ROGERS Jillian M. Rogers has announced her candidacy for Wilkes County Probate Judge.

A lifelong resident with strong family ties to Wilkes County, Rogers will qualify for the nonpartisan officein June.

The daughter of Wilkes County Sheriff Gary A. Rogers and Susan Rogers, she is a graduate of Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School and holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Augusta State University. She is currently a probation officerwith CSRA Probation Services, and is responsible for supervising some 100 offenders in Oglethorpe and Taliaferro Counties.

The current Probate Judge, Jim Burton, will be retiring at the end of his term. "The next judge will be faced with transition along with daily operations of the court," she said. "Judge Burton has served our county in a exceptional manner and will leave big shoes to fill."

The officeof probate judge is a four-year elected position which will be decided during the General Election on November 4, 2008. The probate judge handles legal tasks including the probating of wills, administering estates, appointing guardians for incapacitated individuals, issuing marriage licenses and gun permits, and hears some misdemeanor traffic cases. The probate judge also serves as Supervisor of Elections.

Rogers has worked with CSRA Probation Services since earning her degree in 2001. "Over the past seven years my work as a Probation Officerhas broadened my knowledge of the local court system including the duties of the probate court. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe all aspects of running a probate court," she said.

"If elected, I will work closely with other local courts, as well as those in surrounding counties," she said. "I am presently responsible for the supervision of approximately 100 offenders from probate courts in Oglethorpe and Taliaferro Counties, and I feel the my working relationships, and understanding of probate law and court procedures will allow me to better serve the people of Wilkes County."

If elected as probate judge, Rogers said, "I will provide fair and equal treatment to all with honesty and integrity. Serving as the Wilkes County Probate Judge will be a great opportunity for me to give back to the county that I proudly call home."