Solicitor-General, State Court

Purpose

The Solicitor General represents the people of Douglas County and the State of Georgia as the Court’s prosecuting attorney and handles all misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses committed in Douglas County. 

Mission & Goal

The mission of the Solicitor General’s Office, under the leadership of Sonya Compton, is to balance the representation of the State by delivering swift and efficient justice with fairness and impartially. The goal of the Solicitor General’s office is to ensure the public’s safety, the defendant’s accountability, advocate for crime victims and offer support and assistance throughout the Court process. The duty of the Solicitor General is to investigate, charge, and prosecute misdemeanor and traffic violations of that occur in Douglas County.

Traffic Court

The Office of the Solicitor General prosecutes all traffic violations occurring in Douglas County. Many fines for traffic citations may be paid before the arraignment date shown on the citation. If a ticket recipient wishes to pay their fine before the scheduled Court date, they may do so in person at the Clerk of State Court’s office, located in the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office or online at Icon Pay Your Tix or to pay by phone, call us at 866-339-0646 or locally at 678-730-1331

In some situations, traffic recipients must appear before the Judge, as follows:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI)
• Driving with a suspended license
• Driving without insurance
• Speeding violations more than 24 miles per hour over the limit if the ticket recipient is under the age of 21
• Speeding violations well in excess of the posted speed limit (100 miles per hour or more)

Assigned Court dates are rescheduled only under extreme circumstances, such as the death or hospitalization of an immediate family member. If there is a possibility that a scheduled Court date will be missed, the Clerk of State Court and/or Solicitor General’s Office must be contacted as far in advance of the Court date as possible. If the Court date is missed, a Bench Warrant will be issued for arrest.

Victim & Witness Services - Melissa Leblond, Director 

"No one expects to be a victim of crime, but it does happen!" The Victim’s Witness Program of the Solicitor General’s Office was established to offer crime victims and witnesses emotional support during the aftermath of crime and guidance through the maze of the criminal justice system. 

Provided Services: 

• Assistance in completing your Victim Impact Statement and/or any additional forms needed
• Information about the status of your Court case
• Notice of all Court proceedings; explanation and information about the criminal justice system and proceedings
• Orientation to the courtroom setting and the people involved; escort to and from the Courtroom during proceedings as well as moral support
• Private waiting area prior to and during your Court appearance
• Referral to social service agencies, counselors and others who can assist you
  • Referrals to service agencies such as: 
    • The Domestic Violence Task Force and Sexual Assault Center: 678-715-1196
    • Georgia Legal Services: 404-206-5175
    • The SHARE House: 770-949-0626

Crime Victim Bill of Rights

the right to notification of each stage in the judicial process to include pretrial hearings, bond hearings, arraignment, motion hearings, pleas of guilty, trial, sentencing, appeals; the right to give opinions on release from custody or on bond issues; the right to a private waiting area during any related Court proceedings; The right to offer input on plea negotiations or sentence hearings and conditions; the right to receive compensation and/or restitution when eligible; and the right to protection from intimidation or harm. We are here to provide the support that you need.

Misdemeanors

The Office of the Solicitor General prosecutes misdemeanor cases and violations of the county code in State Court, such as Simple and Family Violence Battery, Simple Assault, Stalking, Driving Under the Influence, Shoplifting, Abandonment of Minor Child, Animal Cruelty and Criminal Trespass. Conducts bench trials, jury trials, and hearings in state court and represents the State in appellate matters. Negotiates pleas and may refer eligible cases to Pretrial Diversion Programs, in lieu of a criminal conviction. May recommend sentences of up to twelve months in jail, and up to $1,000 in fines and probation. ($5,000 for High and Aggravated Misdemeanors)

Community

The Solicitor’s Outreach Program (SOP) was created in 2019 to assist citizens that are in need in our community. Through this program we provided Christmas gifts to adults who transition from the Share House to their own home, adults in the Kinship program, and families recommended by Juvenile drug court program.