Several participants (and a graduate) from the Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s Accountability Courts participated in the Blue Ridge Adventure Race on May 6th. The race teams were led and organized by Veterans Court Case Manager John DiRenzo. According to the Blue Ridge Adventure Race website, this race is “A 10-hour adventure race” and teams can “expect between 20–30 miles of mountain biking, 5–8 miles of trekking with 4–8 miles of canoeing.” For obvious reasons, the participants have been training for this race for months! Adventure races can provide a challenging, team-oriented activity that encourages physical fitness and mental resilience. Participation in such events can also foster a sense of community and teamwork, which is critical for individuals who are recovering from substance abuse. Adventure races can provide a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety, which are common triggers for relapse. [...]

On April 14, 2023, Jennifer E. Jordan, Pickens County Clerk of Superior Court, was honored to be named as Clerk of the Year by the Ninth District Council of Superior Court Clerks. Congratulations, Ms. Jordan!

Mr. Frank Wood was appointed Chief Assistant District Attorney of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit by District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee. He was sworn-in to this position by Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda S. Weaver. Frank has faithfully served as an Assistant District Attorney in this Circuit for over the past seven years. He will assist throughout the Circuit in Pickens, Gilmer, and Fannin counties. We are confident that Frank will approach the duties of this appointment with the same dedication and work ethic that he has shown during his tenure with the District Attorney's office. As a side note:  In addition to the ACTUAL oath Frank was given, he was given another one - the OATH TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG! For the die-hard Tennessee Vols fan that Frank is, he couldn't quite [...]

The Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s Mental Health Court was recently named a model court by Georgia’s Council of Accountability Court Judges. As a model court, the Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s Mental Health Court will serve as a resource to ...

On July 29, 2020, Fannin County Superior Court Clerk Dana Chastain received the 2019 Stetson F. Bennett Superior Court Clerk of the Year Award. The award is given by the Superior Court Clerks Association of Georgia in recognition of outstanding leadership and dedication.

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda S. Weaver Congratulations to Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda S. Weaver for being awarded the STAR award at the Council of Accountability Court Judges Conference today. The STAR awards recognize those that go above and beyond for their courts. This award is only given to one judge in the state each year. Judge Weaver presides over both the Veterans Court and the Drug Court. Judge Weaver is pictured with retired Judge Tommy Wilcox, who started the first-ever accountability court in Georgia in Bibb County in 1994.

Read Scott Michaux’s article in UGA Research about Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda S. Weaver and […]

In 2018, Judge Weaver served as President of the Council of Accountability Court Judges and presented Governor Nathan Deal with a photo book entitled, "An Accountability Court Legacy," to say thank you for his ongoing support of accountability courts.

Lynn Bishop is the recipient of the 2018 Star Award for Treatment Provider. This honorable recognition considers nominations for Treatment Providers from all the accountability courts in the State. Additionally, in 2016, she was awarded the […]