Family Law Section September Breakfast Meeting Features District Attorney Robert James
After a summer hiatus, the Family Law Section convened the first breakfast meeting of the 2012-2013 year on September 6, 2012 with guest speaker DeKalb District Attorney Robert James. Before a packed house, James explained his pledge to serve the citizens of DeKalb County through “competence, compassion, and commitment to justice.”
District Attorney James described to the attendees how he began his career at the Rockdale County District Attorney’s office and what an awakening it was for him when he started as an Assistant DA in DeKalb after three years in Rockdale. He explained that DeKalb County is very different, and that despite having three years of solid experience, he felt overwhelmed when he first started. According to James, the volume and severity of crime in DeKalb County is unique. He stressed that the complexity of an ADA’s case load does not lend itself to prosecutors who are fresh out of law school. James believes that the victims of crime deserve experienced prosecutors. Thus, when he became the District Attorney, he made a “quick dash” to hire experienced Assistant District Attorneys. James also firmly believes that the perspective which comes with prosecutorial experience is very important. He said that his office is one of, if not the most, experienced District Attorneys’ Offices in Georgia.
James pointed out the importance of various alternative sentencing programs and initiatives which his office has continued, as well as a few new programs he spearheaded as both Solicitor-General and now District Attorney. He spoke about the importance of recidivism reduction, and programs such as Drug Court and Mental Health Court which help in reducing recidivism. He also spoke about the creation of the anti-recidivism court which began when James was in the DeKalb Solicitor’s office. The program helps offenders between the ages of 17 and 25 charged with mid-level crimes such as burglary and drug-related offenses. Among other requirements, the program requires its participants either have a job or be in enrolled in school.
District Attorney James has also partnered with the DeKalb State and Juvenile Courts to create a juvenile re-entry program. With the help of a bill passed by the Georgia Legislature allowing early release from juvenile detention centers for good behavior, the program provides support for kids who are released from juvenile jails. It provides various services and encourages family participation in ensuring that the child stays out of the system in the future.
James also pointed to a program called VALARI, which provides resources to senior citizens and disabled adults in DeKalb County. He acknowledged that there is no help or care for elderly and disabled people without family support. District Attorney James also stated that there have been very few elder abuse cases prosecuted. The new program uses social workers to help determine whether elder abuse is an issue in a given case and has partnered with Emory University to provide bed space for up to one month for recovery, alternative placement, or so family can be located. Since the program has been in place, VALARI has taken action on 600 cases.
Through hiring experienced prosecutors, creating and maintaining projects to the address recidivism, creating special initiatives to help the community as a whole, and using the experience and discretion of his office to prosecute criminals, James’ competence, compassion, and commitment to justice is evident. The Family Law Section is grateful for his service to the citizens of DeKalb County, and for his dynamic and engaging style as a public speaker – especially at 7:30 in the morning.
The Family Law Section hosts breakfast the first Thursday of each month beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the historic Old Courthouse in downtown Decatur, 101 E. Court Square. Breakfast is catered by Sawicki’s and costs $15 for section members, $18 for non-members. The October breakfast is October 4, and the guest speaker will be the Honorable Asha Jackson, the newest appointee to the Superior Court Bench.
– Kyla Lines, Pachman Richardson, LLC