my family and friends who were able to attend.

I remain deeply grateful to the community I get to serve, and for the constant support I have received along the way.