It is important to note that the following dashboards represents decisions made in a specific year; however, because investigations take time, these cases may not have been received in the same calendar year the decisions were made. Each person charged is considered a single case. In other words, an incident in which four people are charged, dismissed, diverted, or transferred will count as four separate cases.

CASE/CHARGING DECISIONS BY YEAR

Please note that the 2023 data reflects higher dismissals because, after resuming normal in‑person courthouse operations following the COVID-19 pandemic, the DA's Office and the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court updated case records to reflect closures that actually occurred in prior years.

CASES FILED

After completing independent investigations, the DA's Office files charges in the majority of the cases received. 

CASES FILED BY OFFENSE

This chart contains additional data to the right. To view additional offense groups data, drag the bar across the bottom of the chart.

In many cases, an accused is arrested on multiple criminal charges. In these charts, each case is categorized by the highest-level felony offense, regardless of any other charges filed in that case.  For example, a case where an individual is accused of Felony Murder (Homicide), Aggravated Assault (Assault and Battery), and Possession of a Firearm or Knife During the Commission of a Felony (Weapons) would fall under the Homicide section.

CASES FILED BY UNIT

The Trial Division handles a broad range of offenses, including the most commonly committed crimes (such as Theft, Drugs, and Weapons). The other units in the DA's Office specialize in particular fields, such as Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault, Child Crimes Unit, Crimes Against Elder Persons and Adults with Disabilities, and so forth. As a result, the Trial Division files the majority of felony cases in the DeKalb County Superior Court.

CATEGORIES OF INTEREST

These charts categorize crimes by the highest-level offense and are intended to provide additional context for cases that involve categories of public interest, even though they may not be the highest-level offense in the case. The boxes on the left allow you to filter cases filed that included charges related to Gangs, Domestic Violence, Weapons, and/or Drugs. To view additional offense groups data, drag the bar across the bottom of the chart.

Gang-Related: For a case to be considered gang-related, there must be at least one charge referencing the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. Not all cases with gang activity are accounted for; only those where gang involvement can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt based on admissible evidence and where prosecutors determine the charge strengthens the case. 

Domestic Violence-Related: For a case to be considered domestic violence-related, there must be at least one charge referencing family violence. Statutorily, Family Violence charges are committed between “household members,” which includes past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and foster children, or other persons living or formerly living in the same household. Not all cases involving domestic violence are accounted for; only those where domestic violence can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt based on admissible evidence and where prosecutors determine the charge strengthens the case.  

Weapon-Related: For a case to be considered weapon-related, there must be at least one charge involving possession and/or use of a firearm or knife. Not all cases involving weapons are accounted for; only those where weapons possession and/or use can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt based on admissible evidence and where prosecutors determine the charge strengthens the case.  

Drug-Related: For a case to be considered drug-related, there must be at least one charge involving drug trafficking, possession, and/or distribution. Not all cases involving drugs are accounted for; only those where drug involvement can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt based on admissible evidence and where prosecutors determine the charge strengthens the case.  

For a full list of the charges in each highlighted offense group, please visit the Data Glossary.

CASES FILED BY DIVISION

All criminal cases are formally assigned to 1 of the 10 divisions of DeKalb County Superior Court (DeKalb Judicial Circuit) at the time the accusation or indictment is filed. This is a random selection process governed by the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court and the Office of Court Administration. 

Please note that every two years one Superior Court Judge is selected to serve as Chief Judge.  During his or her term, the Chief Judge is assigned fewer cases to allow time for administrative duties. In 2023 and 2024, the Honorable LaTisha Dear Jackson served as Chief Judge. In 2025 and 2026, the role was filled by the Honorable Shondeana C. Morris.