ACCOUNT ABILITY COURTS RECEIVE MULTIPLE STATEWIDE HONORS AT ANNUAL CACJ CONFERENCE
The Northeastern Judicial Circuit was recently recognized for outstanding achievement and leadership during the Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ) Annual Training Conference held in Athens, Georgia.
Hall County HELP Court and Dawson County Mental Health Court were both designated Model Courts, having met and exceeded adherence to statewide accountability standards as dictated by strong performance on certification and peer review processes. Superior Court Judge Clint G. Bearden and State Court Judge Kelley M. Robertson were honored for their leadership and service in guiding other courts across Georgia through this mentor distinction.
Heather Herrington, Director of Treatment Servies, was presented the prestigious Legacy of Excellence award, recognizing two decades of exceptional dedication, leadership, and impact in the accountability cou1t system. She first started at Treatment Services in 2006 and has led the agency as Director since 2022.
Chief Superior Court Judge Jason J. Deal was presented with the Tommy Day Wilcox Award, named after the retired Bibb County Superior Court Judge who created Georgia's first drug court in 1994. The award honors cou1t personnel who exemplify vision and sound leadership in promoting the mission of accountability court. Chief Judge Deal has presided over the Hall County Drug Court and Dawson County Treatment Court for over twenty years, previously served as the first Chairman of the Georgia Council of Accountability Court Judges, and currently serves on the CACJ Executive Committee.
"We are so proud of this recognition and honored to serve as a model for courts throughout Georgia," said Court Administrator Jason Stephenson. "What a fantastic recognition of the high-quality, research-based programming that is actively improving public safety, supporting participants on their path to recovery, and strengthening our local communities."
Treatment Services has locations in both Gainesville and Dawsonville, with a current census of almost 500 active participants across seven different accountability court programs.