Cherokee to assist Canton, Ball Ground with court hearings

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has approved agreements with Canton and Ball Ground to have the county Magistrate Court assist municipal courts with first-appearance bond hearings on criminal matters.

The service, provided on an add-needed basis, acknowledges that the cities employ part-time judges, and it can be difficult for them to schedule first appearance hearings in a timely manner, according to a staff report to commissioners. The Magistrate Court can more easily schedule the hearings because its full-time judges conduct them regularly.

First appearance hearings would be provided at the discretion of the chief magistrate judge, and the cities would not be charged for the service, staff said. County commissioners previously approved similar agreements with Holly Springs and Woodstock.