All on Georgia: Gang Prosecution Legislation Gets Final Passage in Georgia
Attorney General Chris Carr says he commends the final passage of HB 1134, legislation that provides the Office of the Attorney General with concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute criminal gang activity statewide. This legislation is reinforced by Governor Brian Kemp’s budget proposal to create the state’s first-ever Gang Prosecution Unit in the Attorney General’s Office.
“The passage of HB 1134 will give us even more momentum in the ongoing fight against criminal street gangs,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “I commend Chairman Chuck Efstration for introducing this important bill and thank all who voted ‘yay’ in support of public safety. I will gladly sign this bill into law, and I also have the utmost faith in the Office of the Attorney General to utilize this new law and the funding set aside in our budget to build a Gang Prosecution Unit that works with state and local law enforcement partners to root out gang activity in the Peach State and protect Georgians.”
Associated Press: Georgia Senate passes bill to boost gang prosecutions
Under the bill, a new unit within the attorney general’s office would have concurrent authority with local prosecutors to bring gang cases. The governor’s budget funds the unit.
Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican from Macon, said Monday that local prosecutors have trouble going after gang operations that go beyond their jurisdictions. The attorney general’s office would also pursue gang activity in prisons, he said.
“No one’s authority is being infringed upon, but we’re bringing added resources where they’re needed,” Kennedy said.
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