Bad Links?
Other glitches?
Notify Webmaster

PTC seeking full-time city court prosecutor

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City will be getting a full-time prosecutor for city court who will also advise the police department on legal matters.

The City Council voted last week to create the position, which will have a salary range between $45,000 and $50,000, depending on the person’s experience, noted Police Chief James Murray.

The city currently employs a part-time solicitor who has asked for a steep raise due to the increased workload. Murray explained that much of the new workload has to do with discovery motions which can be time-consuming.

Far more of those motions have been filed here in the last year compared to other cities such as Fayetteville because “everyone here has a lawyer,” Murray said.

“In July, Fayetteville had four discovery motions,” Murray said. “Last month, we had 45.”

The city might luck up and get a very experienced prosecutor due to the election results this year, Murray said. Both State Court Solicitor Steve Harris, who lost an election bid for a Superior Court judgeship, and Chief Assistant State Court Solicitor Lura Landis, who lost a bid to replace Harris as chief solicitor, may be available.

Murray said the state’s prosecuting attorney’s office said the proposed salary range should draw a “barrel full” of well-qualified applicants for the position.

Councilwoman Judi-ann Rutherford said she didn’t want to commit to the position and council should re-evaluate how it’s working out during budget time next year.

Murray noted that any full-time solicitor would be barred from doing criminal defense work part time, but that person may be able to do civil matters on the side such as drafting wills.

“We’ll pick somebody, I’m sure, who will be dedicated to the position,” Murray said.