Rep. Jordan Ridley Introduces Legislation to Set Compensation Rates for District Attorneys Pro Tempore

State Representative Jordan Ridley (R-Woodstock) recently introduced House Bill 928 to set compensation rates for private attorneys appointed to act as district attorneys pro tempore in the case of an absent or disqualified district attorney.

“Law enforcement officers make the arrest, but it takes a prosecutor to put criminals behind bars,” said Rep. Ridley. “Special prosecutors fill the void when no one else can do it. Setting proper pay rates helps to ensure private attorneys are available when called upon to keep our communities safe.”

Specifically, House Bill 928 would set a minimum monthly compensation to $250 per hour for each hour worked or 90 percent of the monthly salary of the absent district attorney, whichever is less. The DA pro tempore would also be authorized to utilize private counsel, paralegals or legal clerks who would receive a monthly compensation of up to $110 per hour for each hour worked. This funding would be paid through state funds appropriated for the operations of the district attorney in whose place the pro tempore is appointed to act. Expenses incurred by the attorney would be reimbursed by the county in which they were acting DA pro tempore.

For more information on HB 928, please click here.

Representative Jordan Ridley represents the citizens of District 22, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee. He also serves on the Code Revision and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees.

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