Chattooga County Superior Court has handled 379 felony cases during four weeks of criminal court proceedings, according to an update released by Superior Court Judge Melissa Gifford-Hise. The report also outlines improvements to courthouse security and repairs to several areas of the Chattooga County Courthouse.

According to the report, the criminal court proceedings included 14 trials, 175 guilty pleas and 56 dismissals. Another 72 cases were continued until the next court term.

Additionally, 32 cases were listed in bench warrant status after defendants failed to appear in court, while 19 were placed on the dead docket because defendants had failed to appear for more than two court terms. Other cases involved pretrial diversion, transfers to State Court and a bench trial.

Judge Hise also reported that 47 of the felony cases involved defendants already serving sentences in Georgia prisons. The District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and Judge Hise have worked together to resolve those cases without requiring the defendants to be transported back to Chattooga County for trial. Fifteen of those cases have been disposed of so far this year.

Chattooga County is part of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, which includes Chattooga, Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties. The circuit operates on two six-month court terms each year, beginning in February and August. The current term will conclude in February 2027.

On the civil side, Chattooga County Superior Court began 2026 with 31 cases on its trial docket. Two cases went to trial, 13 were dismissed and three were settled before trial. Another 12 were continued because of pending motions, mediation or the need for additional evidence gathering. One case was removed from the trial calendar for resolution without a jury.

A new civil case management system also took effect January 1, assigning judges to civil matters to improve case preparation and processing.

The report also highlighted improvements at the Chattooga County Courthouse in Summerville. State funding through the Seventh Judicial Administrative District provided new metal detectors for both the main courthouse and courthouse annex. New chairs were also purchased for attorneys in the main courtroom, along with a table and chairs for a first-floor conference area.

County workers have also completed repairs to the former probation office, where leaking windows had caused plaster damage and mold and mildew problems. Two second-floor bathrooms serving jury rooms have reopened following repairs to leaks around toilets and windows.

According to the report, county employees completed the courthouse repairs at minimal cost.