ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Two progressive district attorneys up for reelection in Georgia are under attack for low conviction rates and allegations of poor management. Republicans last year created a commission to discipline prosecutors after Shalena Cook Jones of Chatham County and Deborah Gonzalez of Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties entered office in 2020. The two promote a holistic approach to prosecuting that offers diversion programs, rehabilitation and shorter sentences for nonviolent offenders. But their offices lost dozens of staff when they took office. Cook Jones and Gonzalez say that has made it harder to do their jobs. Both district attorneys say the criticism is politically motivated due to their support for criminal justice reform.
