Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Decatur, Ga.- On Wednesday, the Georgia Supreme Court issued an order stating that it would not review the proposed rules of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC), a new politically appointed body created by Senate Bill 92 (SB 92) this year to investigate, discipline and possibly remove Georgia’s elected prosecutors.  Because the terms of the statute required Supreme Court approval before the Commission could adopt any rules of procedure, this leaves the PAQC at a standstill and unable to take any further action. 

“Today’s order by the Georgia Supreme Court shines a bright light on the fundamental failings of Senate Bill 92.  We are pleased the justices have taken action to stop this unconstitutional attack on the state’s prosecutors.  While we celebrate this as a victory, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fight any future attempts to undermine the will of Georgia voters and the independence of the prosecutors who they choose to represent them,” said DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston. 

“Today the Georgia Supreme Court recognized what we have said throughout this litigation: SB 92 is a flawed law.  We are grateful that as a result of this decision, district attorneys throughout Georgia are not subject to removal for deciding how to best promote safety and justice.  At Public Rights Project, we will continue to stand with communities fighting for the ability to elect prosecutors reflective of their values,” said Josh Rosenthal, Legal Director of Public Rights Project.