Cobb’s newest district attorney made history on Monday when she became the first black woman to serve as the county’s top prosecutor.
Joyette Holmes was sworn into office at Cobb County Superior Court by Gov. Brian Kemp, who in June appointed her to the position. She previously served as the county's chief magistrate judge before succeeding Vic Reynolds as district attorney.
“This moment of being sworn in as the next district attorney for the Cobb Judicial Circuit will not be taken for granted,” Holmes said in a press release from the DA’s Office. “I will work tirelessly to honor Gov. Kemp’s confidence in me to do the job, to make proud the advocates in my life who always remind me, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and to gain the support and trust of all whom I come to meet throughout the journey.”
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Holmes takes over for Reynolds, who was appointed by Kemp to serve as director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Chief Assistant District Attorney John Melvin served as acting Cobb district attorney until Kemp announced Holmes as his appointment. He is now at the GBI serving as Reynolds’ chief of staff.
Holmes will serve out the rest of Reynolds' term, which expires in December 2020. She previously told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she intends to run for her first, four-year term as district attorney next year. Before becoming a judge, Holmes served as a prosecutor under Reynolds and Cobb County Solicitor General Barry Morgan. She's also operated her own law firm.
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Holmes, who grew up in Valdosta, serves on the Board of Directors for MUST Ministries and the Cobb Community Foundation. She is a member of the Marietta Rotary Club and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is married and has two daughters with her husband Bridges Holmes.
Holmes said she was looking forward to working with the men and women of the District Attorney’s Office “who have vowed to continue the task of keeping our communities safe.”
“I am also excited to collaborate with organizations in the community who are committed to being proactive in fight against crime and those willing to be a resource when appropriate,” she added.
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