Managing Editor
editorial1@thomastontimesRudjard Hayes is running for the District Attorney post in the Griffin Judicial Circuit against incumbent Scott Ballard in the July 15th primary.
To hear Hayes tell it, there’s nothing like good old fashioned experience to lead the way.
“I’m a career prosecutor. I’ve been prosecuting for twelve and a half years,” said Hayes. “I’ve lost count of the number of trials I’ve had. I’ve got experience running a multi-county jurisdiction.
“I originally came from the Coweta circuit which was a five county circuit at one time or the other. I ran four of the five counties there.”
Hayes joined the Griffin circuit in January, 2005 and according to his accounts, has prosecuted more than a dozen trials.
“My conviction rate in this circuit [Griffin Judicial] is 100 percent. Over twelve and a half years, it is over 96 percent,” Hayes recalled. “I’ve never had a case reversed or overturned on appeal. I believe I am the only candidate in this race that has the necessary prosecutorial experience to run the DA’s office.”
The Griffin Judicial Circuit covers Upson, Pike, Spalding and Fayette counties and Hayes says he has a definitive plan for Upson County.
“We’re going to absolutely have aggressive prosecution, first and foremost,” he explained. “In Upson, with the way the economy is, I believe, I know the crime rate will rise. And when that happens, you can’t have the prosecutors in Upson running around trying to take care of other counties.
“They have to be here, on board, helping law enforcement and most of all, servicing victims. That is what is going to happen with me as the District Attorney.
“We need a very aggressive, fair and open-minded prosecutor with experience. I have the vision and a long term plan to aggressively attack and be proactive in regards to all crime activities in the entire circuit
“Especially gang related activity and dealing with the influx of the rising crime rate as the economy starts to dip.”
| 
| 
