Prosecuting Attorneys; additional grounds for discipline of a district attorney or solicitor-general or for his or her removal or involuntary retirement from office; provide

Broader discipline rules for Georgia prosecutors

The law expands grounds for disciplining, removing, or forcing retirement of Georgia district attorneys and solicitors-general. Grounds include failing to make reasonable efforts to follow victims’ rights, public-records access, criminal evidence-sharing, and prosecutors’ professional rules. The professional rules include Rule 3.8, which covers prosecutors’ special duties. Other grounds include willful misconduct, willful and persistent failure to perform duties, and crime convictions involving moral turpitude. They also include conduct that harms the administration of justice and brings the office into disrepute. Permanent, or likely permanent, mental or physical incapacity that interferes with duties is also a ground. Prosecutors face discipline for knowingly making or authorizing decisions based on factors listed in the law. They also face discipline for knowingly allowing assistant prosecutors to commit acts covered by these grounds. The changes apply to disciplinary proceedings started on or after the law takes effect. The law takes effect upon the Governor’s approval or becoming law without approval; the source gives no calendar date.