Public Safety: A Life Dedicated to Public Service

By Shannon Wallace

 

Ask a group of children what they want to be when they grow up, and chances are most will name an occupation that involves service to others – perhaps police officer, fire fighter, teacher, medical provider, maybe even a prosecutor. I believe human nature instills a desire in all of us to help people.

This is certainly true within my office, where a team of prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates, and support staff all proudly serve this community. Our mission statement is to seek justice, act with integrity, and work with our partner agencies to protect the citizens of Cherokee County and the state of Georgia.

 

Within the Courthouse

When our law enforcement partners make a felony arrest, that’s when the criminal judicial process starts for us. Each new case is carefully reviewed, investigated, and prosecuted. We use our training and experience to ensure that dangerous criminals receive just punishment. Our approach is victim-centered, which means we regularly communicate with victims to keep them informed about cases and ask for their input, as the case moves forward.

For certain nonviolent defendants meeting specific requirements, the District Attorney’s Office may recommend alternative programs.

For example, defendants with underlying substance abuse or mental health issues may be referred to Drug Accountability Court, Treatment Accountability Court, or Veterans Treatment Court, where they receive intensive court supervision and rehabilitation. By addressing core issues, these programs reduce the likelihood of future criminal acts.

Pretrial diversion, another program for nonviolent offenders, is designed to deter future criminal conduct, minimize loss to victims through payment of restitution, and protect the community by closely monitoring participants.

Whether the defendant is sentenced to prison, probation, or an accountability or pretrial program, you can be assured that we are committed to keeping violent offenders off our streets.

 

Beyond the Courthouse

Our commitment to public service does not end at the doors to the courthouse. We take part in numerous community organizations and task forces including the Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Multidisciplinary Team; the Cherokee County Child Fatality Review Committee; the Domestic Violence Task Force; and the Suicide Prevention Coalition.

We offer training to law enforcement agencies and other organizations on important topics such as domestic violence, sexual assault, new developments in Georgia law and procedure, and specific topics requested by law enforcement. We participate in educational forums and speaking engagements including teen dating violence presentations for students in Cherokee County Schools. We also engage in community service projects throughout the year. For example, our office recently participated in a Christmas donation drive for seniors and children in our community.

When you have a heart for public service, it does not stop at the end of the workday. We are passionate about the work we do, and we are committed to serving our community both inside and outside of the courthouse.

I’m so glad I chose to dedicate my life to service, and I thank the citizens of Cherokee County for entrusting me to serve as your district attorney.