For Immediate Release: District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee is pleased to announce that the Appalachian Judicial Circuit was awarded one of only twelve prosecutorial positions state-wide on Friday, October 4, 2013 at the Fall Meeting of the District Attorneys for alternative sentencing courts. In order provide courts with the critical funding necessary to support the growth of Accountability Courts in Georgia to reduce the prison population, Governor Nathan Deal and the Georgia General Assembly, passed legislation that included funding for additional prosecutors within the State.

District Attorney Sosebee states

“Being awarded a state-funded position for an additional prosecutor will allow this office to not only continue to actively support the accountability courts in this Circuit, but will also permit this office to participate in the growth of the alternative sentencing court programs. I would like to thank Speaker of the House David E. Ralston for his support of these programs and for his assistance in being awarded the funding for an additional prosecutor for Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin counties.”

The Appalachian Judicial Circuit has one of the longest standing Adult Drug Court programs in Georgia. Since its implementation in 2002, other alternative sentencing courts have been established in this Circuit, including the Family Drug Court, Mental Health Court and most recently Veterans Court. These programs entail frequent drug testing, intensive treatment, judicial oversight, and community supervision and support. Sosebee states that

“The alternative sentencing courts provide ways to protect public safety and hold offenders accountable while providing offenders treatment for substance abuse and mental health problems.”

Immediate Contact:
Brian Stanford, Chief of Staff
(706) 632-2496