BIBB SOLICITOR
REBECCA GRIST
MEET REBECCA
BIBB SOLICITOR GENERAL
January 1, 2013, Rebecca Grist became the first female Solicitor-General for Bibb County. With overwhelming support from the Macon Bar Association, Rebecca was elected without opposition and ran unopposed a second time in 2016. Rebecca has met the challenges resulting from changes in the government structure, personnel expansion, technology and logistics with professionalism and efficiency.
Since taking office, Rebecca has worked diligently and innovatively to improve the office and better impact her community. She is recognized locally as well as statewide for her involvement and dedication to her profession and volunteer work.
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In 2018, Rebecca was named the Georgia Association of Solicitors-General's Solicitor-General of the Year. That year, she was also elected by her peers to be one of three SGs serving on the Prosecuting Attorneys Council.
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Rebecca spends time in Atlanta representing prosecutors to the Legislature as well as providing input on Victim Services issues on the statewide level. Rebecca works closely with the Prosecuting Attorney's Council as well as the Georgia Association of Solicitors-General concerning all misdemeanor legislation including Stalking and Domestic Violence, Traffic Law and DUI.
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Working in collaboration with the State Court Judges, Probation, her victim-witness team, and a grant writer, Rebecca has been integral in launching a Domestic Violence Court in the State Court of Bibb County. The first grant provided funding for a dedicated Victim-Witness Assistant for domestic violence victims after the defendant's conviction. The second grant is a three-year grant from BJA implementing the Swift Certain and Fair method of probation to participants in the Domestic Violence Court. The program goal is to reduce recidivism by addressing the underlying causes of domestic violence the grant money will help remove many financial barriers to defendants successfully completing probation.
Historical Information
In 2013 Rebecca became Solicitor on the eve of huge changes in our community. Macon-Bibb was on the verge of consolidation. With consolidation, the Solicitor assumed prosecutorial responsibility for Municipal Court resulting in a huge case increase. Assistant Solicitors now attend all court sessions and Rebecca has worked hard to improve efficiency and create better documentation of convictions.
As a result of the increased prosecutorial responsibilities and other changes, Rebecca was able to bring office staffing in line with the workload and significantly reduced case disposition time. The office now has three additional prosecutors, an additional administrative assistant and a new grant-funded victim witness assistant.
Rebecca has been intensely involved in bringing about needed technological advances. Rebecca’s focus on these vital changes streamlined case management in the Solicitor’s Office. Additionally, Rebecca worked closely with other court and clerk leaders to evaluate and choose new case management software for Macon-Bibb County. This allows all participating courts to interface and increase efficiency. Rebecca serves as project sponsor in the ongoing implementation of eCourt by Journal Technologies.
Rebecca demonstrates leadership and fiscal responsibility in overseeing the renovation and build-out the fifth floor of the court house. As part of the renovation, the Solicitor’s Office will relocate to the Grand Opera House. Construction is underway and the move is scheduled to occur this summer. Rebecca has accomplished all of this on a lean budget.