On Friday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation establishing the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC), which will ensure that district attorneys and solicitors-general will fulfill their constitutional and statutory duties.
The legislation, Senate Bill 92 (SB 92), creates the PAQC which “has the authority to investigate alleged misconduct by district attorneys and solicitors-general and discipline, remove, or cause the involuntary retirement of those who meet the conditions for removal,” according to a press release from Kemp’s office.
“My No. 1 priority is public safety across our state,” said Kemp. “As hardworking law enforcement officers routinely put their lives on the line to investigate, confront, and arrest criminal offenders, I won’t stand idly by as they’re met with resistance from rogue or incompetent prosecutors who refuse to uphold the law. The creation of the PACQ will help hold prosecutors driven by out-of-touch politics than commitment to their responsibilities accountable and make our communities safer.”
Under the legislation, the PAQC is enabled to remove or involuntarily retire a district attorney or solicitor-general whose “Mental or physical incapacity that interferes with the performance of duties that is likely permanent; Willful misconduct in office; Willful and persistent failure to carry out statutory duties; Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the office into disrepute; or Knowingly authorizing or permitting an assistant district attorney or assistant solicitor-general to commit any of the aforementioned acts,” the press release explained.
