James has a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctorate from Mercer University. He lives with his wife and four children in Cumming, Georgia. He attends the Church of Good Shepherd.

James Dunn is an Assistant District Attorney in Forsyth County, where he has been for twenty years. He previously worked as a staff attorney for a judge.

James Dunn’s campaign for Judge of State Court of Forsyth County is his first entry into politics.

Dunn, James 2022 CCDR January 31,2022

 Dunn, James 2021 CCDR December 31, 2021 Amended 

James is a prosecutor. He has worked as an assistant district attorney in Forsyth County for twenty years. As an assistant district attorney he has prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases including murder, aggravated assault, child molestation, burglary, drug trafficking, vehicular homicide, and more. He has also argued appealed cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court. James handles nearly all civil cases in the District Attorney's Office.

As an Assistant District Attorney, James works with local police. He is the sole prosecutor on the Johns Creek Forsyth Drug and Gang Task Force. He also helps train law enforcement to better understand the law.

- James is a prosecutor. He has worked as an assistant district attorney in Forsyth County for twenty years. As an assistant district attorney he has prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases including murder, aggravated assault, child molestation, burglary, drug trafficking, vehicular homicide, and more. He has also argued appealed cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court. James handles nearly all civil cases in the District Attorney's Office. 
- As an Assistant District Attorney, James works with local police. He is the sole prosecutor on the Johns Creek Forsyth Drug and Gang Task Force. He also helps train law enforcement to better understand the law.

Legal Experience

GA Bar

Rolling Stone

James is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record.

James received negative publicity last year for previously vouching for Jose Barrera, a central figure in the alleged misconduct in the investigation of the death of Tamla Horsford. James Dunn gave Barrea’s phone number to an Investigator at the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office after Barrea was fired from the State Probation Office for lying about his relationship with a female employee. Dunn stated that Barrea shouldn’t have lied, but he was a “good guy” with a “good reputation.” This was unrelated to the investigation into the death of Tamla Horsford, and it appears this recommendation occurred prior to Barrea’s misconduct in the Horsford matter.

- James is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record. 
- James received negative publicity last year for previously vouching for Jose Barrera, a central figure in the alleged misconduct in the investigation of the death of Tamla Horsford. James Dunn gave Barrea’s phone number to an Investigator at the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office after Barrea was fired from the State Probation Office for lying about his relationship with a female employee. Dunn stated that Barrea shouldn’t have lied, but he was a “good guy” with a “good reputation.” This was unrelated to the investigation into the death of Tamla Horsford, and it appears this recommendation occurred prior to Barrea’s misconduct in the Horsford matter.

Ethics & Conduct

James anticipates Forsyth County’s population will double over the next 15 years which would cause a surge in cases at the State Court.

He states his experience with the rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and civil procedure will allow him to run “an efficient courtroom that is fair to all.”

- James anticipates Forsyth County’s population will double over the next 15 years which would cause a surge in cases at the State Court.  
- He states his experience with the rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and civil procedure will allow him to run “an efficient courtroom that is fair to all.”

Judicial Administration

James’s website states, “He will be transparent and follow the law, not legislate from the bench.”

He plans to work with community partners to find resources for those in need of rehabilitation and mental health services.  But he will still “enforce and uphold the law and hold all parties and participants in civil and criminal cases accountable.”

- James’s website states, “He will be transparent and follow the law, not legislate from the bench.” 
- He plans to work with community partners to find resources for those in need of rehabilitation and mental health services.  But he will still “enforce and uphold the law and hold all parties and participants in civil and criminal cases accountable.”

Judicial Philosophy

James is a graduate of the Leadership Forsyth leadership program.

James is a board member at Bald Ridge Lodge, a residential program for boys facing adversity at home.

James volunteers in the Forsyth County Schools, The Place of Forsyth, Mentor Me, and Literacy Forsyth.

- James is a graduate of the Leadership Forsyth leadership program. 
- James is a board member at Bald Ridge Lodge, a residential program for boys facing adversity at home. 
- James volunteers in the Forsyth County Schools, The Place of Forsyth, Mentor Me, and Literacy Forsyth.

Community Involvement

James A. Dunn

Rupal immigrated to Decatur, Georgia from India in 1982. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Georgia State University College of Law. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Juris Doctor from the GSU College of Law. He lives with his wife and two children in Cumming.

LinkedIn

He is the General Counsel at the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney, where he has been for the past five years. He has previously opened and served as a partner in two private law firms. Prior to handling private clients, Rupal represented local governments. He worked for two years as an associate at Jarrad & Davis, LLP where he represented the Forsyth County government and its employees. He also worked as a Senior Assistant County Attorney for the Dekalb County Government Law Department for four years. He began his career as an assistant solicitor-general for the Dekalb County Solicitor General.

Rupal Vaishnav’s campaign for Judge of State Court of Forsyth County is his first entry into politics.

Vaishnav, Rupal 2022 CCDR January 31, 2022

Rupal is a prosecutor. He currently serves as the General Counsel for the DeKalb District Attorney, which prosecutes most cases in DeKalb County. As General Counsel, Rupal has prosecuted complex felonies, managed the White Collar/Anti-Corruption Unit, managed open records requests, and handled ethical questions within the office.

Previously, Rupal was a private attorney. His private practice career included both criminal and civil matters. This means he would represent both individuals who were accused of a crime and individuals who were facing a lawsuit or were suing another.

Previously, Rupal was a private attorney. As an associate at Jarrard & Davis, LLP, Rupal represented Forsyth County government and its employees in civil matters. This means when an individual or entity sued Forsyth, Rupal would represent the county in that matter. He also prosecuted county ordinance violations and some misdemeanors.

Previously, Rupal was a county attorney. As a Senior Assistant County Attorney at the DeKalb County government, he represented the county and its employees in various civil matters. This means when an individual or entity sued DeKalb County, Rupal would represent the county in that matter.

- Rupal is a prosecutor. He currently serves as the General Counsel for the DeKalb District Attorney, which prosecutes most cases in DeKalb County. As General Counsel, Rupal has prosecuted complex felonies, managed the White Collar/Anti-Corruption Unit, managed open records requests, and handled ethical questions within the office. 
- Previously, Rupal was a private attorney. His private practice career included both criminal and civil matters. This means he would represent both individuals who were accused of a crime and individuals who were facing a lawsuit or were suing another. 
- Previously, Rupal was a private attorney. As an associate at Jarrard & Davis, LLP, Rupal represented Forsyth County government and its employees in civil matters. This means when an individual or entity sued Forsyth, Rupal would represent the county in that matter. He also prosecuted county ordinance violations and some misdemeanors. 
- Previously, Rupal was a county attorney. As a Senior Assistant County Attorney at the DeKalb County government, he represented the county and its employees in various civil matters. This means when an individual or entity sued DeKalb County, Rupal would represent the county in that matter.

Wants to ensure the highest ethical standards are followed.

Rupal is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record.

- Wants to ensure the highest ethical standards are followed.  
- Rupal is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record.

Rupal supports the timely dispensation of justice. His website states, “Rupal understands that justice delayed is justice denied.”

- Rupal supports the timely dispensation of justice. His website states, “Rupal understands that justice delayed is justice denied.”

Cornell.edu

Supports a strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution. Strict constructionists interpret the Constitution narrowly and often look only at the literal meaning of the words in question, or at their historical meaning at the time the law was written.

Said, “Our Constitution has stood the test of time, through centuries of change. It’s a Jurist’s solemn responsibility to apply the law as drafted, fairly & faithfully.”.

- Plans to be tough on crime.
- Supports a strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution. Strict constructionists interpret the Constitution narrowly and often look only at the literal meaning of the words in question, or at their historical meaning at the time the law was written. 
- Said, “Our Constitution has stood the test of time, through centuries of change. It’s a Jurist’s solemn responsibility to apply the law as drafted, fairly & faithfully.”.

He currently serves as an executive board member for the United Way of Forsyth County and as a board member for the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.

He serves as a volunteer coach for the mock trial team at Forsyth Central High School

- He currently serves as an executive board member for the United Way of Forsyth County and as a board member for the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. 
- He serves as a volunteer coach for the mock trial team at Forsyth Central High School

Rupal Vashinav

- Despite their name, State Courts in Georgia have limited jurisdiction within their county. State Court Judges also have limited jurisdiction over the types of cases they hear, as opposed to Superior Court. 
- State Court Judges hear misdemeanors, like traffic tickets. They also issue arrest and search warrants and hold preliminary hearings in some criminal cases. 
- State Court Judges hear most civil matters that aren't related to land titles, divorce, or cases involving non-monetary damages (those matters are handled by the Superior Court).
- State Court Judges are elected in non-partisan county wide elections and serve four year terms. The Governor can appoint State Court Judges when vacancies arise. 


Forsyth State Court Judge

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Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement