Drug Court Sets Graduation

FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, 21 JULY 2010

The Fulton County Drug Court recognizes 15 graduates at it's Summer graduation ceremony Friday, July 23, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fulton Government Center Assembly Hall, 141 Pryor St., S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303.

Drug Court defendants who have fulfilled the requirements of the accountability court program will be recognized and a reception will be held for the graduates following the ceremony. The event is open to the public.

Drug Court has been operated by the Superior Court of Fulton County since 1997 and has proven an effective alternative to prison for addicted offenders. There are currently approximately 400 active Drug Court participants. The program has achieved a 70 percent success rate for graduates and is a cost-effective alternative to incarceration. A Mental Health Court for defendants with mental disorders has been in operation since 2007.

NOTE: Media wishing to cover the event must agree to limit their visual images to graduates who have signed HIPPA release forms. A list of graduates who have agreed to be photographed and interviewed will be available at the event.

The Superior Court of Fulton County is one of the top-performing urban courts in America. Our innovative programs, nationally recognized best practices, and excellent judges and staff reflect our commitment to ensuring that all find justice in our court.

For additional information about these and other programs operated by our court, please visit our web site at http://www.fultoncourt.org/.

Court's 20th Judge Takes Office

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shawn Ellen LaGrua has taken the oath of office and is now the Court's 20th elected judge.

Judge LaGrua was appointed to the new office by Governor Sonny Perdue. She was the Inspector General of the Georgia Secretary of State's Office. Previously, she had been Solicitor General of DeKalb County and an assistant district attorney in DeKalb and Fulton counties, for the Tallapoosa Circuit and the Prosecuting Attorney's Council.

Judge LaGrua graduated from the University of Georgia in 1984 and received her juris doctorate in law from the Georgia State University College of Law in 1987.

Judge LaGrua is a Master of the Logan E. Bleckley Inn of Court, an Advanced Evidence professor at Georgia State University College of Law, and a founding member and chair of the Georgia Association of Woman Lawyers, Judicial Application Review Committee.

Her community activities include serving on the boards of directors of The Georgia Center for Children, The Daisy Hill Foundation, Ahimsa House, Gold Shield Foundation, and Project Destiny Academy of Excellence.

Judge LaGrua will hear a mixed docket of criminal and civil cases. Her chambers telephone number is 404-612-8460.