Mr. John Stuart Melvin

Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office

John Melvin is a veteran prosecutor with more than 30 years of courtroom experience, having tried over 185 felony jury trials, including more than 20 RICO cases as well as multiple death-penalty prosecutions. His career reflects deep experience in complex litigation, public integrity matters, and high-stakes trial advocacy.

Most recently, John served for four years as Assistant Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, where, as second-in-command, in conjunction with Director Reynolds, he directed the operations and administration of more than 1,000 agents, scientists, medical examiners, and professional staff statewide.

Prior to his tenure at the GBI, he served as Chief Assistant District Attorney in Cobb County, including five months as Acting District Attorney while the Governor considered the appointment to replace former DA Vic Reynolds.

From 2006 to 2012, John was a Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney in DeKalb County, where he led the Public Integrity Unit, handling complex corruption and white-collar prosecutions. Earlier in his career, from 1995 to 2006, he served in Gwinnett County, leading the courtrooms of Judges Hamil, Clark, and Winegarden at various times.

He has devoted extensive effort to the training and professional development of prosecutors, serving as a frequent faculty member in the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council’s Basic Litigation Program, where he has trained and mentored prosecutors at the earliest and most formative stages of their trial careers. In addition to this work, John is a frequent statewide and national speaker on a wide range of legal topics, including trial advocacy, evidentiary issues, RICO prosecutions and complex litigation, regularly presenting at CLE programs, law-enforcement conferences, and professional training seminars across the country.

In addition to his prosecutorial and executive leadership roles, John has been an Adjunct Professor at John Marshall and Emory Law School, where he taught Trial Advocacy and White Collar Crime. He currently serves on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and previously on the Judicial Council Ad Hoc Committee on Related Agencies, and the POST Executive Council from 2019 to 2023.

John began his undergraduate education at the United States Military Academy, but following a brain aneurysm during his second year, he completed his degree at the University of Georgia. He earned his law degree from Ohio Northern University, where he was the Executive Editor of the Law Review. His career reflects resilience, public service, and a lifelong commitment to justice, mentorship, and excellence in advocacy.

John is the author of Georgia Objections at Trial, Second Edition (National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2021).