Superior Court Judge Brian McDaniel, installed in December, gives the oath of office to Jess Hornsby, his successor as assistant district attorney for Colquitt County.

MOULTRIE — A new assistant district attorney in Colquitt County brings experience both as a prosecutor and working on the other side of the room as a defense attorney.

Jess Hornsby, a Brooks County native, was sworn in recently at the Colquitt County Courthouse Annex by Superior Court Judge Brian McDaniel. Hornsby takes the place of McDaniel, who was sworn in for a first term as judge in the Southern Judicial Circuit in December.

Hornsby began his legal career in Jackson, Miss., where  he graduated from the Mississippi College School of Law the same year. He worked as a defense attorney in Valdosta with Bennett Law Firm from 2005-2008, and as a public defender in Thomas County from 2008-2013.

He had worked as an assistant district attorney in the Alapaha Judicial Circuit from December 2013 until accepting the position in Colquitt County.

“We are excited to have Jess join April (Hancock) and Michelle (Thomas) as a prosecutor in our Moultrie office,” District Attorney David Miller said. “Since Judge McDaniel had so much more experience than the other two ADAs while he was with our office, he did much of the heavy lifting in terms of the more high profile cases. Since Jess is coming in with comparable legal experience as his coworkers, all three will be attending specialized training and assuming more responsibility for the more serious cases.”

During the transition more experienced prosecutors in Thomasville and Valdosta will assist, Miller said.

“All three prosecutors are bright young folks and will all grow into the job,” he said. “We are looking forward to another lengthy period of stability in our Moultrie office and the citizens of Colquitt County will be well served by this group of young attorneys.”

Hornsby said that his experience as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor will help him in his new role.

“I think that’s what helps you be a better prosecutor, having been a defense attorney,” he said. “I’m excited. This is my home circuit. This is what I’ve been wanting to do. The opportunity became available when Judge McDaniel was elected.”