The Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia

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The Administrative Officeof theCourts of Georgia
Smoothing the way for Georgias courts
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Our mission

• Respond to courts requests
• Improve court processes
• Collect case count, other data

• Help improve case flow
• Provide fiscal, budget support
• Recommend improvements

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The Chain of Command

• Established 1973 by the General Assembly
• Reports to the Judicial Council of Georgia

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Who the AOC serves

• Supreme Court of Georgia
• Superior Courts
• State Courts
• Juvenile Courts

• Magistrate Courts
• Municipal Courts
• Probate Courts
• Court-appointed Commissions
• Related agencies

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The AOC
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The Director

• Implements mandates of the Judicial Council
• Reports to the Judicial Council

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Court Services Division
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Court Services Certification
Board of Court Reporting Licensing,
regulation Enforces standards
Georgia Commission on Interpreters Recruitment,
training Licensing, regulation Listing by county,
language
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Court ServicesResearch

• Research
• Case Count
• Legal legislative analysis
• Issues as courts request
• Publications

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Court ServicesCommission on Access and
Fairnessin the Courts

• Promotes education to minimize racial, ethnic
  gender bias in Georgia courts
• Increases awareness of domestic violence and
  disability issues
• Ensure equal access to justice

• Maintains list of certified interpreters for the
  hearing-impaired

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Court ServicesJudicial Liaison
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Court ServicesJudicial Liaison (cont.)

• Liaison between the  Magistrate,  Municipal
  and  Probate  Court  Judges
• Councils
• Assists ICJE Training Councils
  in  educational planning maintains training
  certification records
•  Plans, coordinates staffs business 
  committee meetings of the Councils
• Monitors legislation affecting magistrate,
  municipal, probate courts
•  

• Publishes newsletters, pamphlets assists with
  annual updates of  judicial benchbooks and
  handbooks , and standard forms 

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Court ServicesPrivate Probation

• Staffs the County and Municipal Probation
  Advisory Council that oversees and regulates 40
  private probation companies
• Provides technical assistance to courts on
  misdemeanor probation

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Court ServicesJury Management

• Assists judges, court administrators and jury
  commissioners with issues involving jury
  management.

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Court ServicesCommunications

• Georgia Courts Directory
• Georgia Courts Journal
• Legislative Log
• Website management
• Publishing support
• Press releases

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Human Resources

• Hiring and recruiting
• Personnel policies and procedures
• Supports Judicial Emergency Management Task Force
• Family Violence Commission

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Finance and Administration
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Finance and Administration

• Budgeting Payroll Services
• Technology
• Training

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Administration Finance and Budget

• Budget preparation and monitoring
• Finance and accounting
• Payroll and benefits
• Invoice processing
• Travel reimbursement

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AdministrationCourt Business Process
Improvement

• Technical training and assistance to courts
• Web-based fee calculator for court clerks
• Training professional development for court
  staff
• Court management assistance

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Administration Technology

• Case management software
• Jury selection software
• Technical assistance and training

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Legislative Governmental Affairs
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Legislative Governmental Affairs

• Liaison between Judicial Council and General
  Assembly
• Monitors legislation affecting courts
• Finds sponsors for bills important to courts
• Maintains tracking website.

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Legislative Governmental Affairs
Accountability Courts

• Assists local districts to develop drug, DUI,
  mental health courts
• Oversees Byrne Grant funds

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Legislative Governmental AffairsGrants
Performance Outcomes

• Identifies funding opportunities for courts
• Assists courts to develop performance measures
  and plan outcome studies
• Has managed over 150 grants worth more than 48.7
  million

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Legislative Governmental Affairs Child
Placement Project

• Works to improve the juvenile court process for
  deprivation cases
• Created automated Case Plan Reporting System
• Develops standards of practice for juvenile court
  officials

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General Counsel
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General Counsel

• Reviews and drafts contracts for the AOC and
  other judicial agencies
• Conducts legal research
• Provides legal advice to AOC and related
  organizations

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General Counsel

• Provides support for special projects and
  Commissions
• Liaison with State Bar of Georgia and executive
  branch

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General Counsel

• Manages 2.2 million for victims of domestic
  violence

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The AOC
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Want to know more?

• Website
• www.georgiacourts.org
• [phone]
• Billie Bolton, Director of Communications
• [phone] boltonb_at_gaaoc.us
• Philippa Maister, Public Information Officer
• [phone] maisterp_at_gaaoc.us