Q&A with George Hartwig
Residence: Centerville
Occupation: District attorney, Houston County Judicial Circuit
Q: What do you consider prosecution highlights for 2015?
A: Really, for 2015 there were no big, sensational cases like there have been in years past. But I consider the day-in, day-out work of all our cases through the year a highlight. It's the crucial day-to-day work our office is here to do and I'm very proud of our office's work.
Q: Were there other, non-court activities in 2015 you'd consider highlights?
A: I think there were several. In April, for the first time in Houston County we hosted the quarterly statewide district attorney's meeting. About 30 DAs were for two days and we were able to showcase our county. To me that was a big deal. Also this summer, I was picked by my fellow DAs to serve on the state's prosecuting attorney's council. There are only a handful selected and I was honored to be chosen, especially since I'm just in my fifth year as a DA.
Q: Anything else related to you or your office?
A: In January, I was asked to spend a number of days with the state Legislature to testify as a prosecuting attorney regarding a number of pending legislative issues. I think my previous experience in law enforcement, as well as being a DA, allowed me to give good input.
Q: What legislation did you address?
A: It included legislation on the use of deadly force by officers and legislation on whether or not the prosecution of officers in deadly force cases should be taken out of the hands of local DAs and given to special prosecutors. I'm against that. I also testified in relation to search warrant legislation and search and seizure issues. But as far as our office, I want to mention one other thing.
Q: Please do.
A: We were very pleased to partner and participate with one of our superior court judges this year in establishing a mental health court. There hasn't been one or any other accountability court here before. It's been very successful.
Q: Explain that.
A: The concept is taking an identified group who meet certain criteria and offering them help through counselling, rehabilitation or other programs rather than incarceration. It's not letting them off, it's getting them help to not be a repeat offender and constantly in and out of jail. It's been done elsewhere with other groups like drug offenders.
Q: What do you see ahead for 2016?
A: We've been doing a lot of work toward several higher profile cases that I believe will come to fruition in 2016. Since they're pending, I'd rather not discuss them, but I believe they'll be in court in 2016.
Q: How about you personally? Your term ends in 2016.
A: I just announced to our staff at our Christmas party that I'll seek re-election. One of our senior superior court judges will be retiring this year and I have to admit I considered running. But I love my job as DA too much. Part of it may be my law enforcement background, but I like the role of prosecutor and I love the staff that we've put together here now. When I took office five years ago there wasn't the level of experience and expertise we have now. There weren't as many who'd handled murder cases and that sort of thing. We've built a staff that's much more experienced, with some doing this work for 20-plus years.
Q: What size is the DA's office?
A: Right at 30. We have 12 prosecutors, including myself and two who are assigned to juvenile court. We have two investigators and two full-time and three part-time victim's advocates. Then there's an IT person and our secretarial and reception staff. There are a lot of rewards in our work when we win cases and are able to see justice done and victims obtain a measure of closure, but there are a lot of frustrating days and days filed with sadness leading up to that when you're with victims and family members who have suffered violence and loss. As corny as it sounds, sometimes it's about being there for them and lending a shoulder to cry on literally and figuratively, but that's a part of what this office, this staff is about. We believe in justice and in what we do and that there is good and evil in the world. Our job is to deal with that evil and to try to get justice for folks who can't get it any other way. That's how our system works.
Q: You mentioned a background in law enforcement. What was that?
A: In 1978 I was just a 19-year-old kid and began serving in Broward County, Florida. I was in law enforcement for seven years and two were in undercover drug operations. I came to Middle Georgia to go to law school at Mercer (University) on a full scholarship and I've stayed. I came to work for this office as an assistant district attorney in 2001 after 10 years in private practice. This suited me better.
Answers may have been edited for length and clarity. Compiled by Michael W. Pannell. Contact him at mwpannell@gmail.com.
This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 9:35 PM with the headline "Q&A with George Hartwig ."