Georgia DAs challenge new law allowing state oversight of their prosecution choices

by Stanley Dunlap, Georgia Recorder [This article first appeared in the Georgia Recorder, republished with permission] August 2, 2023 Four Georgia district attorneys filed a lawsuit this week to stop the creation of a new disciplinary committee that has the power to remove county prosecutors from public office.  The plaintiffs in the state lawsuit accuse Gov. Brian Kemp and other GOP lawmakers of passing legislation this year that creates an oversight commission that they say unconstitutionally undermines discretion of local prosecutors and the voters who put them in office. On Wednesday, Georgia Republican Attorney General Chris Carr promised to hold prosecutors accountable for failing to enforce certain criminal charges as well as for other misconduct that violates their oath of office. Democratic DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston, Democratic Augusta District Attorney Jared Williams, Republican Towaliga District Attorney Jonathan Adams and Democratic Cobb County District Attorney Flynn Broady are attempting to block the appointment of the prosecutors oversight commission. Under the new law, the Georgia Supreme Court would appoint investigative panels to decide whether a prosecutor has committed willful or prejudicial misconduct, should be punished for not prosecuting low-level offenses or is found to have mental or physical disabilities that
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