Peach Tree Times

Gov. Brian P. Kemp plans to use up to $110 million funds to help the state courts from the slowdown they have fallen into after the pandemic, according to Fox 5.

"No one benefits when there is a delay in justice. I was proud to dedicate up to $110 million to combat violent crime and help support the Georgia judiciary's recovery from COVID-19," Kemp said in a news release.

According to The Albany Herald, Kemp said his administration worked with judicial and law enforcement leaders to find innovative solutions to violent crime in high-need areas, make sure courts operate efficiently and help to quickly reduce case backlogs.

"Keeping Georgia communities safe is my top priority, and we look forward to the positive impact this will have on our justice system," the governor said.

According to Fox 5, state Supreme Court Chief Justice David Nahmias said in a release, "Most of our state's government agencies and businesses slowed down or stopped during the COVID pandemic. The meals that restaurants did not serve will never be served, and the airline flights that were canceled have not been rescheduled. But the court cases that could not be decided, particularly when jury trials could not be held safely, remain pending and must be resolved, along with all of the new cases being filed."

Money will come from the $4.8 billion funds given to the state by the American Rescue Plan Act to address negative economic impacts caused by COVID-19, Fox 5 reported. The statewide judicial emergency that went from March 2020 through June 2021 limited court operations and caused a significant backlog of both criminal and civil cases, according to Fox 5.

The new funds will allow eligible courts and related agencies to hire staff and secure temporary workspace and courtroom facilities to address the cases backlog, Fox 5 reported.