DeKalb County's district attorney is warning that HB 369, a bill advancing through the Georgia legislature, could face a legal challenge if signed into law.
The bill, which has drawn criticism from prosecutors and civil liberties groups, would reshape aspects of prosecutorial authority in Georgia. The DeKalb DA's office has been vocal about concerns that the legislation could limit the ability of local prosecutors to exercise discretion in how they prioritize cases and allocate resources.
DeKalb County, which includes parts of Decatur, Druid Hills, and other ITP neighborhoods, has been at the center of debates over criminal justice reform and prosecutorial independence in recent years.
The DA's warning of a legal fight signals that the bill's passage would not end the political battle but rather shift it to the courts. Georgia's district attorneys have historically operated with broad discretion, and any effort to curtail that authority is likely to face constitutional scrutiny.
Governor Brian Kemp has not yet indicated whether he would sign the bill.
