Dougherty County judges want the county commission to exclude them from furloughs because they say it’s against the law.

Superior Court Chief Judge Willie Lockette presented the Finance Committee with a letter explaining that requiring pay cuts for judges is unconstitutional. The judges can take a voluntary pay cut, but the county can’t force them to take furloughs.

“I don’t propose to speak for any of the judges, that’s going to be a matter of personal choice. Each judge will have to make their own decision about that,” Lockette said.

The county is proposing all employees take 12 unpaid holidays next year.