The Pre/Post Conviction Unit handles appeals, probation revocations, bond forfeitures, preliminary hearings, the Fast Track/Pre-Trial Diversion Program, provides research assistance to the other units, and maintains a small felony caseload.

Our Post-Conviction Unit is our busiest unit. They handle more cases than any other unit.

Attorneys

Venita McCoy, Assistant District Attorney
Appeals, Probation, Preliminary Hearings, Bond Forfeitures

Emory D. Christian, Assistant District Attorney
Fast Track, Pre-Trial Diversion

Fast Track Program

The Fast Track Program is a unique, cutting edge program headed by ADA Emory Christian.  The unit is tasked with quickly and efficiently moving cases against low risk defendants.  ADA Christian designs a plan of action and creates innovate solutions to try to prevent these individuals from becoming life long criminals.  Many of these cases are resolved through pre-trial diversion.  Pre-trial diversion is a contract between the State and the defendant which requires the defendant to follow certain rules and complete a set of tasks and in return, the charges against that person are dismissed once all those actions are successfully completed.  It is one of the many tools ADA Christian uses to resolve these cases.  The Fast Track Program has resulted in a marked decrease in the number of pending cases in the office.

Appeals Division

The Appeals Division is responsible for representing the State of Georgia through the appellate process in the higher courts of the state and sometimes in the federal judicial system. In many instances, the prosecution of a criminal case does not end with a conviction at trial, especially in death penalty cases. Appellate attorneys are also closely involved with the prosecution of death penalty cases, providing oversight to ensure compliance with Georgia's death penalty statute and complex trials to provide assistance on issues at trial. The enactment of 35-1-37 (d) which created an administrative procedure for expungement of records is also handled in the Appeals Division. Appellate attorneys handle open records requests and record expungement petitions.

Violation of Probation Division

The Violation of Probation Division is responsible for representing the State of Georgia against those who violate their probation requirements. As an integral part of the judiciary, probation plays a vital role as the post dispositional enforcement arm of the court. The role of Probation is to promote the welfare and safety of children, families and communities by enforcing court orders, supervising offenders, monitoring behavior, and intervening to produce positive outcomes.

Preliminary Hearings

A Preliminary Hearing is a hearing to determine if there is reason to believe that a crime has been committed and the accused committed it. If so, the case will be "bound over" to the grand jury. Victim's appearance required only if subpoenaed or requested. Preliminary hearings are done after the police have arrested a crime suspect. The suspect is then entitled to a preliminary hearing. Designed as a safeguard against unreasonable arrest and detention, the hearing is conducted to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to hold the defendant for trial. The prosecutor has the burden to prove probable cause and the accused is allowed to introduce evidence.