FORT PAYNE — The Office of District Attorney Summer Summerford has released new statistics highlighting criminal and traffic case activity across the Ninth Judicial Circuit, while emphasizing that rising case numbers do not necessarily indicate an increase in crime.

According to figures compiled from the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk and Cherokee County Circuit Clerk, the District Attorney’s Office handled thousands of criminal and traffic-related cases during 2024 and 2025 as prosecutors worked alongside local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

In DeKalb County, new criminal case filings increased from 3,203 in 2024 to 3,723 in 2025. New traffic cases saw a significant rise, climbing from 3,825 to 5,549 during the same period. Cases presented to the grand jury also increased slightly, from 819 in 2024 to 838 in 2025.

Cherokee County recorded 3,884 new criminal cases in 2024 and 2,131 in 2025. Traffic case filings increased from 2,540 to 2,891, while cases presented to the grand jury rose from 358 to 364.

District Attorney Summerford’s office noted that statistics provide only part of the overall picture and cautioned against viewing increased filings or arrests as a direct measure of crime rates.

According to the office, higher numbers often reflect proactive policing efforts, targeted enforcement initiatives and officers actively addressing issues within their communities rather than a simple increase in criminal activity.

The District Attorney’s Office praised law enforcement agencies throughout DeKalb and Cherokee counties for their commitment to public safety, stating that officers work daily to protect residents, hold offenders accountable and improve the quality of life in their communities.

Summerford’s office also highlighted the importance of partnerships between prosecutors and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, saying those collaborations help ensure justice is pursued fairly, professionally and effectively.

The office expressed appreciation to law enforcement officers, court personnel and members of the prosecution team for their continued efforts on behalf of the citizens of the Ninth Judicial Circuit.