Public Safety: Accountability Courts

By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

 

Prison is not the right place for all individuals charged with crimes. Sometimes, crimes are committed because of addiction and mental illness. When that is the case and the crime is nonviolent, individuals may be eligible for programs that provide rehabilitation instead of incarceration.

Ten years ago, the Georgia Legislature established a statewide Accountability Court Program to provide effective alternative sentencing for nonviolent offenders, reduce incarceration rates, and give a second chance to defendants who have underlying substance abuse and mental health issues. These treatment problem-solving court options ensure participants meet their obligations to themselves, the court, and the community.

In our county, the District Attorney’s Office refers eligible offenders to one of three accountability court programs. After carefully screened individuals are accepted into an accountability court program, they receive intensive court supervision from a judge with specialized skills and training who is supported by an interdisciplinary team consisting of a prosecutor, defense attorney, law enforcement, probation, and treatment professionals.

Cherokee County Accountability Court programs require a minimum of 18 months to complete. While in these programs, defendants must pay restitution (if any) to the victims of their crimes as well as program fees. These structured treatment models require participants to regularly appear in court, undergo treatment sessions, and submit to frequent random drug and alcohol testing.

 

Cherokee County Accountability Courts

• Drug Accountability Court (DAC)
  Established in 2013 by Chief Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea, DAC is now overseen by Superior Court Judge David Cannon, Jr. After completion of the five-phase program, participants continue drug testing for six months, in addition to following any recommended treatment through support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. In 2021, our DAC enrolled 44 individuals with felony cases into the program and graduated 27 individuals.
• Treatment Accountability Court (TAC)
  Established in 2016 by Probate Judge Keith Wood, TAC is designed to help defendants who are facing criminal charges due in part to untreated or undertreated mental illnesses. TAC, which serves both felony and misdemeanor offenders, provides intensive treatment services to participants. In 2021, our TAC accepted 11 new felony offenders into the program and graduated nine participants.
• Veterans Treatment Court (VTC)
  Established in 2017 by State Court Judge Dee Morris, VTC provides treatment for defendants who are military veterans suffering from substance abuse and/or mental health issues often related to their military service. Most participants suffer from PTSD due to combat or other trauma in the military. Veteran mentors guide participants through the five-phase program. In 2021, VTC enrolled two new felony defendants and graduated six participants after all requirements were completed.

 

Changing Lives

It is always in the best interest of our community to rehabilitate individuals by addressing core issues with the goal to reduce the likelihood of future criminal activity. Through our accountability court programs, defendants in Cherokee County are getting the treatment they need while also receiving a second chance to pursue productive lives.