- Reside within the Atlanta-Metropolitan area
- Arrested on eligible misdemeanor or felony charges
- Pass a criminal background check
- Volunteer to participate in the program
Pretrial Services Intake Unit will complete a Public Defender Indigence Application for all felony defendants booked into the Fulton County Jail. Each defendant is interviewed and assessed to determine if they meet the financial eligibility criteria established by the Public Defender's office.
The Intake Unit screen newly arrested misdemeanor and felony defendants to identify mentally impaired offenders who may be eligible to be diverted to the Mental Health Court. Each defendant is asked a series of questions relevant to their mental health status. Defendants that meet the established criteria are referred to the Mental Health Court staff for further evaluation and placement.
Pretrial Services screen all felony defendants to determine if they meet the criteria for a Drug Court referral. Defendants are asked a series of questions relevant to their drug usage. Defendants that meet the established criteria are referred to the Drug Court staff for further evaluation.