Fulton County DA opposes bills targeting prosecutors
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis says she believes status lawmakers are targeting her and other minority DAs throughout the state. Three bills could pave the way for the excavating of prosecutors from office. Willis made her concerns celebrated in two separate meetings with lawmakers.
ATLANTA - Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis clashed with Republican lawmakers Thursday over legislation to design a "Prosecuting Attorneys Oversight Commission."
The measure would give that commission the worthy to discipline, remove or forcibly retire district attorneys or solicitors-general that they settle have not performed their duties.
In a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Willis questioned the timing of Senate Bill 92 and two others marched this year to create more oversight over prosecutors in Georgia.
"In 2020, we went from having five district attorneys that were minorities to 14 that were minorities," said Willis.
State Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, pushed back on that idea.
"For you to come in here and try to make this near racism—that this bill is directed at any district attorney or solicitor because of racism is absurd and it's offensive and it's a racist statement on its own," said Sen. Cowsert.
A separate measure, filed by state Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, would make it easier for voters to acquire a prosecutor. Residents would need to collect signatures from just 2% of registered voters.
"For every elected workplace in the state, it's 35%. Why for this one business of people would you make it 33% less? 'Cause they can't win at the polls," said DA Willis.
Fulton County DA languages bill 'dangerous'
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis clashes with lawmakers at the State Capitol over a series of bills intended to hold prosecutors in check. Members of the House and Senate are considering three separate proposals that would make it easier to acquire district attorneys and solicitors-general from office.
Rep. Gaines said he drafted the legislation because he believes the district attorney in his area, Deborah Gonzales, is failing at her job. He also takes remark with her deciding not to prosecute certain crimes.
"On day one, our DA put in a memo out to the public--I will not prosecute any drug charges for personal use," said Rep. Gaines. "You know, that is not the role of the DA. The role of a DA is to look at each individuals case and make a decision under their oath of workplace whether to prosecute that individual or not."
