For Immediate Release

Friday, August 7, 2009
Stephen D. Kelley Named 2009 District Attorney of the Year

District Attorney Stephen D. Kelley of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit has been named the 2009 District Attorney of the Year by the District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia.  The award was presented on Monday, July 27, 2009 by the District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected by my peers to be District Attorney of the Year,” said Kelley. “Behind every good district attorney are many great employees.  My employees are often the only voice children and victims have in the justice system.  District attorneys have the great distinction of playing an invaluable role in promoting fair, impartial and expeditious pursuits of justice.”

Kelley began his prosecutorial career as an assistant district attorney in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit where he worked for 10 years under the leadership of the late Glenn Thomas Jr. Kelly was elected district attorney of the circuit in November of 1996. The Brunswick Judicial Circuit consists of Appling, Camden, Glynn, Jeff Davis and Wayne Counties. 

In July, Kelley was named the Chairman of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, the state agency responsible for assisting Georgia’s prosecuting attorneys who seek justice with honor in their efforts against criminal activity. From July 2005 through July 2006, Kelley served as president of the District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia. Additionally, he has served as president of the Jesup Bar Association and the Brunswick Exchange Club.  

Kelley was nominated for District Attorney of the Year by the staff of the district attorney’s office in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit where he leads 15 attorneys and 26 office personnel.  In the office, he is known as a true “player’s coach” by his staff.

“He regularly tells his employees how important they are to him and the office,” read the letter that was submitted to nominate Kelley for the award. “Whether he is working in the Appling, Camden, Glynn, Jeff Davis or Wayne County office, he is the first to arrive and the last one to leave. Mr. Kelley is humble and approachable, yet in the courtroom, he is a ‘Patton’ tank armed with the latest technology and a fiery desire to administer justice.”

Kelley was instrumental in developing the Victim Assistance Program in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit. He has also fought to end the cycle of child abuse by helping to build and develop the Golden Isles Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), where he serves as Chairman of the Board. Also under the umbrella of the CAC is the Connie Smith Rape Crisis Center. The Golden Isles Children’s Center is located in Glynn County with satellite offices located in Camden. The Center offers its services to those in need in Glynn, Camden, Wayne, Appling, Jeff Davis, Long and McIntosh Counties. Additionally, Kelley advocated for and helped to develop the drug courts in Glynn and Camden Counties. 
 
“Kelley consistently stands up for the rights of others, from supporting the rights of minority teachers to practice their profession, to seeking justice for families whose loved ones have been victimized by crime,” read the nomination letter. “Throughout the circuit each year, Kelly participates in Crime Victims’ Rights Week ceremonies and presides at candlelight vigils at battered women’s shelters in recognition of women who have lost their lives to domestic violence. His actions have received numerous proclamations from local governments. In recognition of his tireless work for victims of crime, he received the Eagle Award for Prosecution presented by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia in 2007.”

As an additional crime prevention measure, Kelley carries his message to students throughout the circuit by speaking at local schools about the criminal justice system.

“Students love him,” read the nomination letter. “According to them, he is entertaining and funny, but also serious and makes them think about the consequences of breaking the law. Several students have decided to further their education in the field of law after hearing him speak.”

Kelley strongly believes in a multilateral approach to fighting crime and often devotes his time to collaborative efforts in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit. Most recently, he initiated a successful meeting with judicial and law enforcement personnel of the entire circuit to work together on an application for the Byrne-Jag Recovery Grant. The grant will provide the circuit with the funds necessary to expand Drug Court to Wayne County and to provide gang resistance training in Glynn County. The nomination letter explained, “Although the grant is still pending, it is Mr. Kelley’s hard work and initiative that has united everyone toward a common goal.”

The nomination letter continued.

“Throughout the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, Stephen Kelley is known as a true leader, but his reputation extends far beyond the circuit. He untiringly devotes his time and efforts to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, where he serves as Chairman and is an instrumental member of the Council’s budget committee. As Chairman, he leads the fight to protect all of the Georgia’s prosecuting attorneys and their employees. Because of the state’s budget crisis, Mr. Kelley spends a great deal of time in Atlanta at the Capitol working with the state legislature to ensure the financial viability of the state’s judicial system. Even though the legislature has recessed for the year, he has not stopped his efforts to protect the budget for the prosecutors of the state of Georgia.”

In closing, Kelley’s nomination letter remarked that, “Mr. Kelley has dedicated his life to criminal prosecution. He has proven leadership abilities, both locally and statewide, and he continues to lead by example. Whether he is helping his new assistant district attorneys, appearing before the Supreme Court of Georgia, or trying a death penalty case, there is no issue that Stephen Kelley will not spend the appropriate amount of time resolving. His boundless energy is an inspiration for all of us who spend long hours in the pursuit of justice for the victims of crime. The employees of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office consider it a privilege and honor to nominate Stephen D. Kelley as the 2009 District Attorney of the Year.”

“I would like to thank my fellow district attorneys, my office, and my family who all have made it possible for me to be given such a great honor,” said Kelley.