ATLANTA — A prosecutor says a judicial watchdog agency is investigating a north Georgia judge for allegedly pre-signing warrants for law enforcement officials.
District Attorney Bert Poston said the Judicial Qualification Commission is investigating Chief Magistrate Bryant Cochran of Murray County over the accusations. Public defender Mike McCarthy said he was aware of the investigation.
Police must explain to a judge why they believe a suspect likely committed a crime before getting a warrant. If a judge believes there is probable cause, he then signs the warrant, allowing the police to arrest the suspect.
Cochran attorney Christopher Townley told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://bit.ly/P8iLKE ) that if the public defender's office thinks there were illegal warrants, they will be "greatly disappointed."
Officials for the Judicial Qualifications Commission declined to comment.
related articles »
What started as a complaint against a Murray County, Ga., judge for soliciting a woman for sex has opened the ...
Conasauga District Attorney Bert Poston will meet with state law enforcement today to discuss whether a criminal investigation should be ...
A Murray County judge who has been under investigation for allegations that he solicited a woman for sex and pre-signed ...
The woman whose accusations against Murray County Chief Magistrate Judge Bryant Cochran initiated a state investigation was arrested last night ...
