District attorney seeks staffing and budget approvals after new judge, rising caseloads

George Brockler, the district attorney for the 20th/Third Judicial District (Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties), told Elbert County commissioners that a new criminal courtroom authorized by the state and a rising caseload require additional prosecutors and support staff and that Douglas County has already approved most of the requested positions.

Brockler said the legislature authorized a new felony-level district court judge for the 20th/Third Judicial District this year, which creates an additional courtroom that must be staffed. He described the change as “a historic one-off,” and told commissioners the district needs two prosecutors per courtroom, a victim-witness advocate, a legal assistant and additional senior supervision to manage the larger team.

Why it matters: The requested staffing would expand the district attorney’s capacity to handle a reported increase in filings — Brockler said adult felony filings have risen about 22% and violent adult crime filings about 40% since he left the office — and to staff specialty units such as Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), human trafficking, and organized-crime prosecution. Brockler said Elbert County’s…