ATLANTA — Complaints can now be filed online about any alleged misconduct for district attorneys and solicitors-general across Georgia.
The Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC) launched its website on Nov. 6 with a page about the complaint process and a form to submit complaints, according to a release.
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The commission was created to investigate complaints from Georgians about elected or appointed district attorneys and solicitors-general. According to a release, the PAQC administers the discipline and incapacity system for prosecuting attorneys.
Officials with PAQC said the form and contents of a complaint are established by statute. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into law that created the commission, which has the power to not only investigate but even remove people from office or prompt involuntarily retirement. The controversial legislation, which has faced challenges like lawsuits, allows the commission to be removed based on willful misconduct, failure to carry out duties, conviction of a crime and more.
The website is how citizens can file complaints with the PAQC and will guide those making any complaints through the process. The online form requires citizens to check off the statutory basis for the complaint, such as alleged willful misconduct in office. It also requires people to check off exceptions, required disclosures of the complainant -- like a prior relationship -- uploading a sworn affidavit, and any other additional documents.
Following the formal complaint, it is screened to see if it meets all the statutory requirements and if it would support one or more of the statutory grounds for discipline if everything is true and verifiable. According to its website, if the complaint does not meet the statutory requirements, it will notify the person who submitted it and inform them why it is insufficient. If it meets the requirements, they will conduct a preliminary investigation. Following this, they can either ask the Investigative Panel to authorize a formal investigation or dismiss the complaint. Whoever submitted the complaint will be notified either way. A complainant may also appeal a dismissal of a complaint to the Investigative Panel.
The members of the commission were appointed by the governor, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and the Senate Committee on Assignments, a release said.
To learn more about the PAQC and view its website, click here.
