Stephen Bradley Is D.A.

Stephen Bradley spent 21 years as Chief Assistant District Attorney (DA) in the Ocmulgee Judicial District prior to his September appointment as District DA by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.

Bradley’s appointment came as a result of former DA Fred Bright retiring in August 2015 following 34 storied years in that position. As officers of state government, a DA represents the state in all criminal cases within the judicial circuits. Georgia’s Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit includes Jasper, Baldwin, Greene, Hancock, Jones, Morgan, Putnam, and Wilkinson.

“I would first say that I am blessed to have such a strong and stable staff and that we have a tremendous foundation upon which to build. Thanks to my mentor and predecessor, Fred Bright, for that,” noted Mr. Bradley.

“But we want to hit the ground running by bringing some strong, proven ideas to our circuit.”

The newly appointed DA said that the Ocmulgee District office had two current initiatives underway. The first is the circuit-wide domestic violence task force which improves services for victims of domestic violence and unifies resources across county lines. The second initiative is the expansion of the accountability of courts for non-violent offenders struggling with substance abuse or mental illness.

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Since graduating from Emory University as a Haywood Pearce Scholar in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in arts and history and completing Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1994 as a Marvin E. Jones Fellow, the only job listed on the Florida native’s resume is the two decades of legal work as chief assistant DA in the district he now oversees. During that time, Mr. Bradley was the lead prosecutor in more than 12,000 felony cases including a high profile multi-county burglary ring involving Jasper County and the prosecution of Dwight Malachi York.

When questioned about Jasper County’s status in the district, the DA noted that there has not been a lot of “serious” crime issues here. He also lauded attorney Brent Cochran as Jasper’s assistant district attorney.

Mr. Bradley is not just an attorney or his high profile job, he is son, brother, husband, and father. He grew up in a Christian community in North Florida as the son of a pastor and a nurse. He credits his upbringing with teaching him community service and caring at an early age.

A scholarship to Emory brought him to Atlanta and meeting his college sweetheart and future wife, Lisa, kept him in Georgia. They have two daughters, Alexandra and Samantha.

“For the last 20 years I have had the special honor of pursuing my passion every day: just and fair treatment of all people,” he said.

“I have seen the heartbreak in the wake of violence, and know how our courts, and especially our prosecutors, can stand up for victims. Their strength changes lives. I have also seen the redemptive power of a second chance and how mercy from the courts sometimes strengthens people.”

Mr. Bradley will seek election next year to the DA position to which he was appointed on September 1, 2015.