Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened the Clayton County State Court arraignment calendar on Nov. 17, 2025, telling defendants that arraignment is the first time their case appears before the trial court and reviewing plea options and rights, including the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and the right to counsel. “Everyone is entitled to have an attorney if you wish to have one,” the judge told the virtual and in‑court participants (Judge Tammy Long Hayward).

The morning and early‑afternoon calendars moved steadily. Court staff and defense counsel used Zoom breakout rooms to confer with clients and the state before many pleas, and the court clerk directed defendants to provide email addresses to receive sentencing sheets and payment instructions. The judge repeatedly reminded drivers under 21 about the point rules and potential hard suspensions for license points. (Judge Tammy Long Hayward; Court Clerk Catherine Maganda/Deputy Clerk Izzy).

Selected dispositions and orders taken by the court included:
- Art Lee Duncan Tell (case 2022CR01356): entered a guilty plea to no license. The state recommended a $500 suspended fine; the judge accepted the plea and noted the total fines/fees would have been $737.50 absent suspension (ASG Monique Adams; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).
- Adan (Adan Guiffaro Buendia) (2021CR08907): entered a nolo plea for speeding after the state said officers recorded 97 mph in a 65 mph zone; court accepted a $500 fine recommendation and directed payment at the traffic window (ASG Monique Adams; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).
- Kenneth Lee Johnson (2022CR01119): pled nolo to a super‑speeder speed charge (reported at 127 mph in a 65 zone). The state recommended 12 months probation, a $1,000 fine and a driver improvement course; the judge accepted the nolo plea and placed the defendant on probation with those conditions (ASG Monique Adams; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).
- Jose Ishmael Nieto Moreno: pled nolo to driving too fast for conditions and no insurance. The court imposed $85 plus surcharges for count 1, ordered restitution of $1,000 to the victim to be paid over a 12‑month probation term, and suspended a $200 fine on count 2 to run concurrent (ASG Monique Adams; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).
- Tammy Rae McDuffie (2023CR01380): entered a nolo plea to a canceled license count with credit for 2 days time served; the state moved to no process on the second count and to suspend a $500 fine by agreement (Defense counsel Beverly Parnell/Parnell Vasquez; ASG Monique Adams; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).
- Kayla Sharon Winston (2023CR01373): state dismissed the insurance count and accepted a negotiated $150 fine for the speeding count; judge allowed 30 days to pay and instructed the defendant to provide an email for sentencing instructions (ASG Monique Adams; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).
- Timmy Lee Jeffries Jr. (2023CR01830): entered negotiated pleas across related counts; the court imposed a $1,000 fine on the primary count (approximately $1,420 with surcharges), a $200 fine on another count (with surcharges), and granted 12 months pay‑only probation with the first three months' supervision fees waived (Defense counsel Lister Holt & Dennis; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).
- Jamelle Diggs (2025CR08281): pled guilty to driving on a suspended license; court accepted the state's recommendation of 12 months with credit for approximately 18 days served and suspended the $1,000 fine (ASG Monique Adams; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).
- Rameen Wallace Rollins Jr. (2025CR08233): pled nolo to a yield sign violation and no license; the court placed him on 12 months pay‑only probation with the first three months' supervision fees waived and explained the importance of getting a license as part of reentry (ASG Monique Adams; Judge Tammy Long Hayward).

Court personnel repeatedly instructed defendants to use the traffic court window on the 2nd Floor of the Justice Center (9151 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro) to make payments, or to use the court’s online or phone payment options; clerks committed to emailing sentencing sheets and payment instructions to addresses provided on the chat. The court also directed defendants who would be on probation to report to Courtroom 305 to meet the probation coordinator (Miss James) for enrollment and reporting instructions. (Court Clerk Catherine Maganda/Deputy Clerk Izzy; Probation staff Miss James).

Judge Long Hayward reminded participants that nolo pleas can affect immigration status and that CDL holders should research the effect of convictions on commercial driving privileges before pleading. She closed the calendars after completing the 10:00, 11:00 and 1:00 dockets and thanked counsel and staff for their work. The clerk will send sentencing sheets and orders by email; defendants were advised to check spam folders if they do not see those messages within a day or two. (Judge Tammy Long Hayward; Court Clerk).