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SB 604

Crimes and Offenses; the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction with district attorneys to conduct criminal prosecutions of violent crimes, illegal immigration offenses, and fentanyl offenses; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Cowsert and 2 co-sponsors

Georgia bill grants Attorney General power to directly prosecute violent crimes, fentanyl offenses, and immigration cases alongside district attorneys, centralizing prosecutorial authority.

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
#crimesandoffenses(criminalcode)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 604

Legislative bill overview

SB 604 expands the Georgia Attorney General's authority to directly prosecute criminal cases by granting concurrent jurisdiction with district attorneys over violent crimes, illegal immigration offenses, and fentanyl-related offenses. Currently, the Attorney General typically has limited prosecution authority and relies on district attorneys to handle most criminal cases. This bill would allow the state's top law enforcement official to selectively take over prosecutions in these specific crime categories statewide.

Why is this important

This represents a significant shift in prosecutorial power structure within Georgia's criminal justice system. It could affect case prioritization, resource allocation, and consistency in how serious crimes are handled across different counties—some with well-resourced prosecutors and others with limited capacity. The change also raises questions about accountability, as the Attorney General answers to different political dynamics than locally-elected district attorneys.

Potential points of contention

  • Local prosecutorial autonomy: District attorneys may view this as federal-style overreach that undermines their elected role and local accountability to constituents
  • Selective prosecution concerns: Concurrent jurisdiction could enable "venue shopping" where cases are transferred to pursue political priorities or inconsistent outcomes based on which prosecutor takes the case
  • Resource implications: Unclear whether additional funding accompanies expanded AG authority, potentially creating competition between state and local offices for investigative and prosecutorial resources
  • Definition scope: "Violent crimes" is broad and undefined in the bill summary, potentially giving the AG wide discretion in case selection

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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