Charles Auslander has served Athens-Clarke County as a judge since 2002.  He served in the Magistrate Court from 2002–2011, and in the State Court since 2011.

Throughout his judicial career, Judge Auslander has been an advocate for rehabilitation and restoration as alternatives to incarceration, fines, and other traditional sentencing methods used in our criminal justice system. He has focused on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of criminal behavior, whether it be substance use disorder, a mental health diagnosis, or past trauma.

He presides over the Athens DUI treatment court, which continues to receive national recognition for its success in reducing recidivism among repeat DUI offenders through its program of intensive supervision, substance use disorder treatment, and connection to rehabilitative services. The Athens DUI treatment court serves as a nationally recognized training site that hosts treatment court professionals from around the country seeking to learn best practices.

Judge Auslander has also been a leader in promoting alternative dispute resolution in civil cases. In 2006, the Supreme Court of Georgia selected him to serve as a member of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution and to be the chair of the Commission from 2012 to 2019.

Judge Auslander has served our community in many ways, from coaching youth soccer and basketball to serving as a board member of the Athens Community Council on Aging and Divergent Recovery Center. He and his family attend St. Joseph Catholic Church and are active in many ministries of the church. He is an avid runner, having completed marathons and ultra-marathons. 

Judge Auslander earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia. A listing of selected professional service, community involvement, and other accomplishments is provided below.

Professional Service:

Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution                   2006 – 2021

             Chair of Commission                                          2012 – 2019

             Chair of Ethics Committee                                  2010 – 2012

Council of Accountability Court Judges                           2015 – present

             Executive Committee                                         2019 – present

                         Chair of Executive Committee               2022 - 2023

             Funding Committee Chairman                           2022 – 2023

                         Chair of Funding Committee                  2019 - 2022

             Training Committee                                            2024-present

Accountability Court Funding Committee                        2012 – 2015

Council of State Court Judges                                         2012 – present

             Chair of DUI Court Committee                            2019 – 2021

Council of Magistrate Court Judges                                 2002 – 2011

             Executive Committee                                          2009 – 2011

            Chair of Legislative Committee                            2009 – 2011

State Bar of Georgia

             Next Generation Courts Commission                 2011 – 2013

             Young Lawyers Division Executive Council        2001 – 2005

Western Circuit Bar Association                                       1998 – present

             Treasurer                                                             2001 – 2002

Community Involvement:

Athens Community Council on Aging

Board of Directors                                               2011 – 2017

St. Joseph Catholic Church

             Active Member                                                     1998 – present

Usher & Greeter Ministry Coordinator                 2006 – 2014                                            

Parish Council President                                     2012 – 2014

Knights of Columbus                                           2007 – present

Small Group Leader for Teen Confirmation         2016 – 2020

Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School

             Member, Board of Trustees                                 2005 – present

             Chair, Board of Trustees                                      2012 – present

Divergent Recovery Center                                              

             Board of Directors                                                2025 - present 

Athens United Soccer Association

Volunteer Soccer Coach                                      2007 – 2012

Athens First United Methodist

Volunteer Basketball Coach                                2008 – 2012

Holly Hills Homeowner Association

Vice President                                                     2004 – 2015      

Court Awards and Recognition:

2008 -  2025 Academy Court selected by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and National Center for DWI Court to serve as 1 of only 4 national model courts and a national training site for treatment court professionals.  The Athens DUI treatment court is the only court in the United States to serve as an Academy Court for 15 years.

Personal Awards, Recognitions, and Accomplishments: 

2022 Chief Justice Harold Clarke Award presented by the Supreme Court of Georgia Commission for Dispute Resolution and State Bar of Georgia Dispute Resolution Section in recognition of Outstanding Contributions to Dispute Resolution in Georgia. 

2021 National DWI Court Leadership Award presented by the National Center of DUI Courts for demonstrating significant Leadership and exemplary performance in the advancement of DUI Courts.

2011 Magistrate of the Year selected by the Council of Magistrate Court Judges

2010 Legislative Leader selected by the Council of Magistrate Court Judges

2003 – 2004 and 2004 – 2005  Award of Achievement for exemplary service, Georgia Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia

2008, 2010, 2013 successfully completed the Rock / Creek Stump Jump 50k ultra-marathon run at Signal Mountain, TN; Also completed 5 marathons