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Name:
Hendricks, Richard
Date of Booking:
04/02/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
GROOMING OF A MINOR
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
4/8/26
BOND POSTED — $25,000
What this means: Richard Hendricks was released from custody after a $25,000 bond was posted on his behalf by a bond company. He is now out of jail while his case proceeds but must follow the conditions set by the court.
4/8/26
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF BOND IMPOSED
What this means: The court set specific rules that Richard Hendricks must follow while out on bond. These conditions typically restrict his activities or require him to do certain things (such as avoiding contact with certain people or checking in with a probation officer).
4/23/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY MAZI MAZLOOM ENTERS APPEARANCE
What this means: Mazi Mazloom, Richard Hendricks’s defense attorney, officially entered the case and is now representing him in Cherokee County Superior Court.
4/27/26
PROSECUTOR RACHEL HINES APPOINTED
What this means: Rachel Hines was assigned as the prosecutor handling the case against Richard Hendricks on behalf of the State of Georgia.
5/7/26
DEFENSE MOTIONS AND DISCOVERY REQUESTS FILED
What this means: Richard Hendricks’s attorney filed several motions and requests on the same day: a motion reserving the right to file additional motions later, a motion to preserve evidence (asking the court to ensure evidence is not destroyed), a notice of objection under Georgia law, a preliminary motion to suppress (asking the court to exclude certain evidence from trial), a request for discovery (asking the prosecution to turn over evidence and information), and a waiver of arraignment (agreeing to skip the formal reading of charges). These are standard defense filings in a criminal case.
5/7/26
PRELIMINARY HEARING SCHEDULED
What this means: A preliminary hearing was scheduled for 5/7/2026 at 9:00 a.m. on the 10 Hold Over Calendar. At this hearing, the court will determine whether there is enough evidence to hold Richard Hendricks over for trial in Superior Court.
6/1/26
MAGISTRATE COURT FILINGS RECEIVED
What this means: Documents from Magistrate Court were filed in the case record. This typically includes initial charging documents or other filings from the lower court.
7/10/26
DISCOVERY INVENTORY AND CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE FILED
What this means: The prosecution filed a list of all evidence and materials it is providing to the defense, along with proof that the defense attorney received copies. This is part of the discovery process, where both sides exchange information before trial.
7/15/26
MOTION TO MODIFY BOND HEARING
What this means: A hearing was held on Richard Hendricks’s motion to modify bond. At this hearing, the court considered whether to change the terms of his bond — for example, to lower the bond amount, remove or ease conditions, or allow him more freedom while the case proceeds.
7/29/26
ORDER DENYING MOTION TO MODIFY BOND
What this means: The court rejected Richard Hendricks’s request to modify his bond. His $25,000 bond and special conditions remain in effect.
8/10/26
INDICTMENT FILED
What this means: A grand jury has returned an indictment against Richard Hendricks, formally charging him with the crime(s) related to the grooming of a minor allegation. An indictment means the grand jury found probable cause that he committed the offense. He is now facing felony charges in Cherokee County Superior Court.
8/20/26
WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT, PLEA OF NOT GUILTY, AND REQUEST FOR TRIAL BY JURY FILED
What this means: Richard Hendricks waived his right to a formal arraignment hearing (where charges would be read aloud), entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment, and requested that his case be tried before a jury rather than a judge alone.
9/9/26
ARRAIGNMENT CALENDAR SCHEDULED
What this means: An arraignment calendar call is scheduled for 9/9/2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Cherokee County Superior Court. At this hearing, the court will confirm Richard Hendricks’s plea, address any outstanding motions or procedural matters, and set a trial date or next court appearance.
9/24/26
MOTION TO DISMISS INDICTMENT AND CHALLENGE TO GEORGIA STATUTE FILED
What this means: Richard Hendricks’s attorney filed two motions: one asking the court to dismiss the indictment against him, and another asking the court to declare Georgia Code Section 16-12-100.5 unconstitutional. A motion to dismiss challenges whether the charges should proceed; a constitutional challenge argues that the law itself violates the U.S. or Georgia Constitution. A certificate of service was also filed, confirming that the prosecution received copies of these motions.
10/9/26
RULE NISI ISSUED ON MOTIONS
What this means: The court issued a Rule Nisi, which sets a hearing date for the court to hear and rule on Richard Hendricks’s motions to dismiss the indictment and declare the statute unconstitutional.
10/14/26
MOTIONS HEARING HELD
What this means: A hearing was held at 10:00 a.m. in Cherokee County Superior Court to address Richard Hendricks’s motions to dismiss the indictment and declare the statute unconstitutional. The court heard arguments from both the defense and prosecution on these issues.
10/19/26
ORDER DENYING MOTION TO DISMISS AND CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE
What this means: The court denied Richard Hendricks’s motion to dismiss the indictment and rejected his argument that Georgia Code Section 16-12-100.5 is unconstitutional. The indictment stands, and the case will proceed to trial.
10/27/26
CERTIFICATE OF IMMEDIATE REVIEW FILED
What this means: Richard Hendricks’s attorney filed a Certificate of Immediate Review, which is a notice that an appeal of the court’s denial of his motions may be taken directly to the Georgia Court of Appeals before trial concludes. This preserves his right to appeal the judge’s rulings on the motion to dismiss and the constitutional challenge.
10/28/26
CRIMINAL CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED
What this means: A criminal calendar call is scheduled for 10/28/2026 at 1:30 p.m. in Cherokee County Superior Court. At this hearing, the court will address any remaining pretrial matters and confirm that the case is ready to proceed.
11/16/26
CRIMINAL TRIAL SCHEDULED
What this means: Richard Hendricks’s criminal trial is scheduled for 11/16/2026 at 9:00 a.m. in Cherokee County Superior Court. The trial will proceed before a jury, as he requested.