Welcome to The Sheriff's Office site!


   

The Georgia Constitution mandates that each county has a sheriff, and legislation designates the sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer in the county. In most counties with a sheriff and a county police department, the sheriff voluntarily relinquishes the general law enforcement responsibilities to the county police department, although he cannot be forced to do so. The sheriff retains the authority to intervene in any law enforcement effort within the county when he felt compelled to do so. This includes actions initiated by deputies of this agency who have witnessed a violation of law or in the absence of a county police officer.

1. As a Law Enforcement Officer: The sheriff has the responsibility of protecting life and property and for preservation of the public peace. This includes all law enforcement functions associated with those endeavors.

2. As an Officer of the Court: In addition to providing physical security in the courtrooms and courthouse, the sheriff must serve as bailiff to the superior court or designate deputies to serve in that capacity. Bailiff duties include escorting juries to the courtroom, and if requested to do so, to their meals and hotel rooms. Bailiffs otherwise attend to the needs of the jury and guard them against outside influences. The sheriff is charged with serving all court summons, including subpoenas and civil process papers. In addition, the sheriff must execute all court-ordered levies on property to satisfy judgments- in court actions. The sheriff is also responsible for the transportation of mentally ill residents of his county to mental health emergency receiving facilities.

3. As a Detention Officer: The sheriff is the official jailer of the county and is responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of all inmates. The courts have established strict guidelines that the sheriff must follow in providing these things to his inmates. The sheriff is also responsible for preventing the escape of inmates from the jail.


Ready to Respond

Technology on Display

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office has an array of high-tech tools and highly trained personnel ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.

 

 

 
Remembering The Fallen

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office participated in the Fulton County Public Safety Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.  The agency coordinates the annual remembrance ceremony with the Fulton County Fire Rescue Department, Fulton County Marshal’s Department, and the Fulton County Police Department.  The service was held for the fourth year in a row at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church which is across the street from the Courthouse.  The historic venue is a perfect backdrop for this solemn service to pay tribute to deputies, firefighters, and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the citizens of Fulton County.  

There have been eight line-of-duty deaths of law enforcement officers from the Sheriff’s Office dating as far back as 1921 including those from law enforcement agencies absorbed by what is know now as the modern day Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.  According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, there have been 19,660 officers killed in the line of duty in the United States since the first recorded incident in 1791.

In his remarks, Sheriff Ted Jackson stressed that society “must find innovative ways to reduce attacks on law enforcement officers.  The shooters are getting younger and younger.”  Sheriff Jackson went on to share the F.C.S.O. Community Outreach efforts  through the agency’s Youth Intervention Program to turn around troubled youths.  

Sheriff Ted Jackson (right) poses for a photograph with the other public safety department executives and chaplains:  Marshal Antonio Johnson, Police Chief Cassandra Jones, Fire Chief Larry Few, (2nd row), Chaplain Calvin Watkins, Chaplain Warren Henry, Chaplain Gregory Sutton, and Chaplain Clifton Dawkins.

Sheriff Jackson Establishes Citizens Academy

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has welcomed the inaugural class of the Citizens Academy. Sheriff Ted Jackson and the deputies in the Community Outreach Section have set up a course outline for the 6-week academy that will allow participants to closely observe various aspects of the agency and the justice system.  Classes will focus on CPR, courthouse security, Georgia law, self defense, sheriff’s office administration and budget, and other topics.  The participants will also take an extensive tour of the Fulton County Jail.

The first Citizens Academy class consists of professionals and concerned citizens from various neighborhoods in Fulton County.  The Academy will give participants an in depth look at the day-to-day operations of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office while providing them with unique insight pertaining to the operations of the agency.  Attendees will also gain a better understanding of the functions of a sheriff and a sheriff’s office versus the duties of a police chief and a police department.  

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy receives information about a security checkpoint at the Justice Center Complex.

Sheriff Supports Fulton Superior Court Effort to Make Jurors More Responsive

Program begins with Jury Summons Amnesty Month in May

 

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and the Superior Court of Fulton County remind citizens that Jury Summons Amnesty Month began May 1.  During the month of May, any resident who received a jury summons from the Superior Court of Fulton County but has not responded can come to the Court and complete an Amnesty Affidavit to serve a future date without any consequences or penalties.  Jury Summons Amnesty Month is part of a new Failure to Appear Initiative designed to make citizens more responsive to juror summonses while educating them on the importance of jury duty notices.  Judges are encouraging citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to reschedule their jury duty without penalty.

 

The Amnesty Affidavit that allows citizens to reschedule their service during the month of May will be available on the Superior Court of Fulton County (http://home.fultoncourt.org/, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (http://www.fultonsheriff.org/), and the Fulton County Government (www.fultoncountyga.gov). Citizens are required to appear in person and submit the original, signed affidavit to be notarized. Copies of affidavits will not be accepted.  

 

After the amnesty period ends on May 31, residents who have received and disregarded their jury summons will be served with a Show Cause Hearing notice. Fulton County sheriff’s deputies will begin serving the Show Cause Hearing notices in June.  Citizens found to be in willful contempt face fines up to $500 and/or up to 20 days of incarceration. Residents who are served a Show Cause Hearing notice and disregard it may be subject to arrest.

 

Residents who possess legal reasons excusing them from jury duty must submit a signed excusal or deferral affidavit to the Court during the Amnesty Period.  Residents who fail to comply with these procedures may be served Show Cause Hearing notices and required to appear for a hearing to determine whether they are in willful contempt.  These affidavits are available on the website of the Superior Court of Fulton County (http://home.fultoncourt.org/).