Court jurisdiction on interstate still a hot topic in Woodstock – The Cherokee Ledger-News: Top Stories

Discussions on asking the local delegation to introduce a piece of legislation that would authorize Municipal Court jurisdiction on Interstate 575 are expected to carry on, as Woodstock City Council members continue to debate the issue.

The portion of I-575 the city is seeking Municipal Court jurisdiction over extends from the Cherokee County/Cobb County line to the northernmost city limits of Woodstock. This stretch of highway was annexed into the city in April 2011 following the passage of House Bill 590. The bill, however, came with a stipulation that the State and Superior Courts of Cherokee County, which are located in Canton, were given court jurisdiction over the property.

This restriction, city officials said, consumes taxpayers dollars that cannot be recouped, as Woodstock Police officers must travel to Canton to adjudicate citations written on the interstate — an extra cost of about $24,000 every year.

 

The resolution currently being considered by the mayor and council asks the Georgia General Assembly to reconsider the Municipal Court restriction, citing that other cities that border I-575, such as Ball Ground, Canton and Holly Springs, have Municipal Court jurisdiction over their annexations on the interstate.

via Court jurisdiction on interstate still a hot topic in Woodstock – The Cherokee Ledger-News: Top Stories.