|
 |
Hall County Courthouse - 2nd Floor
Court Administration oversees non-judicial matters of the county's trial courts, under the guidance of superior and state court judges. The department supervises non-judicial activities of court-supportive departments and services including: Pre-Trial Release, Substance Abuse Services, Court Services, Interpretive Services, Guardian Ad Litem, Law Library, Indigent Defense and Courts Information Technology.
Substance Abuse Services is funded by revenues generated from the Drug, Alcohol, Treatment, and Education (D.A.T.E.) fund. Revenue is generated from fees collected for some drug and alcohol abuse cases filed and by defendants ordered by the courts to undergo drug/alcohol evaluations and drug testing. This program provides alcohol and drug evaluations, drug screens and multiple offenders DUI evaluations. After initial evaluation, if a person is determined to have a substance abuse problem, the individual will select an approved treatment provider. The Substance Abuse Service office schedules the initial appointment for them and the probation officer is notified of the appointment time and location. Substance Abuse Services takes an active role in monitoring treatment for the duration of the process.
The goal of Drug Court is to stop drug abuse and related criminal activity. It offers a compelling alternative to individuals whose criminal behavior stems from drug use - court supervised treatment. In exchange for successfully completing an intensive treatment program, the court may dismiss the original charge, reduce or set aside sentence, offer a lesser penalty or a combination of these options. Drug Courts have transformed the roles of both criminal justice practitioners and treatment providers. The judge is the central figure in a team effort that focuses on offender sobriety and accountability. The Drug Court team keeps the judge informed about the participant's progress so that sanctions and incentives can be provided. Compliance with the program is within the participant's control and is based on measurable performance goals as pre-established by the Drug Court team.
The Pre-Trial Release program has been in operation since November 1998. Since its inception, the number of clients that have been released into the Pre-Trial Release Program has grown exponentially. In November 2000, the Hall County Board of Commissioners approved additional staff position to meet the ever-increasing demands to release defendants from incarceration while awaiting adjudication of their cases. The practical aspects of the Pre-Trial program cannot be overstated. Essentially, while awaiting their case to be heard in court, eligible, carefully screened defendants can be released into the Pre-Trial program. The ultimate success of the Pre-Trial Program depends on adequate staff trained in dealing with probation matters to ensure clients are effectively monitored while awaiting trial or case disposition.
Assessment to Determine Eligibility
Pre-Trial officers conduct assessment interviews of potential clients to determine if they are suitable to be released from incarceration. This assessment is normally conducted at the County Detention Center. If all requirements are met and appropriate authorities agree to release the client from incarceration, a bond order is prepared which cites the conditions of release. The judge to whom the case is assigned then sings bond order. The client reads and signs an agreement to the conditions of the bond, then is released from incarceration.
Levels of Supervision
The client is placed into high, medium, or low levels of supervision. The levels of supervision are based on pre-determined criteria as agreed to by the stakeholders. If a client is placed in the high supervision level, the client is visited at home and/or the place of employment on a weekly basis. Also, the client is required to call-in at least once a week. When a client is placed in medium supervision, the client is required to call-in at least once a week and come into the Pre-Trial office for progress evaluation at least once a month. Finally, when a client is placed in the low level of supervision, the client is required to call-in at least once a week and will come in to the office as required. Pre-Trial staff maintains files on all clients and all contacts are documented and maintained in an active file until the case is closed.
Electronic Monitoring (EM)
As a condition of the bond, some clients will be ordered to participate in the electronic monitoring program. EM is a method of monitoring the whereabouts of clients electronically using ankle bracelets. The bracelet will send an electronic signal if a client enters into a restricted area or violate curfew. For example, if a client is restricted from leaving their home from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and he/she leaves their home within that time, the ankle bracelet will signal the EM contractor. Also included in EM is an electronic Breathalyzer that is installed in the client's home. The client is required to submit to a test at pre-determined intervals. The client who is monitored electronically could be required to report to the Pre-Trial office to submit to random drug screens and alcohol/drug assessments as part of their conditions. Office contacts are also scheduled for clients to discuss any non-compliant issues as well as other relevant issues as required.
 770-297-2314
|
117-1/2 Bradford St., SE
Gainesville, GA
30501
|
The Law Library serves the courts, bar association and the Hall County litigants for all research needs. The library has 5,500 volumes and includes State and Federal Law. The library also houses CD-ROMS with popular legal research sites and subscribes to the most popular legal research publications. The library is a revenue generating activity. There is a $5.00 fee for all cases filed in Superior and State Court that goes into the library fund as well as a charge of $0.25 for copies made by customers.
The purpose of Indigent Defense is to serve and supply indigent defendants in pending criminal cases with legal counsel. This is accomplished by the completion of a financial legal affidavit by which indigence is determined. The indigent defense team provides the courts with the results of the interview with the appropriate orders for their signature and the filing of the same. The Indigent defense team serves four Superior Courts, State Court, Magistrate Court. They also collect reimbursement of attorney fees from these defendants if they are not incarcerated.
The Courts Interpretive Services Program has been in existence since January 2000. This program's main objective is to provide effective interpretive services by developing training programs to aid in certification of interpreters. The Courts Interpretive Program provides interpretive services for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, State Court, Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, District Attorney's Office, Solicitor's Office, Sheriff's Office, Indigent Defense Clients and the Domestic Relations Office. The interpretive services needed most frequently are Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Sign Language, Portuguese, German, and Italian.
One of the primary goals for the Interpreters Program is to locate and identify competent and professional interpreters and translators to help fulfill mission requirements; provide training and continuing education for interpreters; provide two qualified interpreters in every court at all times; survey the needs of each court to better meet their needs effectively and efficiently while reducing cost; meet with Judge's and court personnel semi-annually to assess their needs for service.
Reggie Forrester
Court Administrator
770-532-1895
 Email
 Media Resource
|
P.O. Drawer 1435
Gainesville, GA
30503
|
|
|
|
|
Homepage
