Solicitor Candidates Appear At Forum

The candidates for State Court Solicitor of Stephens County square off in a town hall forum.

Democratic incumbent Solicitor Willie Woodruff and Republican challenger Ann Pickett both appeared at a town hall on Tuesday at the historic Stephens County Courthouse in downtown Toccoa sponsored by the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.

Both candidates talked about a number of topics, including handling cases efficiently.

Woodruff said the goal is not necessarily be fast, but to make sure you are getting the right result when handling a case.

“We do research,” said Woodruff. “We look at the incident report. Sometimes we find out there are some lab reports that are missing. Sometimes we just have to wait on lab reports … often times, being quick is not the best thing. It is best to be thorough and be precise and be as effective as we can.”

He went on to say that his office has worked on improving the efficiency with which people are notified about their cases appearing in State Court, specifically law enforcement.

“When I first got there, we had officers that had just got in that were working third shift, they were sitting up and waiting for their turn on their case,” said Woodruff. “Now that officer is on call, so they do not have to sit and wait in a courtroom for their case to be called.”

He said they also have calendar call now, which means the officer does not have to worry about the case being called unless they get a subpoena.

Pickett said efficiency in the office is the most pressing need.

If elected, she said she would install an electronic database system that she used as a state prosecutor.

“I would endeavor to have all that information available electronically, have that information available to the defense more timely, and make decisions regarding recommendations in the cases and I would plan on making that information readily available to support staff so they could communicate as well what the recommendations are in the cases,” said Pickett.

According to Pickett, the system is available at no cost.

She also said she would strive to be available to law enforcement.

“I would have regular office hours that would be set up and work with local law enforcement to make myself available to them,” said Pickett. “A lot of times, answering questions early on in the case can give law enforcement the direction they need to make a decision regarding a case.”

Woodruff has been Solicitor for over two years after being appointed by Governor Nathan Deal.

He touted that experience, as well as his experience as City of Toccoa Solicitor and City of Toccoa judge, along with private practice.

Meanwhile, Pickett pointed to her eight years of experience as an Assistant District Attorney in various circuits and time spent as Solicitor for the city of Cleveland.

Early voting for this race starts on Monday at the Stephens County Registrar’s Office in Toccoa.