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Conyers creates independent Court Services department, moves probation out of police oversight and appoints Carrie Bucek as prosecuting attorney
Summary
The Conyers City Council approved three ordinances that create an independent Department of Court Services, reassign probation out of police oversight, and move oath administration for probation officers to municipal court judges; the council also appointed Carrie Bucek as municipal prosecuting attorney and administered her oath.
The Conyers City Council approved a package of administrative changes that will create a separate Department of Court Services, move probation and related functions out from under the police chief's responsibilities, and transfer administration of oaths for probation officers to municipal court judges. The council also approved Resolution 7‑54 appointing Carrie Bucek as prosecuting attorney and administered her oath of office.
Carey, the staff presenter, told the council the three ordinances would be effective July 1. "These 3 ordinances... will be effective July 1," Carey said, summarizing the reorganization: add Court Services to the city's list of departments, remove probation administration from the police chief's duties, and create a new ordinance authorizing municipal court judges to administer oaths to probation officers.
Council approved Ordinance 14‑23 to add Court Services to section 2‑3‑1 of the Code of Ordinances; Ordinance 14‑24 to amend section 4‑1‑1 removing probation and court services from the police chief's responsibilities; and Ordinance 14‑25 to remove the police chief's authority to administer oaths to probation officers and to create section 2‑5‑25 authorizing municipal court judges to administer those oaths. Council members waived second readings on each ordinance and approved them.
Later in the meeting the council approved Resolution 7‑54 appointing Carrie Bucek as prosecuting attorney for the municipal court "pursuant to OCGA 15‑18‑91 and pursuant to [City Code] 2‑5‑21," the resolution said. The mayor pro tem administered the oath: "Do you affirm that you will well, faithfully, and impartially, and without fear, favor, or affection discharge your duties as prosecuting attorney of the City of Conyers?" The appointee responded, "I do." Judge Nation and much of the court services and probation staff were present in the chamber during the item, Carey said.
The ordinances and appointment represent an internal reorganization of municipal court administration and take effect as the ordinance texts specify, with staff and council noting the changes primarily adjust supervisory responsibility and the formal mechanism for administering probation officers' oaths.
