Bibb County Prosecutor Recognized
Thursday, April 24, 2008
On March 21, 2008 , Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) held its 4th annual statewide law enforcement recognition banquet in Macon, Georgia. Cindy Adams, Chief Assistant Solicitor-General of the State Court of Bibb County received the Jerry Thompson Law Enforcement Partnership Award.
Upon receiving the award, Ms. Adams responded by saying, "I am particularly honored to be the recipient of this award because the nomination for it came from the law enforcement officers I work with on a daily basis. The fact that they recognize and respect the kind of work I do and the efforts I put forth in the prosecution of the cases they bring is very humbling for me. I am proud they think of me as a true partner."
According to Kelly Carlson of MADD Georgia in a letter seeking nominations for the award, the Jerry Thompson Law Enforcement Partnership Award is presented to a Georgia prosecuting attorney who has demonstrated excellence in implementing innovative techniques in assisting law enforcement with the prosecution of DUI. The recipient is an attorney who has a passion for traffic safety and has proven to be courageous in the prosecution of DUI. This may include work in training officers on case law and/or best practice DUI detection and arrest procedures.
Adams has been a prosecutor in the Middle Georgia area since 1990. She began her career as an Assistant Solicitor in Houston County where she served with distinction for three different Solicitors. She was then hired as the Chief Assistant of Bibb County in 1998 by Bibb County Solicitor-General Otis Scarbary.
"I am very fortunate to have such a highly experienced and respected career prosecutor serving as my chief assistant," said Scarbary. "She is a credit, not only to our community, but to all of Georgia for her efforts in helping to remove impaired drivers from our roadways," he continued.
Adams was nominated for the recognition by Sergeant Lee Major, the Georgia State Patrol POST Commander in Forsyth.
"During her 18 years of service as a prosecutor, Ms. Adams has successfully handled thousands of misdemeanor offenses but has primarily earned a solid reputation as a prosecutor of traffic violators, particularly defendants charged with DUI and other serious offenses," said Sgt. Major in his nomination letter. "Last calendar year the Bibb County Solicitor-General's Office disposed of 530 DUI cases with over a 92% success rate largely due to Cindy's efforts. Her reputation for never backing down to any DUI defense lawyer is well known as is her successful trial and appellate experience," stated Sgt. Major.
"She has gained respect within the local law enforcement community including the Georgia State Patrol, Bibb County Sheriff's Department, Macon Police Department, Mercer University Police, and Houston County Sheriff's Department, continued Sgt. Major. "Many officers from these agencies regularly seek her advice and counsel on issues relating to DUI cases and she has been involved with training officers in local training sessions. She has also taught various courses at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Cindy is a POST-certified trainer and has spent hundreds of hours training officers to be better in the field and in the courtroom."
Sgt. Major's nomination letter also cited Adams' reputation in the legal community.
"Cindy has served as an instructor at the Basic Litigation Course sponsored by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia . She has also contributed to continuing legal education programs sponsored by PAC and other agencies. She was recognized by the Georgia Association of Solicitors-General as the 2002 Assistant Solicitor-General of the Year."
Adams also served the State Bar of Georgia as a member of the Moral Fitness Board for ten years and has served that board as chairperson.
Sgt. Major concluded his nomination letter, "Cindy Adams is a dedicated public servant and a real champion when it comes to the prosecution of DUI and other serious traffic offenses. There is no substitute for her skill, knowledge and experience in this area. She is more than doing her part to make the roads and highways of this state safe for all who travel upon them."
Ms. Adams offered these final words, "I am also proud of and make no bones about the hard-line approach I take on the DUI cases I prosecute, and I am very grateful that my boss, Solicitor-General Otis Scarbary, has always backed me 100 percent in that endeavor. There is no excuse for impaired driving and it can make any of us victims at any time. I wholeheartedly salute MADD and the efforts they make in educating young people in particular about the dangers of such behavior and for their continued support of the law enforcement officers and prosecutors who work in this area."
