Robert Lane for Paulding District Attorney

10/16/2026

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I've been reflecting on a speech I delivered to Shepherd's Rest Ministries at their annual gala on May 16, 2026.

At the time, I chose not to share it publicly because it was delivered just before Election Day. Looking back, I think that was the right decision.

Now, however, I think it is important that the community understand how I view domestic violence, survivors, victim advocacy, and the role of the justice system.

Everything below is exactly as delivered that evening.

Keynote Address to SRM: delivered by Robert S. Lane, District Attorney

Good Evening.

Dr. Melton and Honorable Members of the Board of Directors, thank you for inviting me to be here today. It is a privilege to stand with an organization that has been a lifeline for so many in our community. The work done by Shepherds Rest is quiet, steady, and often unseen — but its impact is profound. It changes lives. It saves lives.

Your theme this year is courage, and I can think of no word more fitting.
When most people hear the word “courage,” they imagine dramatic moments — heroic acts, bold decisions, or grand gestures. But the truth is that courage rarely looks like that. Real courage is quieter. It is personal. It is built in small steps, often taken in the dark, often taken alone.

It is the courage to ask for help, even when you’ve been told for years that you don’t deserve it. It is the courage to leave, even when leaving feels more frightening than staying. It is the courage to begin again, to rebuild a life from the ground up, one decision at a time.

Every survivor who walks through the doors of this shelter carries a story of strength. You may not have felt strong in the moment — but courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is choosing to move forward in spite of it. It is choosing safety over silence. It is choosing hope over harm. It is choosing yourself.

And that choice is powerful.

The staff and advocates here understand that power. They walk beside survivors as they take those first steps toward safety, toward healing, toward a future that may have once felt impossible. Their work is a reminder that no one has to walk this path alone. Community support — real, compassionate, consistent support — is one of the greatest tools we have in the fight against domestic violence.

As District Attorney, I see the courage of survivors every day. I see it in the moment someone decides to tell their story. I see it when they sit with our victim advocates and take the first steps toward safety. I see it when they choose to protect their children, even when the road ahead is uncertain. And I see it when they begin the long, difficult process of healing — a journey that is never linear, never simple, but always worth taking.

I want every survivor in this room to hear this clearly: You are not defined by what happened to you. You are defined by the strength it took to survive it. You are defined by the courage it took to step forward. And you are defined by the future you are building — one that is safer, brighter, and entirely your own.

Our office stands with you. This shelter stands with you. And this community stands with you. You are not alone, and you never will be.

Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your resilience. And thank you for allowing us to walk beside you as you build the next chapter of your life.

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10/15/2026

Today I'm wearing purple alongside some of the strongest people I know.

As a prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact domestic violence can have on victims, families, and children. I have also seen incredible courage from survivors who choose to come forward, rebuild their lives, and help others do the same.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a reminder that abuse thrives in silence, but healing begins when people are heard, believed, and supported.

To every survivor: your story matters, your voice matters, and you are not alone.

This , the Paulding County District Attorney's Office is wearing purple to send a clear message: domestic violence has no place in our community.

Every day, our prosecutors, victim advocates, investigators, and support staff work to seek justice for victims of intimate partner violence. We stand firmly with survivors, holding offenders accountable while providing trauma-informed support and advocacy for those navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Today, we honor the courage of survivors, recognize the dedication of those who support them, and reaffirm our commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse.

Together, we can build a safer Paulding County.

10/13/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support the 3rd annual Paulding CASA charity golf tournament!

Our campaign team has spent the last several months talking about the importance of protecting our community, but true protection goes beyond the courtroom. It’s found in the dedicated advocates and volunteers at Paulding CASA who work tirelessly every single day to ensure our most vulnerable children have a strong, clear voice.

I am incredibly honored and ready to keep working hard for the place we all call home. Supporting vital organizations like CASA is exactly how we keep building a stronger, safer Paulding County together.

(And yes—our team definitely left a few extra divots on the course today, but we’re thankful the CASA judges measure success by generosity rather than our actual scorecards!)

Thank you to all the volunteers, organizers, and sponsors who made this tournament such a massive success, especially Ms. Amy Hill. We are incredibly proud to stand with you.

Photo Credit - Left to Right, Paulding DA Robert S. Lane and Amy Hill, Community Relations Coordinator for Paulding CASA

10/12/2026

Last Friday was a wonderful reminder of what makes Paulding County special.
A special thank you to Mr. Roberto "Bill" Turner of GTS Contracting Group, LLC for hosting Law Enforcement Day at Reflections Academy in Dallas. Bill has long been a generous supporter of our community, and today's event gave young students the opportunity to meet the men and women who serve and protect them every day.

10/12/2026

Just testing out some new security protocols with one of our absolute favorite community supporters in the back seat!

Our campaign team is incredibly proud of the massive coalition we built together—bringing together ordinary citizens, local business owners, and community leaders from every corner of Paulding County.

True leadership is defined by hard work, clear results, and actual competence in action. We are ready to keep delivering exactly that. Have a fantastic week, Paulding County!

Photo Credit - (Left to right - DA Robert Lane, a well respected community philanthropist (name withheld because some people can't take a joke), and Chief Investigator Fred Berke)

09/15/2026

A Legacy Built by Doing the Work -

Some accomplishments are about today. This one is about the next decade — and the decade after that.

After 18 months of grinding, restructuring, and refusing to settle for excuses or “that’s how we’ve always done it,” Paulding County finally has vertical prosecution. District Attorneys before me talked about it, hoped for it, or promised it — but never delivered it.

We did.

And now, for the first time in decades, one prosecutor handles a case from start to finish. Real accountability. Real consistency for victims. Real justice.

This change will outlast me. It will outlast anyone who sits in this office after me. It will shape how victims are treated, how cases move, and how justice is delivered in Paulding County for years to come. That’s the kind of work that matters — the kind that doesn’t fade when the headlines do.

I’m proud of my office. I’m proud of the Clerk of Superior Court. And I’m proud that together, we built something durable, meaningful, and long overdue — something that had been left undone for decades.

This is what leadership looks like. Not talking about change, but delivering it. Not hoping someone else will fix the problem, but rolling up your sleeves and fixing it yourself.

If you want results, you have to do the work. And we did.

— Robert S. Lane, District Attorney
Paulding Judicial Circuit

09/11/2026

Twenty five years ago, our country lived through a day we will never forget. We remember the lives lost, the heroes who ran toward danger, and the families whose world changed in an instant.

9/11 is a reminder that some things are bigger than politics, bigger than disagreements, and bigger than the noise we sometimes get caught up in. On that day — and in the days that followed — we saw what it looks like when Americans stand together.

As we mark this anniversary, I hope we can hold onto that spirit. We are stronger when we remember what we share, not what divides us.

- Robert S. Lane, District Attorney
Paulding Judicial Circuit

09/08/2026

44 Years of Telling People No -

Last Thursday, I had the privilege of presenting Chief Assistant District Attorney Tom Cole with the Annual Public Safety Award at the Paulding Chamber of Commerce.

Tom has faithfully served our community for nearly 20 years — and he has served the State of Georgia as a prosecutor for more than 44 years. Tom trained most of our office, and he trained me twice: once as my boss, and again when I became his. If you’ve ever wondered who keeps me out of trouble, it’s Tom. He still tells me, “No, Robert, you can’t do that.” He just uses a nicer tone now.

There is no one more deserving of this recognition than my mentor and my friend. Tom embodies the very best of public service, and his impact on our office and our community is immeasurable.

Congratulations, Tom — and thank you for everything you’ve done for Paulding County.

- Robert S. Lane, District Attorney
Paulding Judicial Circuit

09/03/2026

I extend my deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Officer Chris Fisher of the Warm Springs Police Department, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. His service, courage, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

My prayers and thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and his fellow officers.

09/02/2026

Well… miracles do happen. The DA’s Office softball team won its first game of the season.
Thankfully, our conviction rates are still higher than our RBIs — but for one glorious evening, we managed to remember how to swing a bat and run in the right direction.

Proud of this crew. They work hard, they care deeply, and every now and then, they even play a little ball.