Here’s a look at the state-mandated roles for public officials on the May 2024 primary ballot. As you select your choices, this will give you a look at what the jobs entail. Tell us what else you’d like to know and what info we should add: staff@thecurrentga.org
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
A district attorney prosecutes crimes committed in the area where you live. From the moment a local police officer arrests someone for an alleged crime, it becomes the DA’s job to shepherd the case through the court process. Responsibilities for the lawyers who work under the DA include checking the evidence police gathered; presenting accusations to a grand jury for an indictment; arguing whether a person accused of a crime should remain in jail or go free; taking the case to trial, working out a plea deal or dismissing the charges; providing recommendations for consequences if somebody is convicted and sentenced; and handling any appeals.
SHERIFF
At their core, sheriffs in Georgia are the law enforcement arm of the courts and oversee jails. Their base responsibilities include delivering court summons or subpoenas; executing warrants; providing security for courthouses and election proceedings; keeping a registry of convicted sex offenders in the county; recording sales, handling evictions, seizing property by order of the court; and taking care of people incarcerated in jail before their cases are adjudicated and transporting them to and from court. How big of a role they play in enforcing the law (citations, arrests, investigations) depends on a county’s size. Bigger counties have more municipalities, which often have their own police departments with police chiefs who are hired. No matter what, every county has a sheriff who is elected by voters and for smaller counties, that means they are often empowered as the chief law enforcers too.
JUDGES
Judges are some of the most powerful local elected officials and their work impacts how justice is administered in your home county.
Superior Court: Judges in Superior Court handle felony crime cases and complex court proceedings. These include adoptions; legitimation (authorizing fathers’ custody rights for children born out of wedlock); child custody disagreements; appeals of zoning decisions, liquor licenses, tax assessments, denied unemployment benefits; habeas corpus requests (people in jail demanding legal justification for their detention); deciding whether people accused of serious crimes stay in jail or go free; reviewing invasive police warrants, like wiretapping or “geofencing” phones; appointing juvenile court judges; and overseeing felony criminal trials.
Magistrate: Judges in Magistrate Court handle small claims and some minor crimes — like deposit account fraud, violations of county ordinances, and local traffic and small possession of marijuana crimes (in some municipalities, that is performed by a municipal judge). The most important function magistrate judges perform is approving warrants written by police officers to search the homes and property of alleged law breakers and arrest them, if probable cause of a crime exists. They also issue summonses for court, initiate evictions, and handle civil claims below $15,000.
Probate: The Probate Judges Offices determines the validity of wills, enforces provisions of valid wills and works to prevent malfeasance by executors and administrators of estates. They issues marriage and weapons licenses. In some counties, they can adjudicate traffic offenses and misdemeanor cases.
COUNTY OFFICIALS
County commissioners: This powerful board is composed of one representative for each district in the county and headed by a chairperson, who serves as the county’s chief executive officer. County commissioners have the power to nominate and appoint other county residents and business owners to various county boards (except the school board, which is a separate entity). Each commissioner represents the people and businesses in their district.
Tax commissioner vs. tax assessor: The county tax commissioner collects the taxes. The tax commissioner also takes applications for homestead exemptions. It shouldn’t be confused with the office of tax assessor who maps and calculates the value of each property in the county. Each year, based on that information, the county Board of Tax Assessors recommends how much tax the county needs to collect to balance its budget. The Board of Commissioners votes on whether to impose that amount or a different one. City councils also may use county tax data about their city to impose municipal taxes.