Mountain Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant District Attorney George Christian is set to become the next District Attorney for Habersham, Rabun and Stephens Counties. Christian will become acting DA once his boss, Brian Rickman, is sworn in as a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals. Christian will hold the post until Governor Deal appoints Rickman’s successor. The DA’s office is up for reelection next year.
Rickman was appointed to a two-year term on the state court of appeals Thursday.
His term starts January 1, 2016. In a statement issued to Now Habersham upon the announcement Rickman said:
“I am genuinely humbled, and grateful to Governor Deal. I hope to reflect well on our community at the Court of Appeals. This is not just a professional opportunity, but also an opportunity for a more quiet life for my family, including our two young children. We will not move however, and will continue to live here in the Mountain Circuit. We hope to remain a part of the communities here that we love.“
Rickman was one of 11 finalists up for three seats on the Georgia Court of Appeals. The other newly-appointed justices are from Blue Ridge and Marietta.
READ: Rickman Appointed to Court of Appeals
A date has not yet been announced for Rickman’s formal swearing in ceremony. He says he will continue in his current job until then.
“I want to make sure that the people who depend on our office know that I will be coming to work each day and continuing to do work as the District Attorney right up until my being sworn in by Governor Deal,” Rickman says. “I am committed to making sure that the transition is smooth and that the work we are sworn to do in the District Attorney’s Office does not suffer during this transition period.”
