Judge Hise Releases Update on Chattooga County Superior Court Cases, Courthouse Improvements

Chattooga County is part of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, which has two six-month trial terms each year, one beginning in February and the other in August. Each term includes one week of civil jury trials, two weeks of criminal jury trials and non-jury days.

During four weeks of criminal trial term activity, 379 felony cases were handled in some manner. There were 14 trials, 175 guilty pleas, 56 dismissals and 72 cases continued until the next term. Another 32 cases were in bench warrant status due to failure to appear, while 19 were placed on the dead docket because defendants had failed to appear for more than two terms. The remaining cases included six pretrial diversions, four transfers to State Court and one bench trial.

Of the cases, 47 involved defendants currently serving sentences with the Department of Corrections. The District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and Judge Hise coordinated to resolve these cases without bringing the defendants back for trial. Fifteen of those cases have been disposed of so far this year.

The current term will not conclude until February 2027.

The civil trial docket began 2026 with 31 cases. Two went to trial, 13 were dismissed, three settled before trial and one was removed from the calendar for non-jury resolution. Twelve cases were continued due to dispositive motions, mediation or the need for additional discovery.

A civil case management order signed in November 2025 took effect Jan. 1, 2026. The order assigns judges to civil matters, with exceptions for certain matters such as temporary protective orders and child support. The process helps with case preparation and processing, although scheduling among four judges serving four counties remains challenging.

State funding through the Seventh Judicial Administrative District provided new metal detectors for the main courthouse and annex, new counsel chairs in the main courtroom, and a table and chairs for a conference area on the first floor.

Courthouse repairs have also been completed. The former probation office, located in an outside office area, was repaired after plaster damage caused by leaking windows and mold and mildew issues. Two bathrooms serving the jury rooms on the second floor have also reopened following repairs to leaks around toilets and windows. County workers completed the repairs at minimal cost.