Edwin T. Bell, Court Administrator

Office Address

DeKalb County Courthouse
556 North McDonough Street
Suite 3210
Decatur, GA 30030

Phone

404-371-2715

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Edwin T. Bell, Court Administrator

Court Administrator

Edwin T. Bell is an accomplished public sector executive with a distinguished career spanning nearly 30 years.  He serves as the Court Administrator and Chief Administrative Officer of the court where he oversees many of the courts administrative and non-judicial operations.  Prior to this role he served as the Executive Director of Association Management and Court Partnerships for the National Center for State Courts. Edwin holds both Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees, as well as numerous court management and leadership certifications.

 

Additionally, he has earned the Public Leadership Credential from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and is a Fellow of the Institute for Court Management. Edwin’s journey is defined by his visionary leadership. He possesses a rare ability to drive change, build impactful partnerships, and spearhead transformative initiatives. His unwavering commitment to justice continues to leave an indelible mark on the organizations in which he works and within the community in which he lives. 

In his role with the DeKalb County State Court, Edwin provides executive oversight and strategic direction for the Court Administration division, ensuring that all operational, technological, and programmatic functions run with efficiency, transparency, and accountability. His leadership spans a wide range of mission‑critical areas that support the court’s daily operations and long‑term modernization goals.

Administrative Support
Edwin oversees the administrative teams responsible for coordinating daily court operations, managing communications, supporting judicial chambers, and ensuring timely and accurate processing of court documents and public inquiries.

Information Technology Division
He directs the IT Division, which manages the court’s digital infrastructure, case management systems, cybersecurity protocols, hardware and software support, and technology modernization initiatives that improve access, reliability, and user experience for staff and the public.

Program Management
Edwin leads a comprehensive portfolio of programmatic functions that sustain the court’s operational and fiscal health, including:

  • Grants Management: Identifying, securing, and administering grant funding to support innovation, staffing, and community‑focused initiatives.
  • Budget and Fiscal Affairs: Overseeing financial planning, budget development, expenditure tracking, and fiscal compliance to ensure responsible stewardship of public resources.
  • Legislative and Governmental Affairs: Monitoring legislative changes, coordinating with county and state partners, and ensuring the court remains aligned with evolving statutory and regulatory requirements.
  • Purchasing and Procurement: Managing vendor relationships, contract compliance, and acquisition of goods and services essential to court operations.
  • Human Resources: Providing leadership for recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and employee relations across the administrative workforce.
  • Payroll Administration: Ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, benefits coordination, and adherence to county and state compensation policies.
  • Facilities Management: Overseeing maintenance, space planning, security coordination, and operational readiness of all court facilities.
  • Projects and Infrastructure: Leading capital improvements, technology upgrades, workflow enhancements, and long‑range planning to strengthen the court’s operational foundation.
  • Foreign Language and Sign Language Interpreter Services: Ensuring equitable access to justice by managing interpreter services that support individuals with limited English proficiency or hearing impairments.

 

Jo Dancer

Innovation Technology Director

Phenix Gaston

Program Director D.U.I. Court