Newton County Superior Court Judge Samuel D. Ozburn has declined a nomination to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Ozburn was nominated as a candidate for a vacancy at the court of appeals but declined due to the workload in the circuit, according to a letter sent by the judge to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue.

"The Alcovy Judicial Circuit has experienced tremendous growth and the volume and complexity of the cases to be addressed by me and the other Superior Court judges compel me to remain in my current position."