As a Georgia DUI lawyer with over 30 years of experience navigating our state’s legal system, I’ve seen firsthand how the rule of law underpins everything we do in the courtroom. It’s the foundation that ensures fairness, accountability, and justice for all—whether you’re facing a DUI charge or any other legal matter. The rule of law boils down to one point: It's not who you know, but what you know
What Is the Rule of Law?
The rule of law is a principle that says everyone—citizens, businesses, and even the government—is accountable to laws that are clear, fair, and consistently enforced. It’s about ensuring that justice isn’t swayed by wealth, power, politics, or influence, but is applied equally to all. In practical terms for my clients, it means that when you’re pulled over for a suspected DUI in Georgia, you have the right to a fair trial, competent representation, and an impartial judge—rights rooted in landmark cases like Gideon v. Wainwright, which guaranteed counsel for indigent defendants.
The rule of law isn’t just a legal buzzword; it’s the glue that holds a free society together. It protects your rights, ensures the enforcement of laws, provides public safety, and maintains trust in institutions like our courts, and allows our economic system to function efficiently. Without it, we’d slide into chaos—where might makes right, and justice becomes a privilege for the few.
The Benefits of a Society Governed by the Rule of Law
A society governed by the rule of law reaps tangible benefits. First, it promotes fairness. Whether you’re a defendant in a DUI case or a victim seeking justice, you can trust that the process will be impartial, guided by evidence and law, not favoritism. Second, it fosters stability. Businesses thrive, communities grow, and people feel secure when they know the legal system is predictable and reliable. Third, it upholds accountability. From police officers to elected officials, no one is above the law—a principle that’s essential in a democracy like ours.
In Georgia, this means that DUI laws are enforced consistently, trials are conducted fairly, and penalties reflect the offense, not the offender’s status. It’s why I fight so hard for my clients: the rule of law guarantees them a defense, no matter the charge.
Existential Threats to the Rule of Law
Despite its importance, the rule of law faces existential threats—challenges that could erode its foundation. Corruption, political interference, and unequal access to justice are perennial dangers. But one threat often flies under the radar: low pay for the people who uphold the system—judges, prosecutors, and public defenders. When these key players are undercompensated, the system suffers, and justice becomes a luxury good. We want the best and the brightest in the legal field on the bench and in the courtroom.
Imagine a Georgia Supreme Court Justice earning $186,000 a year—almost $40k less than a first-year associate at a top Atlanta law firm like King & Spalding or Alston & Bird, where starting salaries hit $225,000 to $235,000 for law school graduates. Or consider a Superior Court Judge in a rural county making less than $154,000, while the average lawyer at one of Georgia’s top twenty largest firms pulls in $450,000 to $550,000 annually. This isn’t just an anomaly; it’s a systemic flaw that risks destabilizing the rule of law. Let’s break down why.
A Supreme Court Justice Earns Less Than a First-Year Associate: A System in Crisis
In Georgia, the numbers tell a stark story. A State Supreme Court Justice earns $186,000 per year, according to the National Center for State Courts. Meanwhile, first-year associates at the state’s top twenty largest law firms—think Troutman Sanders, Ogletree Deakins, or Kilpatrick Townsend—start at $225,000, with potential bonuses pushing their total compensation even higher. These firms, concentrated in Atlanta, dominate the legal market, employing hundreds of lawyers and generating massive revenue. The average compensation per lawyer in these firms hovers around $500,000, factoring in both associates and high-earning partners who can exceed $1 million annually.
Compare that to the public sector. Superior Court Judges start at a base salary of $142,000, with county supplements boosting some to $222,000 in urban areas like DeKalb County. District Attorneys average $110,000, while Public Defenders scrape by at $95,000. These figures aren’t just lower—they’re dwarfed by private sector pay, creating a chasm that’s hard to ignore.
When a Supreme Court Justice—a legal titan responsible for shaping Georgia’s jurisprudence—earns less than a rookie lawyer fresh out of law school, it signals a crisis. The rule of law depends on attracting and retaining top talent to the bench and public service roles. If the financial incentive pulls the best minds to private practice instead, we’re left with a judiciary and prosecution-defense system that over-time may lack the experience, skill, and dedication needed to uphold justice. Public service and sacrifice are noble endeavors don't get me wrong, and it's not always about the money. Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs’ recent resignation from the Georgia Supreme Court, effective March 31, 2025, to return to private practice, underscores this risk. He is not the first. He is in a long line of Justices with plenty of career left who leave the bench for private practice because for instance their kids are starting college. If even our highest court justices are lured away by private practice, what does that say about the system’s stability? You want your Supreme Court Justices retiring on the bench for a stable legal system.
Why Low Salaries Threaten the Rule of Law
Low salaries for State and Superior Court Justices, District Attorneys, and Public Defenders threaten the rule of law in Georgia for several interconnected reasons. Let’s dive into the research and see how this plays out.
1. Judges: The Rural-Urban Pay Gap and Talent Drain
Superior Court Judges in Georgia face a pay range from $142,000 to $222,000, depending on county supplements. In rural areas, salaries often stagnate below $154,000, while urban judges in places like Augusta or Atlanta can hit the higher end. A 2023 Judicial Council survey found that 81% of these judges see this disparity as unfair, deterring qualified lawyers from taking the bench. Meanwhile, Supreme Court Justices at $186,000 are competitive with average lawyer pay ($104,889, per Indeed) but pale next to top private sector earnings ($256,591 total pay in Atlanta, per Glassdoor).
This gap drives a talent drain. Experienced lawyers who could serve as judges—bringing wisdom and impartiality—opt for lucrative private sector roles instead. When Chief Justice Boggs steps down, it’s a red flag: if even a Supreme Court Justice finds private practice more appealing, how can we retain talent in lower courts? Low pay risks filling benches with less talented or less capable judges or worse idealogues or the power hungry along side those who sacrifice salary for public service, potentially leading to inconsistent rulings, delayed cases, or biased decisions—all of which erode the fair application of law. Servicing as a Judge or Justice, should not be a sacrifice like joining the miltary. It should be the pinnacle of a successful legal career.
2. District Attorneys: Understaffing and Case Quality
District Attorneys, tasked with prosecuting crimes like DUI, earn around $110,000 on average. That’s decent compared to the state’s average lawyer salary but falls short of private sector potential, where top litigators in Atlanta can exceed $256,000 with bonuses. This disparity can lead to understaffed DA offices, especially in rural counties where budgets are tight. Overworked prosecutors may rush cases, plea out serious crimes too leniently, or miss critical evidence—compromising public safety and the rule of law’s promise of accountability.
3. Public Defenders: The Right to Counsel at Risk
Public Defenders, averaging $95,000, are the backbone of Gideon v. Wainwright’s mandate: every defendant deserves representation. Yet their pay lags far behind private sector peers. In Georgia, where DUI cases can hinge on technical defenses—like challenging breathalyzer accuracy—underpaid public defenders may lack the resources or experience to mount a robust defense or spend the time to ensure appeals are thoroughly researched and establish good case precedent. High caseloads and low morale, fueled by salaries dwarfed by the $500,000 average at top firms, threaten the quality of representation. If indigent defendants, including those facing DUI charges, don’t get fair trials, the rule of law’s promise of equality crumbles.
4. The Ripple Effect: Unequal Justice
The rural-urban pay gap for judges (less than $154,000 vs. $222,000) creates a two-tiered justice system. Rural courts, already stretched thin, may see less qualified judges, while urban areas retain better talent. This disparity hits DUI defendants hard—your case’s outcome could depend on where you’re charged, not just the facts. It can also cause plaintiff's lawyers to forum shop where they file their cases risking disproportionate jury verdicts. Add underpaid prosecutors and defenders, and the system risks becoming a patchwork of unequal justice, undermining public trust.
Existential Threats Amplified by Low Pay
Low salaries amplify broader threats to the rule of law. Talent flight is the most immediate: when private firms offer $450,000 to $550,000 versus $186,000 for a Supreme Court Justice, the best legal minds may never consider public service. Judicial independence also suffers—underpaid judges might be tempted by external pressures or future private sector offers, subtly skewing their impartiality. Access to justice falters when public defenders can’t keep up, leaving defendants without the defense they’re entitled to. And public confidence erodes when people see a system that can’t compete with private wealth, raising doubts about its fairness.
In DUI cases, this hits close to home. A rushed prosecutor might overcharge, an overworked public defender might miss a key defense, or an inexperienced judge might misapply the law—all because low pay drove talent elsewhere. The rule of law demands better.
What Can Be Done?
Georgia’s legislature is waking up to this crisis. A recent bill aims to boost judge pay, tying top salaries to federal levels—potentially raising Supreme Court Justices to over $223,000 and reducing rural-urban disparities. It’s a start, but it’s not enough. We need competitive salaries for District Attorneys and Public Defenders too—say, $150,000 to $200,000—to match their critical roles. Judges should be making the equivalent of successful lawyers in their community. This translates to about $500,000 for judges and $1,000,000 a year for appellate judges just to keep track with the private sector. Enhanced benefits, like better retirement plans, could also offset the private sector’s allure. The cost—estimated at $21 million for judge raises alone—is a small price to pay for a justice system that works.
Georgia's highest paid public employee is UGA Coach Kirby Smart. He makes $13 million dollars a year plus bonuses. Coach Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the State. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was over $600 billion dollars in Georgia in 2023. This would not be possible without a stable and predictable legal system. Using Real GDP numbers in Georgia arguably, Georgia Supreme Court justices should make more than Coach Smart.
A Call to Protect the Rule of Law
As a Georgia DUI lawyer, I’ve built my practice on the belief that the rule of law matters. It’s what gives my clients a fighting chance, whether they’re facing a first-time DUI or a complex case. But when a Supreme Court Justice earns less than a first-year associate at a top firm, and when judges, prosecutors, and public defenders are paid a fraction of their private sector peers, we’re not just underpaying people—we’re undermining justice itself. Low salaries threaten the talent, fairness, and trust that the rule of law depends on. Georgia can’t afford to let this foundation crack. It’s time to invest in our courts, our prosecutors, and our defenders—because without them, the rule of law is just words on paper.
If you’re facing a DUI charge in Georgia, know that I’m here to fight for your rights within this system. Contact me at George C. Creal, Jr., P.C., Trial Lawyers, and let’s uphold justice together—one case at a time.
Contact George C. Creal, Jr. for Expert DUI Defense
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Atlanta or elsewhere in Georgia, don’t face the legal system alone. With over 25 years of experience defending DUI cases, I have the knowledge and expertise to navigate complex issues like those raised in Dias v. State. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
George C. Creal, Jr. is a trial lawyer specializing in DUI and criminal defense in Georgia. This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Disclaimer
The information in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please consult with an attorney to discuss your specific legal situation.