Georgia courts journal, July 2000

July 2000

A Publication of the Judicial Council of Georgia

George Lange to Leave AOC
Citing "personal reasons," George Lange has resigned as Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. His departure date is August 10, 2000. Mr. Lange began his tenure as director in December, 1998, and has launched many new intiatives during that time. Chief Justice Robert Benham has named Jay B. Martin, Deputy Director, as interim director for the agency.
Highlights of Mr. Lange's Tenure:
Launched statewide IT newsletter, Web Currents;
Developed court caseload publication, Research Review;
Special training for deputy clerks via video-conferencing;
Development of funding opportunities through Grants Division;
Collaboration on judicial branch efforts at the General Assembly;
Identified areas of strategic direction: Professional Development, Outreach, Legislative Liaison, and Technology.

Fulton Justice and Law

Enforcement Summit

The 2000 Justice and Law Enforcement Summit brought together more than 150 Fulton County officials to discuss criminal justice issues within the county Chief Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore, Fulton Superior Court, and Chief Judge Barbara Harris, Municpal Court of Atlanta were co-convenors. The emphasis was clearly defined: to discuss how to move the county justice system from the current patchwork procedures and programs toward a more integrated, fluid, and uniform process.
Fulton County Superior Court: The Destination for Most Criminal Cases
Within Fulton County there are 10 local police departments, 6 municipal courts, and at least 5 other law enforcement authorities. Each of these agencies has its own set of forms and procedures. Of the 14,000 criminal cases filed annually in Fulton County Superior Court, half come from arrests made in the City of Atlanta and half from arrests made in the other municipalities.
Chief Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore explained that each of the participating municipalities and entities represents a "signif-

icant link in the criminal justice chain." She envisions that the Summit will serve as a first step towards uniformity and collaboration within Fulton County. She sees use of standard forms, police incident reports, bindover packets, and reciprocal programs,integrated computer databases and referral to substance abuse treatment, as an achievable goal.
Collaborative Model The Fulton County Superior
Court and the City of Atlanta Municipal Court have recently organized the Justice System Executive Committee (JSEC). Chief Judge Barbara Harris of Atlanta Municipal Court and Judge Moore serve as co-chairs of JSEC. Members include City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and State elected
continued on pg 7

INSIDE

Pardons and Paroles

Board Honored

pg 2

2000 Legislative Repor t pg 3

Court Executive

Development Program pg 7

Law Day

pg 8

2 Georgia Courts Journal July 2000

Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles Honored for Innovative Supervision Model

by Allison Manning, State Board of Pardons and Paroles
To fulfill its public safety mission, the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles has developed and implemented a supervision model for parolees that incorporates theory, research, public policy, accountability, and outcome measurement. The Results Driven Supervision (RDS) model has become a national standard and one of the nation's most acclaimed government programs.
APPA Presidents Award The American Probation and
Parole Association (APPA) recently presented their President's Award to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. The award was established in 1993 "to recognize outstanding community correction programs which serve to advance the knowledge, effectiveness, and integrity of the system." Through this award, the APPA honors "visionary organizations that have exemplified the management and innovations necessary to lead community corrections into the next decade."
Jim Bralley, Director of Field Operations for Pardons and Paroles, agrees that implementation of the RDS program was indeed a bold and innovative move. "We weren't just on the cutting edge, we were defining the cutting edge. We were combining what the academicians said worked with technology that had never been used in a parole-supervi-

sion setting," Bralley explained. "Now other states are interested in how we do things."
Parole Board Chairman Walter Ray is extremely proud of the RDS program's success. "Our agency is honored that the supervision program is getting so much attention and praise. Since we initiated resultsdriven supervision, our parole revocation rates have dropped by 32.6%, and the successful completion rate for parolees is up by 3%," Ray stated. "We hope that means that more of Georgia's parolees are reforming and staying out of prison, and as a result, Georgia's citizens are safer."
Innovation Award In 1999, the agency was also
honored with the Council of State Governments' Innovation Award for the South Region. This award is given to the most effective and costefficient state government models addressing critical public issues. Georgia's parole agency was one of eight national winners and was selected from a pool of 220 nominees. The Innovations Award Program is the only comprehensive national program that focuses on state programs and policies.
Results Driven Supervision The immediate goal of parole
supervision is to protect the community during the parolee's readjustment phase following release from custody. However, the ultimate goal of parole is to stabilize the parolees by helping them attain employment

skills, life-coping skills, and substance abuse recovery, if needed. Georgia's RDS program intensifies this focus through extraordinary efforts to find and help high-risk parolees. RDS intervention programs include the following components substance abuse: education, cognitive traits, and employment.
"With the incorporation of job skills training, substance abuse training, and cognitive skills development, the Board can help ensure that our parolees not only keep from going back to prison, but also have the opportunity to better themselves when they're released," said Mr. Ray.
Education and counseling are now offered on-site in many local parole offices. Special facilities with intensive focus on substance abuse are available where parolees can be sent if they test positive for drugs during their parole. The parole board, working with the Georgia Department of Corrections, is accelerating the hiring process for parolees by preparing job-readiness packages while the offender is still incarcerated. These packages -- which include any diplomas the inmate may have, identification material, and resumes -- help decrease the time between an inmate's release and their first pay check. During 1999, the parolee employment rate in Georgia was 87.5%.
Attempts to alter the thinking patterns of offenders are made
continued on pg 8

July 2000 Georgia Courts Journal 3
2000 Session Final*
Legislative Report

General Bills Criminal Law and Procedure Traffic Law Superior Courts Superior Court Clerks State Courts Juvenile Courts Probate Courts Magistrate Courts

General Bills
HB 39 Jury Duty: Exemptions OCGA 15-21-1 Provides for deferring or excusing from jury duty certain full-time students or any primary caregiver of a child under the age of four upon request. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 936)
HB 340 Witness Fees OCGA 24-10-24 Raises the daily fee for a witness from $10 to $25; provides that when a witness resides outside the county where testimony is to be given, service of the subpoena, to be valid, must be accompanied by tender of the fee for one days attendance.(Signed 5/1/00, Act # 756)
HB 542 Telemarketing: Information OCGA 10-5B-4 Makes it unlawful for a representative of a telemarketing business to fail to state the name of the business on whose behalf the call is made and to provide a telephone number or address at which the business can be contacted. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 769)
HB 804 Supreme Court Terms OCGA 15-2-4 Changes terms of court for the Supreme Court of Georgia as follows: the April term begins the third Monday in April; the September term ends December 16; the January term ends on April 14. (Signed 1/31/00, Act # 456, effective 1/31/00)
HB 837 Damages: Cause of Action OCGA 9-3-30 Provides that actions seeking recovery of damages to a dwelling due to negligent design, manufacture, or installation of synthetic exterior siding must be commenced within certain time limits. (Signed 3/28/00, Act # 482, effective 3/28/00)

HB 1160 FY 2001 General Appropriations
Provides a 3% salary adjustment for judicial branch state officials and employees on October 1, 2000.
Provides appropriations to judicial branch agencies as follows: Supreme Court, $7,094,074; Court of Appeals, $10,602,953; Superior Court, $82,578,098; Juvenile Courts, $1,383,075; Institute of Continuing Judicial Education, $1,066,142; Judicial Council, $8,089,207; Judicial Qualifications Commission, $215,197; Indigent Defense Council, $5,893,227; Courts Automation Commission, $2,682,982; Office of Dispute Resolution $342,690. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 948)
HB 1162 FY 2000 Supplemental Appropriations Provides appropriations to judicial branch agencies as follows: Supreme Court, $7,135,803; Court of Appeals, $10,274,483; Superior Court, $77,660,014; Juvenile Courts, $1,323,064; ICJE, $897,312; Judicial Council,$5,673,285; Judicial Qualifications Commission, $206,755; Indigent Defense Council, $5,262,000; Georgia Courts Automation Commission, $2,806,916; Office of Dispute Resolution, $300,510. (Signed 4/17/00, Act # 499)
HB 1284 Method of Execution OCGA 17-10-33; 17-10-38; 17-10-41 Provides for execution by lethal injection for persons convicted of capital crimes committed after May 1, 2000; defines lethal injection. (Signed 4/28/00, Act # 734, effective 5/1/00)
HB 1346 Civil Litigation Improvement OCGA 5-6-46; 14-2-510, 9-12-134 Sets $25,000,000 as the limit for a supersedeas bond for the punitive damages portion of a judgment; modifies venue provisions regarding actions involving business corporations and provides for notice of removal in tort cases. (Signed 3/30/00, Act # 490 effective 3/30/00)

HB 1428 Supreme Court: Authorization of Rules OCGA 53-1-9 Specifies that the Supreme Court of Georgia is authorized to adopt rules governing standard forms to be used in proceedings before the Probate Courts; sets forth certain conditions allowing the rules to be altered locally. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 868)
HB 1574 Senior Judges: Compensation OCGA 15-1-9.1; 15-1-9.2; 15-1-9.3 Specifies that senior judges will receive compensation when rendering judicial assis tance in other courts based on the annual salary of judges of the particular court; provides reimbursement options for actual expenses or per diem and mileage. (Signed 4/19/00, Act # 570)
SB 295 Local Ordinances: Codification & Funding OCGA 36-80-19 Provides that county law library funds will be used for codification of county ordinances at the discretion of the county governing authority and eliminates requirement for consent of the chairman of the board of trustees of the law library; requires each local governing authority to provide for a general codification of all ordinances of that unit of local government prior to 1/1/02; provides an exception for cities with population of 5,000 or less. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 719)
SB 383 Commission on Family Violence OCGA 19-13-35 Extends the life of the Family Violence Commission such that it shall be terminated and cease to exist on January 1, 2006, rather than January 1, 2002. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 906)
SB 426 Grand Jurors: Expense Allowance OCGA 15-12-7 Authorizes an expense allowance for grand jurors of not less than $5, or more than $50 per diem. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 916)

*(All measures effective 7/1/00 unless otherwise noted.)

4 Georgia Courts Journal July 2000
General Bills (CONT)
SB 465 Georgia Technology Authority OCGA 28-3-24.1; 40-5-20; 47-2-320; 50-5-10 & others Creates the Georgia Technology Authority as the successor to the GeorgiaNet Authority; establishes the position of Chief Information Officer who will serve as executive director of the Authority and oversee technology matters for state government. (Signed 4/10/00, Act # 497)
Criminal
HB 265 Assault of Sports Official OCGA 16-5-23 Defines the offenses of simple battery and battery against a sports official as high and aggravated misdemeanors. (Signed 2/24/00, Act # 464)
HB 408 Bailable Offenses OCGA 17-6-1 Adds trafficking in methamphetamine to the list of offenses bailable only before a judge of the superior court. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 758)
HB 520 DOT: Law Enforcement OCGA 32-6-29 Authorizes DOT enforcement officers to make use of drug detection dogs while on duty; stipulates that DOT must immediately notify the local law enforcement agency and district attorney of the jurisdiction where a seizure of unlawful drugs and controlled substances is made. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 768)
HB 584 Resident Alien: Guilty Plea OCGA 17-7-93 Provides that before accepting a plea of guilty to any state offense, the court must determine whether a noncitizen defendant understands the effect a guilty plea may have on their immigration status. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 699)
HB 613 GCIC: Release of Records OCGA 35-3-34 Authorizes GCIC to release criminal history records of in-state felony convictions, pleas and sentences by electronic means upon request. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 775)
HB 649 Controlled Substances OCGA16-13-32.5 Provides for the felony offenses of distributing controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a park or housing project. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 777)

HB 708 Summons: Waiver of Service OCGA 9-11-4, 9-6-63, 9-11-30 and others Provides for a request of waiver of service of a summons and its content, form and manner of dispatch. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 783)
HB 712 Child Molestation: Define OCGA 16-12-100.3 Defines the offense of obscene telephone contact with a child; provides for punishment as a high and aggravated misdemeanor. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 784)
HB 905 Obstruction of Public Employee OCGA 16-10-33 Makes it unlawful to knowingly remove or attempt to remove a firearm, chemical spray or baton from certain public employees including peace officers, probation officers, parole supervisors, jail officers or juvenile corrections officers; provides punishment of not less than one, nor more than five years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $10,000, or both. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 795)
HB 1097 Stalking: Prohibited Communication OCGA 16-5-90 Changes the definition of the crime of stalking to include when a person, in violation of a court order or injunction, broadcasts or publishes the picture, name, address, or phone number of the person for whose benefit the bond, order, or condition was made in such a manner that causes others to harass or intimidate such person. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 804)
HB 1240 Aggravated Sodomy: Minor Child OCGA 16-6-2 Defines aggravated sodomy to include committing sodomy with a person who is less than 10 years of age; increases punishment to imprisonment for up to 30 years. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 834)
HB 1264 Victim Assistance Programs OCGA 15-21-132; 15-21-134 Requires the court officer who is charged with the duty of collecting moneys from fines for the purpose of funding local victims assistance programs to submit monthly financial reports to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 838)
HB 1412 Inmate Release: Notification OCGA 42-5-9 Requires the Department of Corrections to notify the presiding judge and any victims when an inmate is released; notification shall be by mail or electronic transmission; notice to DAs and law enforcement will be posted to a publicly accessible web site. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 864, effective 1/1/01)

LEGISLATIVE REPORT
HB 1576 Intercepted Communications OCGA 16-11-62, 16-11-64, 16-11-66 Authorizes the use of certain devices to observe, photograph or record activities of persons in public or semi-public locations for security purposes; authorizes certain interceptions of electronic communications of children under 18; clarifies provisions regarding authorized interceptions of wire or oral transmissions conducted by law enforcement. (Signed 4/20/00, Act # 662, effective 4/20/00)
SB 297 Animal Protection OCGA 4-11-10, 4-1-6, 4-8-7, 4-11-2, 4-11-9.2 to -9.6, 16-12-4 Creates misdemeanor offense of cruelty to animals in the second degree when a persons actions cause death or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering to an animal; second violations to be punished by imprisonment not to exceed 12 months and a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both; for aggravated cruelty to animals, imprisonment for not less than 1, nor more than 5 years and a fine not to exceed $15,000, or both. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 686)
SB 307 Shoplifting: Felony Offense OCGA 16-8-14, 16-8-17 Provides that the offense of shoplifting is a felony when thefts have occurred in three separate mercantile establishments within one county in a seven-day period and value of the property exceeds $100; provides for imprisonment upon conviction for not less than one, nor more than ten years. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 721)
SB 316 Surveillance: Define OCGA 16-11-60; 16-11-62 Provides an exception to prohibited surveillance for an owner of real property who uses a photo device for security or crime prevention; prohibits sale or distribution of any such tapes or records. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 723)
SB 318 Convicted Felons: DNA Analysis OCGA 24-4-60 to -62; 24-4-65 Authorizes the Division of Forensic Sciences of the GBI to establish procedures for collection and transfer of DNA samples obtained from convicted felons either by blood sample or oral swabs; specifies implementation by personnel at Department of Corrections facilities. (Signed 4/28/00, Act # 738)

LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Criminal (CONT)
SB 390 Sentencing: Hate Crimes OCGA 17-10-17 Provides for an increased sentence in any case in which the trier of fact determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intentionally selected any victim, or any property, as the object of the offense because of bias or prejudice. (Signed 3/30/00, Act # 486)
SB 407 Protection of Elder Persons OCGA 16-8-12; 16-9-6; 16-5-100; 30-54; 30-5-10; 17-3-2.2 & others Establishes the offense of cruelty to a person 65 or older punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years; requires certain health care professionals to report cases of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation to an adult protection agency. (Signed 4/28/00, Act # 740, effective 5/1/00)
SB 446 Jail Officers: Assault OCGA 16-5-21, 16-5-24 Includes county jail officers in the offenses of aggravated assault and aggravated battery upon a correctional officer. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 921)
SB 450 Possession of a Weapon OCGA 16-11-106 Prohibits possession of a weapon during the commission of any crime involving manufacture or distribution of marijuana or certain counterfeit substances. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 919)
SB 466 Firearms to Minors: Penalty OCGA 16-11-101.1; 16-11-123; 16-11-126; 16-11-127.1 Provides for a fine not to exceed $5000 or imprisonment for not less that three, or more than five years, or both, for anyone convicted of furnishing a firearm to a person under the age of 18; persons convicted of possessing a dangerous weapon or machine gun while on school property will be punished by a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for not less than 5 or more than 10 years, or both. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 924)
SB 474 Misdemeanor Probation OCGA 17-10-3; 42-8-23; 42-8-80; 42-8-81 Removes supervision of probated or suspended misdemeanor offenders from the Department of Corrections. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 926)
SB 486 Mutual Protective Orders OCGA 19-13-4; 34-1-7 Prohibits the issuance of mutual protective orders in cases of family violence; authorizes judges to issue a temporary restraining order and injunction when there is evidence that credible threats of violence were carried out at an employees workplace. (Signed 4/28/00, Act # 739)

Traffic
SB 480 Brain Injury Trust Fund OCGA 15-21-149 Specifies that in any court where cases of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are tried, an additional penalty equal to 10% of the original fine will be deposited in the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 928)
Superior Courts
HB 1133 Child Custody Proceedings OCGA 19-9-1; 19-9-3 Stipulates that in child custody proceedings, a child between the ages of 11 years and 14 years shall have his or her desire considered, however, the best interest of the child standard shall be controlling; provides for temporary custody orders not to exceed six months if children are at least 11 years old, rather than 14 years old. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 808)
HB 1425 Superior Court Judgeships OCGA 15-6-2 Authorizes a total of six new superior court judgeships; one additional judgeship in each of the following circuits: Atlanta, BellForsyth, Chattahoochee, Cobb, Tallapoosa and Towaliga; provides for appointment by the governor for a term beginning July 1, 2000 and ending 12/31/02.(Signed 3/27/00, Act # 481, effective 3/27/00)
SB 137 Parental Power: Child Custody OCGA 19-7-1 Provides that a great-grandparent may participate in an action for child custody. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 895)
Superior Court Clerks
HB 597 Real Estate Indicies OCGA 15-6-61 Specifies that the clerk must maintain printed copies of real estate indices that are readily available to the public and updated regularly, regardless of any automated or computerized systems in use. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 774)
HB 1601 Nonconforming Liens OCGA 44-14-320 Specifies that nonconforming liens are not eligible for filing and recording; provides for ex parte affidavits regarding noncon forming liens requiring cancellation. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 881)

July 2000 Georgia Courts Journal 5
SB 176 Civil Case Filings OCGA 9-11-3, 9-1158, 15-5-24, 15-5-82 and others Establishes a system of providing transmission, compilation, and analysis of information on civil cases and use of certain prescribed forms to report case filings and dispositions; operation of the system to involve the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Council of Superior Court Clerks, the Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority and the Courts Automation Commission. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 716)
State Courts
HB 552 State Court Judges: Qualifications OCGA 15-7-21 Changes qualifications for serving as a state court judge as follows: having been admitted to practice law for seven years, rather than five; effective 1/1/01 pending approval at the November 2000 general election of a constitutional amendment making the same change. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 705)
HB 1216 Cherokee County State Court Provides for a second judge of the State Court of Cherokee County to be appointed by the governor for a term expiring December 31, 2000. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 828, effective 5/1/00)
HB 1564 State Court of Spalding County Provides that the judge of the State Court of Spalding County will be full-time following the election held in November 2000. (Signed 3/16/00, Act # 476, effective 3/16/00)
HB 1572 State Court of Cobb County Provides an additional judge to the second division of the State Court of Cobb County to be appointed by the governor for a term expiring December 31, 2002. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 708, effective 4/27/00)
SB 442 State Court of Gwinnett County: Add Judge Provides that effective January 1, 2000, there will be 5 judges of the State Court of Gwinnett County, rather than 4; provides that the fifth judge will be appointed by the governor for an initial term of office ending on December 31, 2002. (Signed 4/19/00, Act # 514)

6 Georgia Courts Journal July 2000
Juvenile Courts
HB 182 Juvenile Court Judgeships: State Funding OCGA15-11-18 Provides for contributions toward the salary of juvenile court judges on a per circuit basis by state grants; provides a maximum of $85,000/year for a full-time judge and a minimum of $17,000/year for a judge who works one day/week; total number of circuit-wide juvenile court judgeships to be determined by the local superior court judge or judges. (Signed 4/28/00, Act # 742, effective 10/1/00)
HB 892 Juvenile Intake & Probation Officers OCGA 15-11-9.1, 45-20-1 Provides that certain juvenile intake and probation officers transferred from county juvenile courts to the statewide juvenile and intake system before 1/1/99 are covered employees in the classified service of the state merit system. (Signed 3/1/00, Act # 467)
HB 1112 Juvenile Code: Revise OCGA 15-11-1 to -106, 15-11-149 to 155 and others Reorganizes articles on juvenile proceedings, parental rights and mentally incompetent juveniles; corrects certain cross-refer ences. (Signed 3/1/00, Act # 467)
HB 1206 Clerks of Juvenile Court: Training OCGA 15-11-9.2 Sets forth training requirements for clerks of the Juvenile Court to be completed on an annual basis; courses to be provided by the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education; provides for creation of municipal and county code enforcement boards, their organization and enforcement procedures. (Signed 4/28/00, Act # 744)
HB 1422 Child Advocate: Create OCGA 15-11-170 to 177; 49-5-41 Creates the Office of the Child Advocate to identify, receive, investigate, and seek resolution of complaints made by, or on behalf of, children concerning the policies and procedures of DHR, or any contractor or agent thereof, that may adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of children. (Signed 4/6/00, Act # 496, effective 4/6/00)
SB 315 Physicians: Temporary Custody OCGA 15-11-17.2 Provides that a physician may retain temporary protective custody of a child without a court order and without parental consent, if the childs life or health is in imminent danger and there is insufficient time to obtain a court order; provides for subsequent procedures. (Signed 4/6/00, Act # 493)

Probate Courts
HB 414 Guardianship: Dissolution OCGA 29-5-13 Provides for notice to temporary guardians of minors upon the application of the natural guardian for dissolution of the temporary guardianship; provides procedures if an objection is raised. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 759)
HB 1026 Community Trust: Life Beneficiary OCGA 30-10-6 Deletes the cap placed on administrative fees connected with community trusts; provides procedures when a co-trustee transfers funds from a community trust. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 801)
HB 1113 Election Returns: Electronic Format OCGA 21-2-77 Beginning with the election cycle in the year 2000, requires counties to provide election returns by precinct to the Secretary of State in an electronic format within 45 days after the close of voting. (Signed 2/8/00, Act # 459, effective 2/8/00)
HB 1157 Clerks Of Probate Court: Trust Account OCGA 15-9-18 Requires clerks of the Probate Court to deposit cash bonds transferred by the sheriff into interest-bearing trust accounts; interest from such funds shall be remitted to the Georgia Indigent Defense Council for distribution. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 818)
HB 1158 Senior Probate Judge: Court Interpreters OCGA 15-1-9.3; 15-9-140; 15-9-141 Authorizes appointment by the governor as a senior judge for any judge of the probate court who has served in office at least 10 years; authorizes the Supreme Court to participate in the Consortium for State Court Interpreter Certification for the training, testing and certification of interpreters. (Signed 4/27/00, Act # 709, effective 4/27/00)
HB 1204 Intestate Decedent OCGA 53-2-7 Specifies that upon the death of an intestate decedent who is the owner of any interest in real property, the title to any such interest will vest immediately in the decedents heirsat-law subject to divestment by the appointment of an administrator of the estate. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 826)

LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Magistrate Courts
HB 304 Magistrate Court Jurisdiction OCGA 5-10-260 to 263 Authorizes Magistrate Court jurisdiction over certain misdemeanor marijuana possession, shoplifting, alcohol violations relating to minors, and criminal trespass cases; (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 753)
HB 1257 Deposit Account Fraud: Define OCGA 16-9-20 Includes in the definition of financial institution, a national bank, a savings bank, a state or federal credit union, and a state or federal savings and loan association; specifies when the holder of a dishonored instrument may charge to the maker of such instrument any fees that a bank or financial institution charges for handling the dishonored instrument; raises certain retail installment contract check dishonor fees from $20 to $25. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 837)
SB 27 Warrant Application Hearing OCGA 17-4-40 Sets forth procedures for warrant application hearings if application is made by a person other than a peace officer; allows for immediate issuance of arrest warrants under certain circumstances; allows presentation of evidence and cross-examination of witnesses at the warrant application hearing; specifies that a warrant for the arrest of a teacher or school administrator may be issued only by a judge of the superior court, state court or probate court. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 944)
SB 338 Service of Citations OCGA 15-10-63 Provides that a copy of a citation for the trial of ordinance violations or misdemeanor violations of deposit account fraud be served on the accused and the original be promptly filed with the magistrate court; provides that the assignee of an obligation may bring certain actions only on behalf of the original obligee. (Signed 4/2/7/00, Act # 727)
SB 403 Magistrate Court: Electronic Filing OCGA 15-10-52 Authorizes the filing of actions, claims, answers, pleadings, and other documents by electronic means; authorizes the electronic signature and verification of such pleadings. (Signed 5/1/00, Act # 912)

July 2000 Georgia Courts Journal 7

Fulton Justice and Law Enforcement Summit (continued)

officials, department heads, and policymakers. JSEC members plan, direct, and implement projects to improve the justice system.
Automated Case Disposition The Byrne Grant-funded
Automated Case Disposition System (ACDS) is a major State-CountyCity automation venture. Upon its full implementation, ACDS will allow Fulton County Superior Court and the City of Atlanta Municipal Court to transmit case dispositions electronically to each other and to the Georgia Crime Information Center. Judges and court officials will have access to information such as a defendant's criminal history instantaneously. Officials have applied for Phase II Byrne Grant

funding, which would include Fulton County justice system entities (e.g., District Attorney's Office) on the Automated Case Disposition System. Phase III will include other jurisdictions within Fulton County.
The Future of Collaboration The Justice and Law Enforce-
ment Summit of 2000 represents a long-overdue interaction of members of the criminal justice system in Fulton County. Councilmembers, mayors, and chiefs of police networked with judges and executivelevel decisions makers -- all stakeholders in the justice and law enforcement arena. Evaluations from Summit participants suggested that annual or semi-annual summits be sponsored to maintain "the spirit

Summit Topics and Presenters

The Justice and Law Enforcement Summit topics were: Diversionary Drug Court, Community Court, Pretrial Services Programs, Complaint Room, Uniform Procedures and Forms, Special Initiatives of the Atlanta Police Department, Special Initiatives of the Fulton County Sheriff's Department, Indigent Defense, and Child Advocacy.
The following Fulton County City of Atlanta officials made presentations: Judge Isaac Jenrette, Superior Court and Drug Court; Judge Doris Downs, Superior Court; Sheriff Jacquelyn Barrett;

Chief Beverly Harvard and Deputy Chief Jon Gordon, Atlanta Police Department; District Attorney Paul Howard; Joe Drolet, Solicitor, City of Atlanta; Vernon Pitts, Public Defender; Juanita Hicks, Clerk of Superior Court; Marylynne Jefferson, Director, Atlanta Pretrial Services; Ingrid Moncure, Valerie Jordan, and Jackie Stewart, Atlanta Pretrial Services Program.
From State Government: Dr. J. William Holand, Assistant Deputy Directory, GBI; and Bob Haness, Director, Adult Probation, Department of Corrections.

and energy of the conference." The goal is to work collaboratively, thus enabling all of the links of the criminal justice chain to be stronger to expedite justice and to enhance access to justice.

Moore and Sikes Complete Cour t Executive Development Program

The Institute for Court

Management of

the National

Center for State

Courts recently

announced the

Marla Moore (left) and Tanya C. Sikes graduated recent ly from the ICM Court Executive Development Program

49 newest "Fellows of the Institute for Court Management." Among those

graduating from the Court

Executive Development Program

(CEDP) were Marla Moore,

Assistant Director for Judicial

Liaison for the Administrative

Office of the Courts, and Tanya C.

Sikes, Program Director for the

Office of Dispute Resolution, Third

Judicial Administrative District.

The CEDP provides training in

leadership and judicial administra-

tion. Fellows must complete five

core courses dealing with court

operations; a three-week residential

seminar; and an independent study

project and report. Ms. Moore's

report reviewed the success of the

Supreme Court Commission on

Gender Bias. Ms. Sikes'report

reviewed issues facing rural courts.

Law Week Observed

Students in Ms. Gloria Winston's Social Studies classes at North Atlanta High School are shown following a presentation on the Georgia Courts. Ms. Holly Spar row and Ms. Kenyetta Alexander of the Administrative Office of the Courts spoke with the students and answered questions.

State Board of Pardons and Paroles Honored

through cognitive skills training. The Reasoning and Rehabilitation Program is a 70-hour, 17-week course where skills such as anger management, negotiation, and dealing with authority are taught through interactive exercises and assignments.

Parolees live by a set of conditions that limits their freedom, prohibits certain associations, requires employment, demands payment of obligations like restitution and child support, and mandates expected behavior and attitude. If a parolee is

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not living up to these standards, parole officers can take actions from increasing the number of times a week a parolee must report, to revoking parole and sending the offender back to prison.

Georgia Courts Journal
Administrative Office of the Courts 244 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 550 Atlanta, GA 30334-5900

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE
PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT #1880

ROBERT BENHAM Chief Justice
GEORGE LANGE III Director
BILLIE BOLTON Assistant Director, Communications
ASHLEY G. STOLLAR Editor/Graphic Design