A second chance, not a free pass. What Georgia's First Offender Act means for families, and how the 2026 changes affect it.
Coming home is more than walking out the door. A practical guide for Georgia families preparing for a loved one's return.
The Leadership Academy's fourth class opened its year in Pine Mountain, where Executive Director Omotayo Alli and five Academy alumni welcomed them over dinner.
No parent expects the call. A guide to Georgia's juvenile court process, and why families remain the single most important influence on a young person's future.
Where are they? How do we find a lawyer? What happens next? A practical guide for Georgia families facing an arrest for the first time.
Yinia Hernandez-Tavarez, Kenneth “Kenny” Aldana, and Andre Grant spent the summer reviewing discovery, meeting clients at the jail, and translating for Spanish-speaking clients.
The Georgia public defense community mourns attorney James Kelley Kidd, a Bulloch County public defender who devoted more than five decades to the belief that justice should be available to every person. He died June 14, 2026, at age 83.
GPDC's Leadership Academy graduated 21 public defenders in its third year — celebrating capstone innovation, a keynote on preserving humanity in public defense, and a renewed commitment to leadership across Georgia.
The Georgia Public Defender Council has appointed Tamika L. Fluker, a public defender with more than 20 years of experience in indigent defense, as Circuit Public Defender for the Clayton Judicial Circuit, effective June 16, 2026.
Public defenders, social workers, and investigators gathered May 4–5 in Stone Mountain for training focused on representing youth in crisis. GPDC officials also detailed the statewide rollout of the Ladders Program, a 12-month initiative supporting justice-impacted young people ages 16 to 24.
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The Georgia Public Defense Foundation (GPDF) welcomed sponsors, partners, public servants, students, and community advocates to Eagles Landing Country Club on Monday, April 20, 2026, for its 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament.
Katherine “Kate” Mason, a longtime Augusta public defender and former statewide leader with the Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC), was honored at a retirement celebration. The event also included the swearing-in of Lee Prescott...
The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) announces the appointment of Lee Prescott as Circuit Public Defender for the Augusta Circuit.
Mark Alexander, a seasoned civil trial lawyer and former prosecutor with more than three decades of courtroom and community leadership experience, has been appointed Circuit Public Defender for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit.
The Law Office of the Public Defender in DeKalb County recently extended its commitment to justice well beyond Georgia’s borders.
The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC), in collaboration with the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, celebrated the graduation of its 2024–2025 Leadership Academy class—highlighting a transformative year of ...
The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) 2025 Summer Conference notched record-breaking attendance, strategic milestones, and a renewed commitment to excellence in indigent defense.
The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) honored retired Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher during a special reception recognizing his transformative leadership and lifelong dedication to justice in Georgia.
The Georgia Public Defender Council recognized graduates of the GPDC Leadership Academy during a ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol.
Before a room filled with proud graduates, their families, public service colleagues, and community supporters, Omotayo B. Alli, Executive Director of the Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) delivered the keynote a...
The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) hosted its inaugural Youth Defense Conference on Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, 2025. The conference brought together attorneys, judges, educators, and social workers to sharpen ...
During its spring training, Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) welcomed Circuit Public Defenders (CPDs) from across the state for leadership development, technology updates, and the swearing-in of new Atlantic Judicial Circuit ...
Judges, attorneys, court officials and Paulding residents gathered for the swearing in of Georgia Public Defender Council Paulding Circuit Defender Michael Syrop.
The 2025 Georgia Public Defense Foundation (GPDF) Golf Tournament was more than just an extraordinary day on the greens. It was a powerful demonstration of community solidarity, successfully raising crucial funds to support public def...
During a recent biannual Circuit Public Defender meeting Executive Director Omotayo Alli of the Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) installed new Circuit Public Defenders to lead the Coweta, Oconee, and Mountain Judicial Circu...
The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) is launching a new customer service initiative to enhance client relations, communication, and overall service quality.
Dozens of social work professionals, educators, and support professionals from around Georgia explored cutting-edge strategies and best practices in social work at the January Georgia Public Defender Counci...
Executive Director Omotayo Alli called for transforming the lives of Georgians returning from incarceration during her keynote address at the 41st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. event at the Georgia State Capitol.
Governor Brian P. Kemp recognized and commended Steven Harrison, the Oconee Circuit Public Defender since 2003, for his outstanding dedication and service to the citizens of Georgia.
The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kyle Hollomon as Circuit Public Defender for the Cordele Judicial Circuit, effective December 16, 2024.
The GPDC Leadership Academy session on Dec. 11, 2024, included group exercises on promoting a high trust work environment by implementing comprehensive plans focused on building trust and improving communication.
The Western Judicial Circuit Georgia Public Defender Office is proud to announce the appointment of Assistant Public Defender Latasha Prempeh to the Juvenile Court bench.
Rockdale Circuit Public Defender Gina Bernard told members of the 2024-2025 Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) Leadership Academy that the program had a transformative effect on her professional and personal development, e...
The 2024-2025 Georgia Public Defender Council’s Leadership Academy launched in September.
The Georgia Public Defender Council announces the appointment of Letitia B. Delan as its new Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit Public Defender.
Georgia Public Defender Council Executive Director Omotayo Alli received the John Robert Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award during the 39th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Tribute at the Georgia State Capitol.
Gina Bernard has been appointed Circuit Public Defender for the Rockdale Judicial Circuit.
A class of State public defense attorneys gather in Columbus today and Friday for the third session of the inaugural Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) Leadership Academy.
Area public defense attorneys gathered this week for the Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) Leadership Academy.
Area public defense attorneys gathered Sept. 14-15 with colleagues from throughout the state for the inaugural session of the Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) Leadership Academy.
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