Sheriff Asks Residents to Contact Legislators about House Bill 1

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith submitted the following letter to residents to be posted on Barrow Patch. Click here to read the proposed bill. 

Dear Citizens of Barrow County,

As your Sheriff I want you to understand that I believe a majority of most criminal activity is directly or indirectly related to illicit drugs in some way. The dealing of illicit drugs is arguably the most profitable business in our Country. These criminals are poisoning our loved ones and children and making a tax free profit every day.

Your Sheriff’s Office along with all of the law enforcement agencies in Barrow County have worked very hard for many years to enforce drug laws, but sometimes no matter how hard we work the problem continues to persist. Most citizens are simply not aware that when it comes to drug offenders, they sometimes only serve one to two months per year of a prison sentence before they are paroled out or released back into our communities. Doing 12 to 24 months on a 20 year sentence is just a small price they pay for a profitable tax free gain. And remember these criminals are serving this reduced time in air conditioned and heated facilities where they are fed three meals a day, and have their medical needs taken care of by law abiding land owning taxpaying citizens.

One of the most valuable tools we have in law enforcement that really does affect the illicit drug dealers and other criminals who reap the rewards of tax free profits has been our search and seizure laws. These laws are in place and AFTER the judicial processes are completed enable us to take the vehicles, cash, and property of criminals who choose to profit from the illicit drug trade.

"The seizures of these profits have saved you a very large amount of tax dollars."

The seizures of these profits have saved you a very large amount of tax dollars. The following is just a small list of equipment and items purchased by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office with the proceeds seized from these drug dealing criminals through the judicial process:

• Over 10 vehicles the past five years
• Bullet Proof Vests
• Sex Offender Watch Systems
• Tasers and Firearms
• Ammunition
• Laptop and Desktop Computers
• Emergency Equipment for vehicles
• Advanced Training for employees
• Equipment for School Resource Officers relating to school safety

This list is just a small fraction of things we have acquired with seized assets over the years. These items are being used every day and have been purchased with the untaxed profits of the illicit drug trade.

This year in the legislature there is an effort in your General Assembly that will make it much more difficult for law enforcement across the state to seize and condemn the money and proceeds of criminals. It is known as HOUSE BILL 1 and it is 92 pages long. This bill attacks our current search and seizure laws which have been upheld in appellate courts. This bill will do nothing but help those criminals who profit from poisoning our loved ones with illicit drugs. 

The law enforcement agencies here in Barrow County and across the state need your help. As your Sheriff I am asking that you write, call, or email your House of Representative and your Senator and tell them you want them to vote NO on HOUSE BILL 1. 

Your current elected Representatives and Senator value the citizens they represent and listen to your opinions and suggestions.

The following is a list of your Legislators:

Representative Terry England (District 116)
Room 245 State Capitol
Atlanta GA 30334
404-463-2247
terry.england@house.ga.gov

Representative Regina Quick (District 117)
509-C Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta GA 30334
404-656-0220

regina.quick@house.ga.gov 

Representative Tom Kirby (District 114)
18 Capital Square SW Suite 501
Atlanta GA 30334
404-656-0177
tom.kirby@house.ga.gov 

Senator Frank Ginn (District 47)
18 Capital Square 321-CLOB
Atlanta GA 30334
404-656-4700
frank@frankginn.com

Thank you so much for continued support of your Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement.

Respectfully,

Judson K. Smith, Sheriff
Barrow County