Pretrial Offices Have Been Combined

ATLANTA - Less than a month after the merger was approved Fulton County Superior and State Court Pretrial offices have been combined!

The merger, approved Oct. 21 by Fulton County Commissioners and completed Nov. 19, marks a new era of cooperation and efficiency said Superior Court Chief Judge Cynthia Wright and State Court Chief Judge Patsy Porter.

The merger combined offices that supervised misdemeanor and felony defendants. The measure was promised earlier this year by Court leaders to increase the efficiency of court operations in the face of ongoing budget constraints.

“This change ushers in a new era of cooperation between State and Superior Courts of sharing services to increase the efficiency of both Courts,” said Chief Superior Court Judge Wright who became Chief Judge in May.

State Court Chief Judge Porter, who also took office this year, agreed that the merger is “a good opportunity to work together as a court system; to show that we are on the same team.”

A committee of State Court judges Susan B. Forsling, Susan E. Edlein and Fred C. Eady worked with State Court staff to hammer out the details of the transfer, Judge Porter said. She praised the “invaluable” service of State Court staff members Mark Harper, Valerie Jordan and Adelaide Wilder in preparing for the transfer of the misdemeanor pretrial release and supervision to Superior Court.

Current State Court pretrial office employees became Superior Court employees under the agreement, said Superior Court Administrator Yolanda Lewis. Combining the operations provides court officials an opportunity to evaluate and improve efficiencies, Lewis said.

"We look forward to a new and improved Pretrial program which will expand the use of technologies and services," Lewis said.

Pretrial Services officers provide neutral, non-adversarial and verified information to judges, defense attorneys, and the prosecutors for use in determining whether to grant bond at a defendant’s initial court appearance and any subsequent hearings where bond and or conditions of release are being determined.

Supervision officers conduct drug testing of defendants to determine the prevalence of drug addiction in the jail population and provide initial screening for addiction and or mental illness to determine which defendants may be appropriately referred to Drug or Mental Health Court.

Working around the clock seven days a week Superior Court Pretrial Services screened 14,220 felony defendants in 2009. Of that total, judges assigned 4,435 defendants to the supervised release program.

Defendants in the supervised release program are much more likely to appear in court and avoid further arrests. In 2009, 97 percent of defendants released to Pretrial supervision attended all scheduled court hearings while avoiding new criminal charges.

The Superior and State Courts of Fulton County are Georgia’s largest and busiest trial courts.

Learn more about the Superior Court on Facebook and follow Court developments on twitter. You can also access information about Superior and State Court programs on the internet at http://www.fultoncourt.org/.

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Fulton Courts merge programs

ATLANTA – The pretrial release supervision programs of the Fulton County Superior and State Courts will be combined in what Court officials call the beginning of a new era of cooperation and efficiency.

Approved Wednesday by Fulton County Commissioners the merger combines offices that supervised misdemeanor and felony defendants. It was a measure promised by Court leaders earlier this year to increase the efficiency of court operations in the face of ongoing budget constraints.

“This change ushers in a new era of cooperation between State and Superior Courts of sharing services to increase the efficiency of both Courts,” said Chief Superior Court Judge Cynthia Wright who became Chief Judge in May.

State Court Chief Judge Patsy Porter, who also took office this year, agreed that the merger is “a good opportunity to work together as a court system; to show that we are on the same team.”

A committee of State Court judges Susan B. Forsling, Susan E. Edlein and Fred C. Eady worked with State Court staff to hammer out the details of the transfer, Judge Porter said. She praised the “invaluable” service of State Court staff members Mark Harper, Valerie Jordan and Adelaide Wilder in preparing for the transfer of the misdemeanor pretrial release and supervision to Superior Court.

Current State Court pretrial office employees will become Superior Court employees under the agreement, said Superior Court Administrator Yolanda Lewis. No jobs will be eliminated during the transition and combining operations will provide an opportunity to evaluate and improve efficiencies with both programs, Lewis said.

Pretrial Services officers provide neutral, non-adversarial and verified information to judges, defense attorneys, and the prosecutors for use in determining whether to grant bond at a defendant’s initial court appearance and any subsequent hearings where bond and or conditions of release are being determined.

Supervision officers conduct drug testing of defendants to determine the prevalence of drug addiction in the jail population and provide initial screening for addiction and or mental illness to determine which defendants may be appropriately referred to Drug or Mental Health Court.

Working around the clock seven days a week Superior Court Pretrial Services screened 14,220 felony defendants in 2009. Of that total, judges assigned 4,435 defendants to the supervised release program.

Defendants in the supervised release program are much more likely to appear in court and avoid further arrests. In 2009, 97 percent of defendants released to Pretrial supervision attended all scheduled court hearings while avoiding new criminal charges.

The Superior and State Courts of Fulton County are Georgia’s largest and busiest trial courts.

Learn more about the Superior Court on Facebook and follow Court developments on twitter. You can also access information about Superior and State Court programs on the internet at www.fultoncourt.org.

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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/.

Speak Out: Let Fulton Commissioners Know You Support Safer Communities

Your comments are sought on the Fulton County 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Proposal.


Deadline is 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 31st, 2010

Fulton County residents are invited to comment on a grant application that will help Fulton pay for activities that prevent and control crime.

Monday, May 31st, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline to submit comments on the Fulton County 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program proposal. JAG helps governments thwart crime by funding local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice.

It is anticipated that this grant application will be placed on the Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 Board of Commissioners Recess Meeting Agenda.

Fulton County is required by the U.S. Department of Justice-Office of Justice Programs to solicit citizen comments on the JAG proposed projects.

Copies of the complete JAG application, which has details, are at the Fulton County Department of Finance, 141 Pryor Street, S.W., Suite 7001, Atlanta, GA, 30303

Comments must be sent online or in writing to the attention of Joe Trachtenberg Grants Development Manager, Fulton County,mailto:joe.trachtenberg@fultoncountga.gov This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by mail to the above-listed address.

Fulton Accountability Courts Mark National Observance

MEDIA ALERT

May is National Accountability Court Month and the Fulton County Drug and Mental Health Courts are hosting events to highlight the importance of these courts to public safety.

The theme for the month, “All Rise: Putting Drug Court Within Reach of Every Person in Need” recognizes the need to establish accountability courts to address the problems of each of the 1.2 million Americans who appear before the courts each year with serious substance abuse and mental health issues.

Simply put, research has shown that accountability courts work. They are effective alternatives to repeated offenses by persons with addictions and mental illness and produce citizens who pay taxes, support their families and live drug-free lives.

Fulton's Drug and Mental Health Courts invite your coverage of the following events:

Friday, May 21

Fulton County Accountability Courts Picnic
Welcome All Park
College Park, GA


Wednesday, May 26

Fulton County Accountability Courts Family Day
Hope Hall
1135-A Jefferson St.
Atlanta, GA

For times and other coverage information, email PIO@FultonCourt.org

Fulton Superior Court Administrator Resigns

ATLANTA – Judith A. Cramer announced her resignation as administrator of the Superior Court of Fulton County. Ms. Cramer, who has held the position since 1997, said Wednesday that she will remain as administrator until a successor is named.

Ms. Cramer’s announcement came the same day that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted for a new unified justice system computer system, a project that Ms. Cramer and other court officials had sought for most of the past decade.

The decision to leave, however, had been in the making for some time, Ms. Cramer said.

“This is a decision that I had been struggling with for nearly a year,” Ms. Cramer said. Ms. Cramer, who last year earned a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary, said she will be seeking a position as a pastor in the United Methodist Church.

Chief Superior Court Judge Cynthia D. Wright praised Ms. Cramer’s devotion to the Court.

“Judy has invested countless hours to help this Court create new programs and obtain the technology necessary to serve our citizens,” Chief Judge Wright said. “I am particularly happy that one of the initiatives she has labored for over the last 10 years is now just a few steps away from becoming a reality after today’s Board of Commissioners’ vote.”

“We wish Ms. Cramer success in her new ventures and thank her from the bottom of our hearts for her tireless efforts,” Chief Judge Wright said.

Ms. Cramer began her court career at the local Common Pleas Court in Montgomery County, Ohio, where she was asked to develop and direct a 12-County correctional institution for adult male and felony offenders. In 1982, she became the Court Administrator for the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas where she served until 1993. After operating a successful Weed and Seed crime reduction program in Tampa, Fl., Ms. Cramer joined the Fulton Superior Court as court administrator in 1997.

Ms. Cramer was instrumental in establishing and managing a number of innovative programs at the Fulton Superior Court that streamline and enhance the administration of criminal and civil cases.

The court was the first in Georgia to have fulltime Family Court judges who hear divorces and other family law matters so they are not delayed by criminal cases. The Court also operates Georgia’s largest and most ambitious Drug and Mental Health Court programs which greatly reduce the incident of repeat crimes by defendants.

The Fulton Superior Court Business Division, which was recognized in 2009 as the most innovative business court in the nation by the National Association of County Executives, is credited with enhancing Atlanta’s position as a business hub in the Southeast.

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Mental Health Professional Named to Head Fulton Drug Court

For Immediate Release
ATLANTA – The Superior Court of Fulton County has selected an experienced mental health clinician and manager as Drug Court Director.

Kevin D. Larry, who has more than 20 years experience in the mental health field, was selected following an extensive search.

The Superior Court’s Drug and Mental Health accountability courts together supervise more than 400 felony offenders with addiction and mental health problems. These accountability courts are credited by police with drastically reducing their charges’ incidence of repeat offenses and increasing the quality of life and safety of Fulton communities.

Mr. Larry comes to the Drug Court from the Fulton County Mental Health Department where he was the manager of The Fulton County Center for Health and Rehabilitation programs since 2007. He will begin his new assignment on March 3, 2010.

Previously, Mr. Larry worked as a psychiatric social worker at Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Medical Center; as a behavioral manager at HealthPlus of Michigan; a therapist at the Mott Children’s Health Center in Flint Michigan; and a transplant social worker at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan.

Mr. Larry obtained a bachelor’s degree at Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in Social Work at Wayne State University in Detroit. He also has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

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 our court, please visit our Web site at http://www.fultoncourt.org/.

Thank You!

Thank you to the hundreds who signed the Court’s petition to save the Fulton Justice System and to those who stood before the Fulton County Commission to urge full funding of vital public safety and judicial services.
On Wednesday Jan. 20, 2010 Fulton Commissioners reinstated $1.3 million to Justice System agencies and court programs.
Among the funds restored to the 2010 budget on Wednesday is $150,000.00 for Drug Court, $800,000.00 to Pretrial Services for State and Superior Courts and $426,000.00 for the Circuit Public Defender’s office.
While there are cuts to the 2010 Justice System budget they are much less than what they would have if each of you had not added your voice to those who stood up for programs that make Fulton a safer county.

Doris L. Downs

Chief Judge

Superior Court of Fulton County

Fulton County budget cuts may add to county expenses

Fulton County Commissioners on Wednesday are set to adopt a budget for 2010 that may cut cost-saving programs that will add to overall expenses for the county, according to Fulton’s Chief Judge.

A 10 percent across-the-board cut on top of a 4 percent employee pay decrease tentatively approved by Commissioner in December will force reductions or elimination of diversion programs that will funnel more than 1,000 defendants back into the county’s already overcrowded jail, said Chief Fulton Superior Court Judge Doris L. Downs.

“If we must eliminate or drastically reduce our Drug and Mental Health Courts and our supervised pretrial release programs we cannot allow the defendants in these programs to remain on the street unsupervised,” Downs said Monday during a meeting of program administrators. Up to 30 Superior Court employees could be fired to meet the county goal, she said. Other equally large numbers of employees could be fired from the District Attorney, Public Defender and Clerk of Court.

Upwards of 1700 defendants are currently supervised by these programs at a drastically lower cost per day than incarceration in the county jail. For example, defendants on supervised pretrial release cost the county $5 a day. Drug and Mental Health Court defendants are supervised for $23 a day. Jailing inmates costs a minimum of $72 a day.

Superior Court Administrator Judy Cramer said every cost saving effort has already been taken and all that’s left to cut are jobs.

“Wednesday is the last chance for the Commission to take into account the true impact of cuts of this magnitude,” Cramer said. Layoff letters are being readied in case the Commission holds fast to the 10-percent cuts. “We must deliver the letters by Monday in order for our employees to have time to explore other positions within the county and receive assistance from human resources with filing for unemployment and other benefits,” she said.

Downs and Cramer have met with individual commissioners and county executives and laid out an alternative plan that would cut the jail population in half by July, but that plan requires funding the judicial system at its current level. The extra personnel to process additional cases would be paid for by an existing federal stimulus grant received by the court last year, Downs said.

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Keep up to date on official Fulton Superior Court news at: http://fultoncourtinfo.blogspot.com/

Think This Can't Happen?

The Fulton County Justice System is under enormous stress to process tens of thousands of criminal and civil cases with its current employees and judges.
Criminal prosecutions and civil litigation will be delayed even further if hundreds of Justice System employees and staff are laid off as a result of further budget cuts.
The county’s latest budget proposal calls for 10 percent across the board cuts in addition to prior reductions in state and county support for the Justice System. But that approach just doesn’t add up.

Here are some examples that show reducing or eliminating court programs that safely remove defendants from the overcrowded Fulton Jail will only add to the budget:

Jailing pretrial defendants: Daily Cost - $72 x 1,300 = $93,600.
Supervised pretrial release: Daily Cost - $5 x 1,300 = $  6,500.
Daily saving:                                                          $87,100.

Jailing pretrial defendants: Daily Cost - $72 x 500 =  $36,000.
Drug/Mental Health Court: Daily Cost -  $23 x    500 = $11,500.
Daily saving:                                                           $24,500.

What You Can Do: