Parental Accountable Court reaches $1M in collections

Write Up Provided by Ms. Jessi Emmett, Director of the NEJC’s Treatment Services Department. Pictures provided by NEJC

The Northeastern Judicial Circuit is proud to announce that under the direction of Superior Court Judge Bonnie Chessher Oliver, the circuit’s Parental Accountability Court becomes the first in the State of Georgia to collect over $1 million in child support cases.

Superior Court Judge Bonnie Chessher Oliver was recently recognized by the Division of Child Support Services as the first Parental Accountability Court in the State to collect over $1 million in child support cases.

This is a tremendous milestone and comes as we mark the 10th anniversary of Parental Accountability Court (PAC) in Hall County. Parental Accountability Courts serve non-custodial parents facing contempt action for failure to pay child support and those in need of additional services and accountability to overcome barriers to supporting their children.

Judge Oliver founded PAC for Hall and Dawson Counties in 2011 and has seen tremendous growth in the program since inception. Currently serving approximately 35 individuals, Judge Oliver’s program collected over $400,000 in child support payments with a 91% participant retention rate in 2020.

In March, Judge Oliver was formally recognized for her commitment to providing assistance to non-custodial parents to ensure they meet their financial obligations to their children. Without the efforts of Parental Accountability Court, these funds might never have been collected and the cycle of continued incarceration resulting in barriers to provide consistent financial support would continue.

Judge Oliver’s continued commitment and dedication serves as a model to other Parental Accountability Court programs across the State.