Background Information
Governor Brian P. Kemp has allocated up to $110 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address backlogs of court cases, particularly cases involving serious violent felonies. This ARPA funding will provide an opportunity for courts, prosecutors, public defenders, and related agencies to hire additional staff and acquire temporary workspace and facilities to address the backlog of cases. Priority will be given to eliminating the backlog of serious violent felony cases in superior courts because of the impact such cases have on public safety and the significant burdens they place on the judicial system.
The Judicial Council of Georgia Ad Hoc Committee on American Rescue Plan Act Funding (“ARPA Committee”) will oversee the application process for $96 million in ARPA grants to authorized trial courts (excluding municipal courts), appellate courts, prosecutors, and related agencies. The remaining $14 million in ARPA funds is allocated to public defenders and will be administered by the Georgia Public Defender Council. The Judicial Council’s Administrative Office of the Courts will staff the ARPA Committee and facilitate the Judicial Council’s grant application, awarding, compliance, reporting, and reimbursement processes.
The Judicial Council of Georgia Ad Hoc Committee on American Rescue Plan Act Funding (“ARPA Committee”) will oversee the application process for $96 million in ARPA grants to authorized trial courts (excluding municipal courts), appellate courts, prosecutors, and related agencies. The remaining $14 million in ARPA funds is allocated to public defenders and will be administered by the Georgia Public Defender Council. The Judicial Council’s Administrative Office of the Courts will staff the ARPA Committee and facilitate the Judicial Council’s grant application, awarding, compliance, reporting, and reimbursement processes.