Between being sworn in and when he officially starts his job as district attorney for the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit, Jack Browning said he planned on taking the opportunity to relax.

"The calm before the storm," he calls it.

The circuit is composed of Haralson and Polk counties, and Browning is the first district attorney in recent memory to be from Haralson County.

"I think that's a unique situation," Bremen resident Browning said. "And I appreciate all the support I got during the election from the county I call home."

Before taking the reins at the DA's office in Buchanan, Browning, 47, served as chief assistant public defender for the two counties. Earlier in his career, he served as the county attorney for Haralson County, while also practicing law for the Bremen-based firm Murphy, Murphy and Garner.

"My job started unofficially in August, as far as getting ready to take over in the new year," Browning said. "It's a job I've wanted really since about 2006."

The new district attorney enjoyed a heavy turnout from his home county, with almost 72 percent of registered voters in Haralson County showing up for the election, a figure "extremely high" for the county, Browning said.

Browning defeated incumbent Robert "Bobby" Brooks with more than 64 percent of the vote. He was sworn in Thursday, Dec. 27, and began his job on Jan. 2.

"That Haralson turnout means the world to me," he said. "It was like the perfect storm to get me elected. Haralson should be proud that they won it."

Browning, who said he started at the public defender's office because he "wanted more trial work," said he plans to be more visible than his predecessor, especially when it comes to the handling of the cases.

"Unlike the [former] district attorney, when it comes to violent criminals and sex offenders, you will actually see me in the courtroom, personally handling these cases and informing the judges what the appropriate sentence or punishment should be and why," Browning promised voters during his campaign.

He said he will not "give cases away," something he accused his predecessor of doing.

"I'm not going to let these wrongdoers off easy — I'm going to prosecute, and I hope people respond to that," Browning said. "I bring the criminal law experience to the office, which includes handling cases from arrest to jury verdict. I also bring my ability to and understanding of how to work with law enforcement."

The new district attorney also hopes to "repair" the relationship between his office and law enforcement agencies in the two counties.

"I want to work hand-in-hand, not be angry or resentful with each other," he said. "We need to respect what we have for each other."

The Bremen resident wants to bring what he's learned about dealing with people and his responsiveness and fairness toward them to the office.

Browning graduated from the Georgia State University School of Law in 1999 with honors. A resident of Bremen, he is married with one child.

"It's a job I've always wanted to do, and I look forward to serving our area," Browning said. "I just want to help people and create an environment where the victims are comforted that justice will be served."