Technology Keeps Cherokee County Courts Moving Through COVID-19

By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

No one could have predicted the effect COVID-19 would have on every aspect of our lives. From stay-at-home-orders and social distancing to face mask protocols and temperature checks, our world looks nothing like it did just a few short months ago.

It should come as no surprise to hear that our courthouse has also operated differently.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Cherokee County officials and local agencies took a proactive approach, working together to ensure that the justice system continued to operate.

Our Cherokee County Superior Court and the Supreme Court of Georgia issued numerous judicial emergency orders to protect our community, including criminal defendants and their attorneys, prosecutors, deputies, courthouse staff, victims, witnesses, and members of the general public who would otherwise have been compelled to report for jury service.

Judicial orders led to the cancellation of jury trials beginning in March and continuing at least through August. In addition, orders required those entering the courthouse to wear protective masks and have their temperatures taken, prioritized cases where an immediate liberty or safety concern is present, and advised the use of technology in order to maintain social distancing.

Through it all, the District Attorneys Office has remained open to conduct its business.

In response to these judicial orders, our office instituted new procedures, most notably the handling of court matters via videoconferencing and the creation of an online court system that utilizes electronic documents and signatures. We also worked diligently to move less serious cases through the jail quickly in order to prevent overcrowding.

We collaborated with the Sheriffs Office, Solicitor-Generals Office, local defense bar, and Superior and Magistrate Courts to ensure hearings pertaining to criminal matters continued to take place quickly and efficiently.

Throughout the pandemic, court proceedings have been conducted via Zoom, with a live feed posted to ensure court remains open to the public.

From March 13 through July 10, our Office

• Provided services to 947 victims
• Conducted 454 hearings
• Formally accused 242 cases
• Prepared 122 cases for grand jury

COVID-19 and the Judicial Emergency Orders that followed have transformed our daily practices and procedures. While our processes have changed, the justice system has never shut down, and our Office has not seen any interruptions in operations throughout the pandemic.

Videoconferencing and the online court system have enabled us to handle the majority of hearings and other court matters. With this technology, we can continue to conduct the business of the court while protecting the health and well-being of the public, our colleagues, and ourselves.

We look forward to the day when we can again have live court with all parties physically present. But for now, we are thankful for amazing technology.

Notes Facts and figures in this column are current at the time of writing. A copy of all judicial orders can be found here: CherokeeGa.com/District-Attorneys-Office. To watch live court proceedings, which change each day based on the presiding judge, visit Facebook.com/CherokeeDistrictAttorney for the link.