Robert James 207 connexions

Under the direction of the Solicitor-General, Robert D. James, Jr., the DeKalb County Solicitor-General's office prosecutes criminal misdemeanor offenses filed in the State Court of DeKalb County. Robert is responsible for supervising and training a staff of 21 attorneys and 50 support personnel. His first-term successes include partnering with seven other agencies to create VALARI, a multidisciplinary team to prevent elder and disabled adult abuse; reinstating the Domestic Violence Pre-Trial Diversion Program; creating the Second Chance for First Time Offenders Program; and expanding partnerships with DeKalb County Schools to decrease educational neglect. He is currently developing Jobs Not Jails, an expansion of the SCFTO program.

Prior to his election to the position of DeKalb County Solicitor-General in January 2007, Robert served as a special prosecutor with the DeKalb County District Attorney's Crimes Against Children Unit. As a member of this specialized unit, Robert spent countless house working to protect DeKalb County children from dangerous child abusers and sexual predators.

Prior to that, Robert served as an assistant district attorney prosecuting misdemeanor cases in Rockdale County, Georgia.

During his career as a prosecutor, Robert's rates of success in trial and on appeal has been exemplary. Robert has personally prosecuted more than 3,500 felony and misdemeanor cases. As the lead attorney in cases, Robert has never lost a DUI jury trial. Robert has also practiced law for the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and has never lost an appeal.

Robert is a well respected member of the legal profession. Robert served as presidcent of the DeKalb Lawyer's Association from 2006-2007. he has also served as a guest instructor at the Georgia Police Academy and Prosecuting Attorney's Council.

Robert is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and was a member of the University Basketball Team and President of the African-American Student Association. After graduation, Robert moved to Atlanta where he earned a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law.

During law school, Robert and three other graduate students formed literacy, after school and summer camp programs in inner-city Atlanta neighborhoods. He also worked as a Deputy Voter Registrar in Fulton County, where he registered hundreds of voters for the 1996 presidential election.

Presently, Robert volunteers with various organizations in DeKalb County. Robert is a member of the South DeKalb Neighborhood’s Coalition, and serves on the board of directors for K.E.S. DAY, a non-profit organization serving the needs of disabled citizens.

Robert is a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is the son of Rev. Robert D. James, Sr., a minister, assistant high school principal and retired NFL football player, and Barbara James, a retired educator. Robert has one sister, Andrea Stephens, and is the proud father of one daughter, Brookelyn M. James.

Robert is a member of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia, where Reverend Cynthia L. Hale is pastor.