American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Award Announced for Coweta Judicial Circuit

(Carroll County, GA) Chief Superior Court Judge, John Simpson of the Coweta Judicial Circuit and Sheriff Terry Langley of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office are proud to announce a grant in the amount of $1,983,773.00 that will benefit the Carroll County Judicial Center. Chief Judge Simpson authored the grant awarding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies. The grant was submitted on January 17, 2022, with hopes the award would assist in reducing case backlogs created by a fourteen-month shutdown of jury trials due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Chief Judge Simpson signed the document formally accepting the grant and acknowledging that Carroll County would assist with administration. The grant will provide additional support for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office who have Deputies who stationed throughout the courthouse for security, and will provide three assistant district attorneys, and an additional attorney investigator. Over $90,000.00 will go towards juror expenses, $150,000.00 for court reporter expenses, $9,800.00 for upgrades for voice and data communication software, $450,000.00 to free experienced superior court judges to focus on serious felony case backlog. Chief Judge Simpson was especially proud to announce three new additional positions to drive technology through the operations of the court, as technology has proved to be a vital part of the courts continuing to operate during the height of the pandemic.

Carroll County is pleased to receive this grant award from the Judicial Council of Georgia Ad Hoc Committee and to be a part of helping clear the back log of cases. The grant went into effect on March 1, 2022, and Carroll County is grateful to Chief Judge Simpson and his diligence and dedication to the County’s Judicial Court System.