COURTWATCH – HOW DO WE STOP REPEAT OFFENDERS IN SOUTH DOWNTOWN?
COURTWATCH
SOMA is following the lead of Midtown Ponce Security Alliance (MPSA) to make sure repeat offenders are not permitted back onto the streets. SOMA participates in Citizens’ CourtWatch. The Citizens’ Court Watch is a program run by the Fulton County District Attorney’s office. CourtWatch was created by District Attorney Paul Howard to “engage average citizens in the criminal justice system.”
The program offers citizens an opportunity to gain an understanding of the effects that the behavior of repeat criminal offenders’ has on a community. The focus is on repeat offenders and their commission of quality of life crimes, including drug dealing. Community members are encouraged to attend court hearings in order to track the progress of repeat offenders, and, when deemed appropriate by the court, to speak at court proceedings , explaining to the court how the repeat offenders’ actions undermine goals for a safe community. Ongoing training sessions take place throughout the year to prepare citizens for Court Watch.
Update
Our first Court Watch was a success
Zone 5 Repeat Offender
WHAT: State v Gregory B. Jones
WHEN: Thursday, September 27, 2012 @ 9:30 A.M.
WHERE: Judge Jerry W. Baxter – Courtroom 4D
Fulton County Justice Center Tower
185 Central Avenue, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
FACTS: On January 24, 2012 two APD Officers were on patrol in the area near an address on Peachtree Street in Northwest Atlanta seeking a wanted person identified as Gregory B. Jones who was known to frequent that area. An Officer observed Gregory Jones standing in front of the location and apprehended him. The officers conducted a search of Gregory B. Jones. When Mr. Jones removed his boots a small rock of suspected Crack-Cocaine was recovered from his possession. Gregory B. Jones was arrested and transported to the Fulton County Jail and is charged with Possession of Cocaine.
SENTENCE:Assistant District Attorney DeMone W. Lee prosecuted this case and provided the following
statement:
“Below are the terms of the defendant’s sentence. Essentially the neighborhood should be protected for the next 20 years.
- Possession of Cocaine – 10 years, 3 to serve, balance probated banishment from East of Northside Blvd, West of Boulevard, South of 10th Street and North of Memorial Dr.
- Robbery – 20 years probation suspended upon seven years completion, no contact with the victim, banishment from East of Northside Blvd, West of Boulevard, South of 10th Street and North of Memorial Drive.”
The Defendant is to report to the Rice Street Jail on Thursday, October 4, 2012 to begin serving his sentence.
Please contact 911 if defendant Gregory Jones is seen in the community. The terms of his sentence state that
he has been banished from Zone 5 and to return to the area would be in violation of his sentence.
Many thanks to the seven Citizens who attended this lengthy CourtWatch date that ended at 3:00 P.M. The Judge referenced the presence of community members multiple times during the afternoon session.
Thank you for being “The Eyes and Ears of the Community in Court!”
Justice doesn’t just happen
For more information, contact:
Sharla D. Jackson
Senior Assistant District Attorney
Zone 5 Community Prosecutor
Office of The Fulton County District Attorney
Ph: 404.265.3450
Janet L. Martin
Citizens CourtWatch Coordinator
Office of The Fulton County District Attorney
Ph: 404.699.5297
courtwatch@fultoncountyga.gov
