Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, sent a letter to the District Attorneys of Clayton, Cobb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, and Henry Counties calling for the expanded use of accountability courts in Georgia.
“I am pleased to offer my full support to local District Attorneys as they utilize accountability courts, which provide non-violent offenders with opportunities for rehabilitation without unnecessary incarceration,” said Congressman Scott. “By focusing on the individual within the system, accountability courts facilitate recovery through positive action and mutual trust. I look forward to continuing my work with law enforcement officials around the state to ensure that our citizens can move past their mistakes and improve their communities as productive and healthy members of society.”
Georgia currently operates accountability courts in the form of drug courts, family treatment courts, mental health courts, driving under the influence (DUI) courts, and veterans’ treatment courts in judicial circuits across the state. These courts often focus on underlying issues to help individuals address the root causes of their behavior and receive necessary treatment. Participants in accountability courts are less likely to reoffend or violate their probation following their time in the program. In addition, according to a report from the Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ), accountability courts saved Georgia taxpayers an average of $13, 667 per participant in FY22, and also resulted in $41 million in positive economic impact for the state through taxes, avoided costs, crime victimization savings, adjudication and incarceration savings, and community service work.
