Left – Porsha Winfrey, award winner. Right – Judge Kimberly A. Childs, presenter (photo courtesy of Cobb County)

Porsha Winfrey, the coordinator of Cobb County’s Drug Treatment Court, received the Babe Atkins-Byrne Excellence in Legal Administration Award from the Cobb County Bar Association.

The Drug Treatment Court is one of Cobb’s Accountability Courts, which provide an alternative to incarceration for individuals whose legal troubles are best handled by counseling and treatment, rather than more punitive measures.

According to the press release from Cobb County, “This award recognizes an individual, non-attorney, working in the judicial system or practice of law who, with their honor, courage, and/or devotion has enhanced the administration of justice and the advancement of the Rule of Law and the Constitution.”

Cobb Superior Court Judge Kimberly A. Childs presented the award, and outlined Winfrey’s accomplishments since taking the position in May of 2021.

According to the press release:

Every year, the Cobb County Bar Association observes Law Day to honor the vital role of the rule of law in the United States. As part of the celebration, the Association highlights exceptional members and community individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication and service beyond expectations.

“Porsha works hard and exhibits a drive and passion that is noticed by everyone around her. Under her leadership, the program has been renewed and streamlined, making it one of the top-recognized treatment courts in the country,” Cobb Accountability Courts Director Jennifer Tillery said, quoted in the press release. “I am very proud of her!”

Superior Court Judge Jason D. Marbutt, who presides over the Cobb Drug Treatment Court, said, “Porsha is one of those people who make others around her better. They are better because of her support. They are better because of the example she sets. Her service is invaluable.”

About the Accountability Courts

Materials distributed by Cobb County Superior Court describe Cobb’s four accountability courts as follows:

“Cobb Superior Court has four such courts: Drug Treatment Court, which includes both regular and intermediate tracks; Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court; Mental Health Court; and Parental Accountability Court. Various county and state offices collaborate with the judges and staff in operating individual accountability courts.”

The purpose of the accountability court program is to provide an alternative to incarceration for individuals who need counseling and treatment rather than punishment.

Drug Treatment Court

The website for the Drug Treat Court describes the program and its two tracks as follows:

“Drug Treatment Court is an accountability court designed to manage individuals with substance addiction by providing an alternative to the traditional justice system.  

“The Court Is designed to improve the health of our participants, not only by addressing the immediate symptoms of their addiction but also orienting participants to a new way of healthier living which can be continued for the rest of their life.

“The Cobb County Drug Treatment Court offers two programs.  

“The regular track is an 18- to 24-month program, dealing with high-risk, high-need participants. 

“The Intermediate track is a 12- to 18-month program for participants diagnosed with a mild to moderate substance use disorder and deemed a lower risk of re-offending. A risk-needs-responsivity assessment is completed to determine participant placement.”

Mental Health Court

The website for the Mental Health Court describes that court and its mission as follows:

“Mental Health Court is a 24 month minimum, voluntary, pre or post-plea, judicially supervised, treatment-based program for those individuals with a documented mental health diagnosis.

“The Cobb County Mental Health Court strives to improve mental health, promote self sufficiency, reduce recidivism, and offer cost effective alternatives to incarceration and hospitalization. 

“A Mental Health Court represents an effort to increase effective cooperation between two systems that have traditionally not worked closely together – The Mental Health System and The Criminal Justice System. 

“The program will hold participants accountable while assisting them in achieving long term stability, becoming successful family/community members, and remain law abiding citizens.”

Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court

The Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court website describes that court as follows:

“Cobb County Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court (VATC) seeks to divert eligible veteran defendants with substance dependency and/or mental illness that are charged with criminal offenses, to a specialized criminal court. 

“The court substitutes a treatment problem solving model for traditional court processing.

“The veterans voluntarily participate in a judicially supervised treatment plan that a team of court staff, veteran health care professionals, veteran peer mentors, and health care professionals develop with the veteran. 

“At regular status hearings, treatment plans and other conditions are periodically reviewed for appropriateness, incentives are offered to reward adherence to court conditions, and sanctions for non-adherence are handed down.”

Parental Accountability Court

The website for the Parental Accountability Court describes its purpose as follows:

“PAC seeks to address underlying issues that make it difficult for non-custodial parents to pay child support while providing judges with an alternative to incarceration in civil contempt cases.

“The program uses a team approach to meet participants’ needs as they become more accountable for supporting their children.  

“Members of the Parental Accountability Court Team include the Judge, Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG), Parental Accountability Court Coordinator (PAC-C) from the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Child Support Services (DCSS), DCSS local Office Manager, and representative(s) from the Cobb County Community Services Board (CSB).”

For more detailed information about the accountability courts visit this link to the Superior Court’s Accountability Court website and explore the specific programs you are interested in learning about.