Bill Seeks to Create Oversight Commission for District Attorneys

A bill introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives seeks to create a state commission charged with holding district attorneys accountable in a manner similar to that used for judicial accountability.

House Bill 143 was recently filed by Representatives William Boddie, Beth Moore, Jasmine Clark, Becky Evans, Angelika Kausche, and Zulma Lopez. It primarily seeks to amend the state law under a provision of the Georgia Constitution and create a ‘District Attorneys Oversight Commission’ which would have the power to “discipline, remove, and cause involuntary retirement of district attorneys” under the new statute. 

Under the bill, there would be:

  • A 7-person investigative panel;
  • A 3-person hearing panel, which would make recommendations to the Georgia Supreme Court about disciplinary matters as well as issuing advisory opinions on behalf of the Commission;
  • An appointed director of the commission, who would be required to be an active status member of the State Bar of Georgia and who would not practice law other than to represent the Commission or serve in a judicial capacity.

As far as the investigative panel goes, the Governor would appoint one attorney and two district attorneys. The Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate would each appoint one citizen and one attorney as well. The hearing panel would include an attorney, one district attorney, and one citizen, all three of whom would be appointed by the Governor.   

Investigations would be launched after approval to do so by the full investigative panel, not by the request to a single member or the director. If a commission member received information relating to the conduct of a district attorney, they would refer it to the director to begin the formal process of bringing it before the entire panel.

The bill outlines that investigative findings, much like those for the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) would be kept confidential unless formal charges were brought forth, but once charges were filed, all records would be available under the Open Records Act and any administrative proceedings would be open to the public as regular meetings are.

Records would not be confidential in special circumstances, including:

  • in the interest of justice and to protect the public; 
  • if an emergency situation exists; or  
  • if a district attorney is under consideration for another state or federal position.

The bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

You can read a copy of the bill here.

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Jessica Szilagyi

Jessica Szilagyi is Publisher of TGV News. She focuses primarily on state and local politics as well as issues in law enforcement and corrections. She has a background in Political Science with a focus in local government and has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia.

Jessica is a "Like It Or Not" contributor for Fox5 in Atlanta and co-creator of the Peabody Award-nominated podcast 'Prison Town.'

Sign up for her weekly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gzYAZT

1 Comment

  1. Case Number 2019-124388
    To whom it may concern,

    My name is Ebonie Marie Toye and I currently reside in
    Warner Robins Georgia and have been a resident of the state
    of Georgia beginning early February of 2017. I moved here
    from SeaTac Washington (State) with the intention of assisting
    my, then, step-father (Edward Judie), with the task helping
    him in taking care of my Mother, Joyce Fox Judie, because
    Edward lead myself and the rest of our/her family (Siblings,
    nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, family, and the community)
    to believe that my mother had been ‘diagnosed’ with
    dementia, which eventually progresses to early on-set of
    Alzheimer’s Disease. Fact: My mother was NEVER
    diagnosed. Which wasn’t made clear until the investigation of
    her passing/being murdered.

    I am writing this letter today in hopes of accomplishing 3
    things. However, most importantly, I hope to get the attention
    and support of any community supporters and officials, along
    with other initiatives that may help convey my concerns to the
    public and judicial constituents.

    I hope that after this letter has been read, please understand
    that I AM ACCEPTING responsibility for the task of holding
    THOSE accountable (Personal and Non) that have harmed,
    falsified, and dismissed and/or delayed the processes of
    carrying out justice for my mothers killer efficiently, timely and
    with high priority. If not for any other reason, than at least to

    uphold the oath they signed, agreeing to Prosecute those who
    don’t. Such as murderers, thieves and law breakers of
    Edward Judie’s type.

    My mother was found dead in her bedroom on the night of
    November 27, 2019. After the autopsy, it was found that she
    had 5 times the lethal amount of Cocaine in her system which
    IS what killed her, which He purchased and administered.
    Here it is, over 3 years since she has passed. And nothing
    has been done. He was released after the 2nd bond hearing
    on a 220,000$ bond even after being heard on a BIBB County
    Jail phone telling someone what to do about hiding insurance
    proceeds, securing passports, and pursuing a quick claim
    deed on their home at 202 Greenview Terrace Macon Ga
    31220 in Barrington Hall Subdivision in North Macon. My
    mother birthed 2 children. Myself and my younger brother
    Corey Toye. However, she has raised many children in every
    community she has ever lived in whether it was during her 20
    years as a US Army soldier, or as a Middle School Teacher
    from Washington State to Macon Georgia. My brother and I
    desperately need closure. Her family needs closure, Students
    she’s mentored need closure, her grandchildren, her siblings,
    her friends and extended family NEEDS closure. And Bibb
    County District Attorney’s office is doing NOTHING. In this
    time that I have been here trying to see this through, Edward
    has had access to my mothers estate, even after he was
    ordered by a judge NOT to attempt to use, distribute, or
    access anything that is or could be part of her estate during

    the process of the conviction. So how is it that he was able to
    bond out with such a large cash bond and even after being
    denied bail the first time because the DA that was over the
    case in 2019 at the time deemed him a flight risk? I’m not
    from here, I have no family here and no support. Not even
    through the Victims Compensation Program that is supposed
    to help people in my situation. Furthermore to be honest, the
    city of Macon is sucking the life out of me, my children and my
    mothers loved one’s. I can’t even Begin to put my family back
    together until justice has been served. But, is there any
    Justice being served?

    To the reader: I will be using names; with positions in their
    community organizations and/or enforcement positions,
    places, relationships (personal and non) to expose the lack of
    efficiency, priority and due diligence that is LARGELY being
    neglected in this Community.

    Ebonie Toye

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