A coalition of eleven Georgia sheriffs and several state legislators have publicly condemned the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association (GSA) for pursuing attorney’s fees from Judge Glenda Hatchett.
Judge Hatchett is a documented survivor of sexual battery.
The GSA’s move has drawn criticism for prioritising institutional interests over the dignity of the victim and raising ethical concerns about the legal process.
The controversy arises from the GSA’s claim seeking fees after Judge Hatchett withdrew a lawsuit against former Bleckley County Sheriff Kris Coody, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery in connection with a 2022 incident.
Coody, who resigned following his conviction, had assaulted Hatchett at a GSA conference.
The sheriffs argue that targeting Hatchett, whose assailant was already convicted, is an unconscionable abuse of legal process and sends a chilling message to other survivors.
In a formal letter to the GSA Executive Board dated August 6, 2025, the sheriffs—representing counties including Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett—urged the association to withdraw the legal claim immediately, citing moral and ethical obligations. “Just because you can… doesn’t mean you should,” the letter read.
The stance was reinforced by Georgia State Representatives Viola Davis, Kim Schofield, and Sandra Scott, who submitted a joint letter calling on the GSA to withdraw the claim, publicly support survivors, and adopt policies preventing future punitive actions against victims seeking justice.
Rep. Davis said, “This is not just a legal matter; it is a moral one. We stand with the 11 sheriffs who are upholding the highest ideals of law enforcement.”
The sheriffs noted that awarding attorney’s fees in cases deemed without merit typically protects defendants, but doing so against a sexual assault survivor—especially one whose assailant was a high-ranking law enforcement officer—undermines the ethical foundation of their profession.
The GSA now faces mounting public pressure to reverse its claim and reaffirm its commitment to supporting victims of sexual violence. Advocates and officials are calling for swift action to restore confidence in law enforcement and reinforce protections for survivors.
