Banks County's Probate Court is now one of several counties in Georgia that is requiring those convicted of driving under the influence or reckless conduct to purchase car seats to be provided to those in need in the county.
Probate Court Judge Cameron Boswell, who was sworn into office at the start of the year, said he heard about the idea during annual judicial training. The program is already in place in Walton and Newton counties.
"After taking office, I spoke with our solicitor and the idea was pitched," Boswell said. "We work with our local sheriff's office, who already has a child seat program...we just made it as part of the sentencing guidelines on anything for DUI or reckless driving."
Boswell said under the program, which took effect on Monday, those convicted of DUI or reckless driving will, in addition to other fines or penalties, have to purchase and deliver to the court an approved car seat, which will be given to the sheriff's office to be distributed to those in need.
The county has released a list of approved car seats, costing between $260 and $280 dollars on average:
- Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible
- Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Convertible
- Graco SnugRide 35 LX Infant Car Seat (offender must purchase two)
Boswell said the offender is required to purchase the seats at a store and physically deliver them to Banks County Probate Court. He said the car seats are already being required in some new sentencings.
"We had a traffic court date (Wednesday) and there were two (sentences) that were put out for today," Boswell said. "We have not received (the car seats) as of yet, but they were two that were on the sentencing guidelines."
A statement on the new program issued Wednesday by the Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed voiced support for the new program.
"Ensuring the safety of children is something we take very seriously in Banks County. This new initiative not only helps to address a critical need for child safety seats but also emphasizes personal responsibility," Speed said.
