Office of the District Attorney Atlantic Judicial Circuit

Doing what is morally and ethically right through everyday actions of truth and justice.

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Our Mission, Vision, Goals, & commitment to justice

Our Mission

To serve our citizens by protecting our community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice with dignity and respect while guaranteeing a fair process to obtain a just result for the victim, the accused, and the public, in every case.

Our Vision

To protect and serve Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Tattnall counties, while creating a stronger community where the application of criminal justice provides a safe place to live by holding the guilty accountable, protecting the innocent, and preserving the dignity of victims and their families. We shall require all members of our community to respect others and take responsibility for their actions and we shall seek truth and justice in a professional manner, while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

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Billy Joe Nelson, Jr.

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85%
Case Success

300+

Years
Experience

Agency Goals

Provide Peace & Public Order

by delivering professional prosecutorial and law enforcement services that address the needs of victims, by challenging, and aggressively pursuing crime in our communities and by ensuring the preservation of life, liberty, the protection of property, and the safety of the citizenry. We envision a peaceful community in which our residents are safe, healthy, and secure.

Serve Our Community

through positive partnerships with law enforcement and other community members by maintaining a helpful and caring attitude. We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will cultivate a dependable and responsible system that supports our community and provides access to the services our residents need and desire.

To Oppose Crime

by promoting justice with integrity without fear of personal, professional or political consequence and without regard to race, religion, gender, political affiliation, sexual orientation, social or economic status.

To Be Firm and Fair

swift and sure, in holding offenders accountable for their criminal conduct.

Conduct Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions

that successfully identify and prosecute those that violate the law and disrupt the quality of life enjoyed by our citizens, while recognizing the dignity of all individuals.

Ensure that Victims and Witnesses

of crimes are treated with dignity and respect and are afforded all their rights under the law and to minimize trauma to these victims.

Maintain the Highest Professional Standards

through comprehensive training and the establishment of appropriate policies, programs, and procedures. To demand the highest levels of professionalism, competence, honor, integrity and ethics in the execution of our responsibilities in the service of our citizens. We value integrity and believe that working in an honest and transparent manner is crucial.

Render Quality Advice to Public Officials

concerning projected law requirements and related issues.

Create a Professional Working Environment

that recognizes the value and dignity of each member of the District Attorney’s Office whereby each individual can grow professionally and render effective service to the public. To nurture and promote respect for the professionals who serve our community as public servants by establishing high standards of professionalism, fair compensation, a good work environment with adequate resources to provide the highest levels of professional service to our citizens. To be fiscally efficient, socially responsive and personally accountable.

Adhere to the Highest Ethical Standards

both individually and as an organization, to ensure that individual rights are protected. We are committed to our mission, vision, and values, and hold ourselves to the highest standards of our professions.

To Daily Earn the Respect of Our Citizens

and the trust of our communities with the integrity of our actions and the ethics of our convictions. To maintain the public trust, honor, integrity and pride in our professional responsibilities and judgements. To gain and hold the trust and respect of the citizens that we are privileged and honored to serve.

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Our Practice Areas

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CRIMINAL LAW

Criminal law in the state of Georgia encompasses the statutes and regulations that define criminal offenses and outline the procedures for prosecuting and punishing those offenses.

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PROSECUTION

A prosecutor in criminal law is a legal representative of the government who is responsible for presenting the case against an individual accused of breaking the law. Their main role is to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant committed the crime they are charged with.

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VICTIM WITNESS

Victim witnesses are individuals who have been affected by a crime and may need to testify or provide information during the legal process. The District Attorney's office often has a Victim Witness Assistance Program to support these individuals, offering services such as counseling, information about the legal process, and help with safety planning.Court advocacy is a crucial service provided by the Victim Witness Assistance Program to support victims and witnesses throughout the legal process.

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CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

District Attorney (DA) investigators play a crucial role in supporting the prosecution of criminal cases.

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CONDEMNATION

In the state of Georgia, the District Attorney (DA) plays a significant role in the processes of condemnations and asset forfeitures.

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JUVENILE JUSTICE

In the state of Georgia, the District Attorney (DA) plays a significant role in the juvenile justice system.

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Dedicated to Justice in Coastal Georgia

Our office protects six counties by prosecuting crime, upholding victims' rights, and ensuring a fair and transparent legal system for everyone

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6

Counties Served

Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Tattnall

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99%

Client Satisfaction

Focused on felony and juvenile cases

112,398+

Criminal
Cases Served

Our team is one of the BEST in the state of Georgia

With a legacy of upholding justice across Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Tattnall counties, our office stands as a pillar of legal excellence and ethical leadership. As top prosecutors and dedicated public servants, we pursue justice with integrity, dignity, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and rights of our citizens.

Every case we handle carries the weight of our values — fairness, accountability, and a profound respect for the law and those we serve.

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Our Commitments in Action

Through our daily work, we emphasize victim advocacy, uphold the highest legal standards, build public trust, and prioritize safety across our six counties. These key areas reflect our ongoing dedication to serving justice.

Victim Advocacy

100%

Legal Integrity

100%

Community Trust

90%

Public Safety

90%

Our Experienced District Attorney is Ready
To answer any questions

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Billy Joe Nelson, Jr.

District Attorney

Meet Our Team

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The District Attorney's Office is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the state. Their duties include:

  • Representing the state in felony cases and some misdemeanors.
  • Advising grand juries on legal matters and presenting evidence.
  • Drafting indictments and prosecuting criminal offenses.
  • Attending court sessions and arguing cases before appellate courts.
  • Working with law enforcement to review evidence and issue warrants.
  • Protecting victims' rights and assisting them through the legal process.
  • Handling civil cases where the state has an interest, such as asset forfeitures.
  • Legal Advice for law enforcement by providing guidance on search warrants, arrest warrants, and other legal matters. They work with police to review evidence, issue warrants, and guide investigations.
  • Criminal investigations and other law enforcement functions.
  • Appeals & Habeas Corpus Cases: They handle appeals and post-conviction cases.
  • The District Attorney's Office plays a role in child support enforcement, particularly in cases involving interstate or international parents.
Representing the state in felony cases and some misdemeanors.
Advising grand juries on legal matters and presenting evidence.
Drafting indictments and prosecuting criminal offenses.
Attending court sessions and arguing cases before appellate courts.
Working with law enforcement to review evidence and issue warrants.
Representing the state in felony cases and some misdemeanors.
Representing the state in felony cases and some misdemeanors.

Each judicial circuit in Georgia has its own District Attorney, and their responsibilities are outlined in the Georgia Code § 15-18-6.

2024 CODE OF GEORGIA

Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3)Chapter 18 - PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS (§§ 15-18-1 — 15-18-99)Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-18-1 — 15-18-32)Section 15-18-6 - Duties of district attorneyUniversal Citation: GA Code § 15-18-6 (2024)

The duties of the district attorneys within their respective circuits are:
(1) To attend each session of the superior courts unless excused by the judge thereof and to remain until the business of the state is disposed of;
(2) To attend on the grand juries, advise them in relation to matters of law, and swear and examine witnesses before them;
(3) To administer the oaths the laws require to the grand and trial jurors and to the bailiffs or other officers of the court and otherwise to aid the presiding judge in organizing the courts as he may require;
(4) To review every individual case for which probable cause for prosecution exists and to make a prosecutorial decision available under the law based on the facts and circumstances of each individual case under oath of duty as provided in Code Section 15-18-2;
(5) To draw up all indictments or presentments, when requested by the grand jury, and to prosecute all indictable offenses;
(6) To prosecute civil actions to enforce any civil penalty set forth in Code Section 40-6-163 and to prosecute or defend any other civil action in the prosecution or defense of which the state is interested, unless otherwise specially provided for;
(7) To attend before the appellate courts when any criminal case emanating from their respective circuits is tried, to argue the same, and to perform any other duty therein which the interest of the state may require;
(8) To advise law enforcement officers concerning the sufficiency of evidence, warrants, and similar matters relating to the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses;
(9) To collect all money due the state in the hands of any escheators and to pay it over to the educational fund, if necessary, compelling payment by rule or order of court or other legal means;
(10) To collect all claims of the state which they may be ordered to collect by the state revenue commissioner and to remit the same within 30 days after collection; and on October 1 of every year to report to the state revenue commissioner the condition of the claims in their hands in favor of the state, particularly specifying:
  • (A) The amounts collected and paid, from what sources received and for what purposes, and to whom paid;
  • (B) What claims are unpaid and why;
  • (C) What judgments have been obtained, when, and in what court; and
  • (D) What actions are instituted, in what courts, and their present progress and future prospects;
(11) To ensure disposition information is submitted in accordance with subsection (g) of Code Section 35-3-36 when a final disposition decision is made by a district attorney;
(12) To assist victims and witnesses of crimes through the complexities of the criminal justice system and ensure that the victims of crimes are apprised of the rights afforded them under the law; and
(13) To perform such other duties as are or may be required by law or which necessarily appertain to their office.

Our professional Expert law team is always ready to serve you

Send us an email and we'll get in touch shortly, or phone between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday.

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