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News From Your DA's Office
Western Circuit Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, serving Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties
Vol. 2, No. 9 September, 2022
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Early in September, I had the pleasure of attending an intercity visit to Tuscaloosa and Birmingham hosted by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. The trip was well attended by a mixture of elected officials, non-profit leaders, leaders in business, and community members.
Our group was given a chance to listen, learn, and be inspired by programs being conducted in other cities. I appreciate opportunities to observe diverse perspectives on ways to improve our community.
This trip gave me an opportunity to interact with members of the Athens community in a multitude of roles, many of whom I do not get to regularly work with. Building connections within our community and finding ways to work together plays an important role in creating a safer community.
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The Family Protection Center
Community members are often surprised to find that the work of a District Attorney’s Office does not take place entirely in a courthouse. While it is true that the bulk of our team staff the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse and the Oconee County Courthouse, we also have a team located at the Family Protection Center.
The Family Protection Center, located on the East Side of Athens, facilitates collaborative services from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Clarke County Department of Family and Children Services, ACC-SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners), Project Safe, the Sexual Assault Center of Northeast Georgia, and the District Attorney’s Office. It is designed to be a space that creates improved victim outcomes through collaboration, providing resources, and administering victim services.
Maintaining a presence in the Family Protection Center is an essential part of our work in the District Attorney’s Office. Many of the individuals who come through the center are in need of support, compassion, and the knowledge that our office can provide assistance. Our Victim Advocate team works tirelessly to care for the needs of victims and occupying space in the Family Protection Center assists in the pursuit of facilitating improved outcomes for victims.
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Transparency and Active Cases
Over the last few years there has been an increased call for more transparency in public offices and law enforcement agencies, and rightfully so. For our office, there is often special interest from the public as our work revolves around community safety. Our office frequently is asked to speak on cases we are actively prosecuting, and there is confusion as to why we are not publically discussing those cases. We strive to be as transparent as possible with our community, however, there is a careful balancing act in providing information in such a way that it does not violate our code of professional ethics.
As a District Attorney’s Office, we are bound by the American Bar Associations Rules of Trial Publicity and Professional Ethics as well as the State Bar of Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct when communicating with the public. These ethical obligations are why, to protect the integrity of the cases we prosecute, we do not discuss details of open or pending cases, including those on appeal.
The rules surrounding trial publicity are set in place to protect the right to a fair trial and avoid creating jury bias. It is the responsibility of the District Attorney’s office to protect every citizen’s right to due process.
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Campus Safety Awareness Month
September is Campus Safety Awareness Month and, with Athens being a college town, is an issue we are consistently conscious of. Ensuring the safety of our community is always our number one priority in the District Attorney’s Office.
Highlighted in the 2022 Campus Safety Awareness Month campaign as one of the largest current threats to safety on campus is recreational drug usage, namely fentanyl. According to the DEA, half of the counterfeit pills tested in 2021 contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. Individuals are consuming fentanyl unknowingly, leading to a steep uptick in overdoses and overdose deaths. This increase has had a large impact on campuses nationwide.
In our community, the District Attorney’s Office in partnership with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department formed the SAFE (Strategically Addressing the Fentanyl Epidemic) initiative to address this enormous safety concern. This group is ensuring that campus safety is a key part of the conversation. We are working together to find and implement effective solutions in our community to combat this public safety threat and improve individual, community, and campus safety.
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International Day of Peace
Office teammates gathered together in the courtyard outside of the courthouse on September 21 to observe International Day of Peace. As the group listened to a poem read by DA Gonzalez, we reflected on peace in our lives, peace in the grand scheme, peace on the individual level, and the role peace plays in the justice system.
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Hispanic Heritage Month
Guest Contributor Emiliano Barron, UGA Student
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from September 15 to October 15.
The date of September 15 was chosen by President Johnson in 1968 to “preserve the Hispanic tradition” referring to the fact that many Central American nations celebrate their independence on that day, with Mexico celebrating the day after, on September 16th.
This month celebrates the spirit of independence, love of family, sense of community, and creativity found within the Hispanic community. It serves as a delightful reminder that our city, state, and country are strengthened by the diverse traditions brought forth by people from all different backgrounds.
When DA Gonzalez was elected District Attorney in 2020, she became the first latinx District Attorney in the state of Georgia and the first woman of Puerto Rican descent to be elected as District Attorney in the United States. Much like other Hispanic professionals, DA Gonzalez brings with her the unique perspective and enriching experiences that go along with being part of the Hispanic community. She was able to reach this position in part thanks to the examples set by Hispanic leaders before her and is devoted to ensuring future generations are able to contribute their talents and have an opportunity to excel in any field they choose. DA Gonzalez’s firm commitment and dedication to justice in our community serve as a shining example of why we proudly celebrate Hispanic Americans and Hispanic Heritage Month.
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Stay Connected
For more updates about DA Gonzalez and the work of the DA’s office, follow the official DA's Office Facebook page and the DA's Twitter account @DG4DA.
http://www.westerncircuitda.com
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