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The Magistrate Court of Fulton County Hosts Mobile Vaccination Drive at Fulton County Courthouse
In an effort to assist in vaccination efforts, the Magistrate Court of Fulton County hosted a mobile clinic on Friday, July 2, 2021 outside the Courthouse on the Central Avenue side. The mobile vaccination clinic was coordinated by Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat in affiliation with Fulton County Juvenile Court Chief Judge Juliette W. Scales, Fulton County Probate Court Judge Kenya Johnson, and Fulton County Marshal Maria McKee. We have partnered with CORE and the Georgia Department of Health to provide FREE Covid-19 vaccines with the Mobile Units. Thank you to the Sheriff’s Public Affairs team, FGTV’s Shaunya Chavis, Tyree Spencer and Terria Smith, Fulton County External Affairs’ Jessica Corbitt and Audcy Radio’s Dr. Rashad Richey and Maria Boynton for helping us get the word out. This pop-up clinic was the culmination of our 15-day vaccination campaign and was in keeping with our focus on customer service and embodying our mission to Inform, Engage and Empower Our Community.
The Magistrate Court of Fulton County Hosts Statewide Judicial Training on Gender Sensitivity and Implicit Bias in the Courthouse
Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk recognized the importance of identifying the obstacles experienced by transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people in our court system by organizing a Statewide Judicial Training. To bring awareness and understanding to Georgia Magistrate Courts Judges, Chief Judge Kirk has brought in Ethan Rice from Lambda Legal, as the presenter for this training to help continue to Inform, Engage and Empower Our Community.
This training included educating Judges on transgender concepts such as sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Mr. Rice also provided guidance on best practices in the courthouse, myths about transgender people and ways to create a respectful environment for all parties involved.
Misdemeanor Mental Health Court Celebrates First Graduation as a Georgia Certified Accountability Court
It was another exciting time for the Misdemeanor Mental Health Court! We celebrated our 8th Misdemeanor Mental Health Court graduation and our first as a Georgia certified Accountability Court! Friday July 10, 2020 we had 10 graduates and plenty of other participants in a totally virtual Zoom graduation led by Judge Cassandra Kirk, Judge Patsy Porter, Georgee Corley and the amazing team of professionals in the MMC! Let’s put our virtual hands together to congratulate all the hardworking graduates!
Amazing job to the Misdemeanor Mental Health Court team.
Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk Partners with Nonprofit to Provide Rent Relief for Tenants During the Pandemic
As Courts begin to re-open during coronavirus and the Statewide Judicial Emergency, Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk has teamed up with Atlanta-based nonprofit Star-C Programs to offer landlords and tenants in the Magistrate Court of Fulton County an opportunity to rethink eviction as the cure for rent default.
Star-C Programs, a sustainable education model with an affordable housing solution, established an Eviction Relief Fund to help qualified low income apartment tenants in need. Star-C raised funds to cover a portion of rental payments on behalf of apartment tenants for up to two months. Tenants will contribute up to fifty-percent of the outstanding rent, and landlords will be asked to waive ten percent of the delinquent rent, plus late fees and other penalties.
Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk arranged for Star-C Programs to be in the courthouse as the Court begins to address its previously scheduled cases. The first test of this unique partnership will begin the week of June 22, 2020 with the Court’s landlord-tenant mediation cases, the goal being to keep some of these cases out of the court system and help both residents and landlords break the eviction cycle. In addition to helping forestall the imminent eviction, Star-C’s Eviction Relief Fund also connects tenants receiving assistance through the program with other resources. This serves as both an educational
component and a way to help tenants find long-term stability.
While noting that the Eviction Relief Fund is an ongoing program – and thus both raising and disbursing funds on a regular basis – the nonprofit is actively seeking to partner with landlords, educators, community organizations and others who can help identify tenants in need, hopefully helping redirect potential eviction scenarios before they reach the court system.
The Magistrate Court of Fulton County is grateful for community partners who help us Inform, Engage,
and Empower our Community
Chief Judge Cassandra Kirk Says No Jail Time For Kids Selling Water, Entrepreneurship Program Instead
To offer an alternative to the arrest of teenagers engaged in selling water on street corners, the Magistrate Court of Fulton County, with the support of the Office of the District Attorney, will offer The Business Plan, a unique program operated by the Atlanta Black Chambers (ABC). This 6-week diversionary program develops business skills, customer service training and strategic business management, as well as offering pro-social and pro-entrepreneurial services to youth aged 17-19. The Court will recommend teens to the ABC which will connect each participant to a structured program.
The Court partners with the Atlanta Black Chambers, a non-profit organization consisting of individuals engaging in Business, Community and Government activities with a mission to serve as an advocate for the creation and growth of competitive, profitable and sustainable Black owned entities. ABC created its program, known as The Business Plan, in the structure below:
1st Week: Mentorship (getting to know the participant)
2nd Week: The Art of Commerce (creative approaches encouraged)
3rd Week: Developing a Business Plan/Model I (any business chosen by the participant)
4th Week: Developing a Business Plan/Model II
5th Week: Customer Service & Customer Retention
6th Week: Business Plan Presentation
Diverted misdemeanor and county ordinance cases must meet the same evidentiary and charging standards as those in which a citation or complaint is filed with the court. Judges will use their discretion to recommend program participants. Successful completion of this program means all conditions of the Diversion Agreement have been met and all pending or prospective charges related to the underlying violation of law will be dismissed.
This program allows the Magistrate Court of Fulton County to continue in its mission to Inform, Engage and Empower Our Community by joining with community partners to target an underlying community concern, while improving long-term community safety, reducing recidivism, and empowering community members to have a voice in the criminal justice system.
On-site Testing Offered by Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk to Fulton County Judges
In preparation for reopening the courthouse, all Fulton County employees were required to be tested, including the Judges. When the majority of the Fulton County-specific slots were filled, Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk partnered with MAJL Diagnostic Laboratories to ensure that all Fulton County judges would have the opportunity to be tested. Testing occurred on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
MAJL Diagnostic Laboratories were brought onsite at the Magistrate Court Administration, 185 Central Avenue SW, T1605, Atlanta, GA, 30303 to provide both nasal swabs and serological testing (antibodies test).
The Magistrate Court of Fulton County continues to Inform, Engage and Empower Our Community, operating swiftly to ensure that all Fulton County Judges experience minimal barriers to the reopening-required testing.
Magistrate Court Transitions to Virtual Court Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
We have all been working a little differently. Since the Statewide Judicial Emergency declared by Chief Justice Harold Melton of the Georgia Supreme Court due the COVID-19 pandemic, Courts have been working to transition to more virtual ways of handling hearings. Working together, our Justice Partners and County Information Technology, we found ways to get critical calendars transitioned to virtual options for the safety of our Judges, Court staff and community members.
Starting this week, Magistrate Court Judges worked in virtual courtrooms for First Appearance at Rice Street, SB440 First Appearance at Metro RYDC and Non-Complex All Purpose, Plea and Arraignment and Trial calendars. In addition to EWI, our judges tested systems (Zoom, GoTo Meeting, Cisco WebEX, and Court Call), conducted virtual interviews and, with State Court Judge Patsy Porter, maintained contact with our Misdemeanor Mental Health Court participants.
Pictured in virtual sessions are Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk, Judge Rashida Oliver, Judge Todd Ashley, Judge Debbie-Ann Rickman and Judge Jeffrey Frazier. A HUGE shout out to Timothy Ezell, Glenn Melendez, Matt Maierhoffer, David Summerlin, and others in the County for making this work. The Magistrate Court of Fulton County will continue to Inform, Engage, Empower Our Community as we assess our operations in light of ongoing developments with the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMC) Success
The Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMC) is a voluntary court program to divert and support eligible misdemeanor citizen-defendants with mental health concerns. MMC is a joint misdemeanor justice project, housed in the Magistrate Court of Fulton County.
Misdemeanor Mental Health Court participants meet specific medical and legal criteria. We accept participants with cases from the jail, identified through First Appearance, as well as those participants after accusation, identified at Plea and Arraignment. Once an assessment determines that an accused person is competent and willing to engage in the process and the current criminal charge is connected to a diagnosed behavioral health concern, the participant is further screened by the team for participation.
The Misdemeanor Mental Health Court strengthens connections between the court system and the 
mental health community. The program encourages safe and supported release of participants from the jail into the community, including assisting with housing and behavioral health treatment prior to release. MMC enhances the interconnection of participants, crime victims and our community. MMC reduces the incarceration and re-arrest of individuals with a mental health diagnosis and increases community confidence in the criminal justice system; therefore improving the overall quality of life for the entire community.
Misdemeanor Mental Health Court program has had seven graduations since it began as a pilot program in July 2018 and boasts an 80% graduation rate for entering participants.
Testimonials:
“Graduation allows a participant’s case to be sealed. This simple action restores our most vulnerable, opening doors of employment and housing once believed lost.” – Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk
“Incredible program! Mental Health is key to sustaining successful communities… This program deserves to be expanded broadly.” – Attorney Joshua Schiffer
“Misdemeanor Mental Health Court is truly the light at the end of the tunnel for the participants, their families and our community. Where there has been darkness and little if any hope for supportive services, this Court has helped to fill that void.” – State Court Judge Patsy Y. Porter
The permanent 12 month program will be divided into 4 phases, based on individual participant needs and criminogenic risks.
Magistrate Court of Fulton County Opens their Doors to Community Members for Private Wedding Ceremonies
The Magistrate Court of Fulton County started offering free private wedding ceremonies to members of the community. With the leadership of Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk, we have designed a room exclusively devoted to wedding ceremonies. We opened the doors to community members in the beginning of November, 2019 and have completed over 50 free private ceremonies since. The Magistrate Court of Fulton County is happy to be able to offer this service as one of the many ways we are trying to give back and Inform, Engage and Empower Our Community.
With the success of supplementing the Friday weddings offered by Probate Court and to provide a free wedding option during the week, the Magistrate Court of Fulton County has opened its doors to provide a private wedding ceremony for community members on Friday, February 14, 2020, otherwise known as Valentine’s Day.
Click here for WAOK’s write-up and interview with Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk on the Magistrate Court’s special Valentine’s event.
CBD Discussion
Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk partnered with Georgia State Senator Donzella James to educate the community on the new laws on CBD and to explore the possibility of CBD as a resource for people dealing with mental health and addiction.
Speakers Dr. Rebecca Fasano, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Emory University School of Medicine, and Deborah Smith-Torrence, Founder of Auspicious Wellness, discussed the research, benefits and drawbacks of using CBD. Community members and Judges were given an opportunity for an open discussion at the Romae T. Powell Juvenile Justice Center.
Statewide Judicial Training on Gangs with GBI
Since the Georgia General Assembly declared, “the State of Georgia is in a state of crisis which has been caused by violent criminal street gangs whose members threaten, terrorize, and commit a multitude of crimes against the peaceful citizens of their neighborhoods...” O.C.G.A. § 16-15-2 the Magistrate Court of Fulton County and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation co-hosted a state-wide training on Georgia’s gang laws. Magistrate Judges across the state of Georgia and those in other classes of courts joined us for this opportunity.
GBI Director Vic Reynolds and Fulton County Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk recognized the vital importance of Georgia’s Magistrate Judges increased familiarity with Georgia’s gang laws. These judges routinely consider such issues in determining search and arrest warrants, as well as presiding over first appearance. The event was held at GBI Headquarters in Decatur, GA.
Legal Clinics with Hosea Helps
The Magistrate Court of Fulton County partnered with Hosea Helps, a non-profit for the homeless community in Atlanta, to provide free Legal Clinics to those in need during their annual Thanksgiving, Christmas and MLK Day dinners. With the help of volunteer attorneys from the metro-Atlanta area, the Magistrate Court of Fulton County offered three successful Legal Clinics. Bringing the Court’s mission to, "Inform, Engage, Empower Our Community" into everyday life. These clinics provided valuable legal services in the areas of civil, criminal, records restrictions, landlord-tenant, family law, juvenile law, veteran service and social security. We are thankful for the local attorneys who participated: Richard Norwood, Josh Schiffer, Tiffini Bell, Samantha Holloway, Jennifer Neal-Jones, Hunter Rodgers, Alan Begner, Noah Pines, Michael Hudson, Savannah Potter-Miller and community members.
Participant Judges included Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk, along with Magistrate Judges Todd Ashley, Kimberly Charles, and Chevelle Douglas.
Bike Drive
The Magistrate Court of Fulton County partnered with The Music Education Group, Inc. (MEG), Entercom Atlanta and Walmart for its sixth Annual Christmas Toy and Bike Drive to provide kids with toys and bikes for the holidays as a way to give back to the community. Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk helped organize volunteers to have the bikes and toys loaded onto vehicles at the Cascade Walmart to be distributed to children.
Coat and Blanket Drive 
Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk on behalf of the Magistrate Court of Fulton County partnered with WAOK radio and City of Atlanta City Council President, Felicia Moore to gather coats and blankets at Beulah Heights University. Within a few hours, over 10,000 garments were collected for families during this winter. Many of the coats and blankets were distributed that evening as the temperatures dipped into the 40’s. Deputy Chief Judge Lillian Caudle and Judge Vera Starks also joined in on the Courts efforts.