Sen. Wiles Post Session Update
5/6/2009

This past week, I had the honor of joining our Governor as he signed two bills I was privileged to sponsor in the State Senate this session. There are more details on the legislation below, but I wanted to share with you the story behind how these issues came to my attention. Both were brought to me by (constituents?) who had become aware of problems in the current court system. One was brought to me by the Brown family, whose daughter was tragically murdered. They wished there were more options to present victim impact statements to the court... and now, there are. Another was a problem in the court system that harmed foster children. Again, we were able to create a law that fixed the problem. Now, it is an honor to serve in the Senate, but there are some tough days. However, when the small child whose case inspired my bill came over and hugged me in the Governor's office, in that moment, I remembered why I ran for office in the first place... to make government more efficient and to help people.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve. Even though session is over, please don't hesitiate to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Sen. Wiles Participates in ALEC Spring Meetings

Sen. Wiles serves as the State Co-Chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council, the largest association of state legislators in the nation. This weekend, he met with key legislative leaders from around the country to share ideas on how to improve our economy while maintaining a small government, low tax philosophy. The ALEC annual meeting will be held in Atlanta this summer, which will not only be another opportunity to share our Jeffersonian principles, but will also provide a much needed boost to our local economy.


Governor Signs Sen. Wiles' Legislation to Protect Families of Victims

Governor Sonny Perdue this week signed into law Sen. John Wiles' (R-Kennesaw) legislation (SB 151) giving family members of crime victims greater options in how they present their testimony before a jury. Under current law, family members are only allowed to deliver a victim impact statement by reading a written testimonial.

Sen. Wiles championed this issue throughout the 2009 legislative session. At the bill's signing, he reflected on what the legislation means to victims' families. "In authoring this bill, I've had the opportunity to meet many families of crime victims who have all told me the same thing. They all want the chance to show a jury that their loved one was a real person, not just another name on the nightly news. They want another option to express how the loss of that person has impacted their lives without the intimidation of court proceedings or the accused criminal. This bill will give families that option. Having a choice in presenting their testimony will allow crime victims' families to make their most impactful statement to a court."

The bill will allow the family to submit an audio or videotaped testimony. Under this legislation, a judge retains the right to review the testimony and decide what to permit in court.

Sen. Wiles joined Gov. Perdue for the bill signing at a Victims' Rights Day Rally in Douglas County, in conjunction with National Crime Victims' Rights Week. He was honored with a Commitment to Justice Award by David McDade, Douglas County District Attorney, for his tireless advocacy for justice in Georgia.

Supporters of the bill were also present, including Claudia Barnes, widow of murder victim Judge Rowland Barnes, Kellie Wiggins, sister of murder victim Marie Richards, Jessalyn Dorsey, mother of murder victim Terrence Greene, and Wayne and Linda Brown, parents of murder victim Lori Brown. During the event, they were honored with the Victims Voice Award for their efforts in seeking justice for all crime victims.

Several of these advocates delivered heart wrenching testimony as the bill worked its way through the legislative process in the Senate and House to reach final passage. They noted that allowing a statement to be pre-recorded would give family members the chance to humanize the victim for a jury. All too often, a jury only sees the victim through crime scene photos. This bill gives families more options to bring the victim to life and highlight the impact of the crime.


Governor Signs Sen. Wiles's Legislation Allowing Public Access to Juvenile Hearings


Governor Sonny Perdue this week signed into law Sen. John Wiles' (R-Kennesaw) legislation giving the general public access to juvenile hearings. Amid strong public concern to protect foster children in the juvenile court system, Sen. Wiles authored Senate Bill 207 to improve the lives of children in state custody and bring real reform to Georgia's child welfare system. Under the bill, extended family members, friends, neighbors and others who are concerned about a child's welfare will have the right to attend hearings.

"Transparency in government is vital to protecting citizens' rights, and the court system should be a part of that," said Wiles. "This bill provides more protection for the most vulnerable members of our society - children under state care - while still giving judges and courts the flexibility they need to run efficiently."

The signing of this bill represents a victory for Georgia's nearly 16,000 foster children. This legislation will open hearings in juvenile courts for abused and neglected children. Judges will retain the right to close a juvenile deprivation hearing if it is in the best interest of the child, and if a written reason is given. Supporters of the bill stress the need for greater accountability for juvenile judges and caseworkers. There are 21 other states that have opened juvenile deprivation hearings to the public without any reports of harm to children.

The bill was inspired by the story of Adrianna Swain, a three-month-old girl in Georgia who was rescued from her abusive biological parents and placed with foster parents. Swain lived in their care for over two years before a caseworker presented false allegations against the foster mother, resulting in the judge returning Swain to her biological parents. After only a short time, the child was rushed to the hospital after being beaten by her parents, suffering multiple internal and external injuries. Swain's foster mother blames the caseworker for exposing the child to more abuse.