Houston County District Attorney releases 2023 year-end report
"I publish this yearly release, as an advocate of transparency and believe that those we serve should know how their tax dollars are spent on protecting and seeking justice for the citizens of this county."
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –On Monday, the Houston County District Attorney’s Office released it year-end report for 2023.
The numbers include statistics dating back before COVID-19 for comparison.
Case Closures by Year:
2018: 2796
2019: 3057
2020: 2296
2021: 2235
2022: 4002 (Increased trial weeks to compensate for court closures brough on by COVID-19)
2023: 4051
Total Documented Victim Contacts Made:
2018: 22,345
2019: 26,786
2020: 32,463
2021: 29,758
2022: 32,610
2023: 41,935
Warrants Received from Law Enforcement:
2021: 9,723
2022: 12,401
2023: 12,222
Number of Charges Accused/Indicted (Number of Individual Counts/Charges): 9,773
“This release contains metrics and a few highlights from 2023, and is not meant to be all inclusive. What is contained in this release only reflects a small part of what amounts to a massive, coordinated effort with local law enforcement, members of the courthouse staff, and local bar, to effectively serve as good public servants to the people of Houston County,” said Houston County District Attorney William Kendall. “I publish this yearly release, as an advocate of transparency and believe that those we serve should know how their tax dollars are spent on protecting and seeking justice for the citizens of this county.”
District Attorney Kendall says his office has also been successful outside the courtroom, as it continued the Gang Task Force initiative to address the Fentanyl problem in the community. The report states the initiative has taken enough Fentanyl off the streets to effectively kill more than 280,000 people (based on the DEA lethal dose calculation), reducing the overdoses in Houston County.
There was also a major decline in Homicide cases in 2023. The DA’s Office says it received eight homicide cases, approximately half of the 2022 number.
Kendall says the successes of 2023 are evidence of outstanding law enforcement, prosecutors, support staff, victim advocates and court staff who work in Houston County to make it a better place.
“Going into 2024, we will continue to serve the citizens of Houston County as accessible public servants, continue to face issues proactively, strengthen relationships, and continue to look at how we can better serve our community and seek justice for victims of crime,” said DA Kendall. “Overall, we stand ready and our mission does not change: We will serve as a beacon of hope to victims in a time of need, serve our citizens as accessible professional public servants, and act as a deterrent to those who do harm to others.”
