Move avoids termination hearing

Arthur English has resigned from his post as Chief Public Defender for the Griffin Judicial Circuit, which includes Fayette County.

The resignation was tendered in time to avoid a hearing of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council, which was to consider firing English, according to B. Michael Mears, director of the council.

Although Mears wouldn’t elaborate about the reasons English faced the termination hearing, he said they were unrelated to the criminal charges filed against him in Lamar County.

English will be replaced temporarily by a person appointed by Chief Superior Court Judge Paschal A. English Jr. (no relation to Arthur English) for a 90-day time frame while the original committee that selected English picks his permanent replacement, Mears explained.

Arthur English has been on leave since he was charged in August in Lamar County for two counts of theft by receiving stolen property, which police identified as a four-wheeler and trailer.

During Arthur English’s absence, the office has been guided by his chief assistant, Tammy Jacobs.

The Griffin Public Defender Office covers Fayette, Spalding, Pike and Upson counties.

The Daily Herald in McDonough reported yesterday that Arthur English has been hired as an assistant public defender for the Flint Judical Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Henry County.