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Name:
Heath, Brandon Cleve
Date of Booking:
05/05/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
FALSE OFFICIAL CERTIFICATES OR WRITINGS BY OFFICERS/EMPLOYEES OF STATE AND POL SUBDIVISIONS
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
4/29/25
INDICTMENT FILED
What this means: A Haralson County grand jury formally charged Brandon Heath with making false official certificates or writings as a state or political subdivision officer or employee. An indictment means the grand jury found probable cause that Heath allegedly committed this crime. This moves the case from the investigation phase to formal prosecution.
4/30/25
JUDGES RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM CASE
What this means: Honorable Mark H. Murphy and Honorable Andrew B. Roper voluntarily removed themselves from presiding over Brandon Heath’s case in Haralson County. Judges typically recuse when they have a conflict of interest or other reason they cannot be impartial in the case.
4/30/25
PROSECUTOR FROM PAULDING COUNTY APPOINTED
What this means: Jason Saliba from the State of Paulding County was appointed to prosecute Brandon Heath’s case. This likely happened because the local Haralson County prosecutor also had a conflict of interest requiring outside prosecution.
4/30/25
SENIOR JUDGE APPOINTED TO CASE
What this means: Senior Judge Honorable William H. McClain was appointed to preside over Brandon Heath’s case in Haralson County after the original judges recused themselves. Senior judges are experienced retired judges who can be called in to handle cases when regular judges are unavailable.
5/2/25
GRAND JURY WARRANT ISSUED
What this means: The Haralson County grand jury issued an arrest warrant for Brandon Heath based on their indictment. This formally authorized law enforcement to arrest Heath on the charges of allegedly making false official certificates or writings.
5/5/25
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE
What this means: Jason Swindle officially became Brandon Heath’s defense attorney and notified the Haralson County court that he would be representing Heath in this case.
5/5/25
ARRAIGNMENT WAIVED
What this means: Brandon Heath waived his right to a formal arraignment hearing where the charges would be read aloud, and he would enter a plea. This is common when defendants already know the charges and want to expedite the process.
5/5/25
PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS FILED
What this means: Brandon Heath’s defense attorney Jason Swindle filed consolidated pre-trial motions in Haralson County court. These motions likely request specific actions from the court, such as suppressing evidence or dismissing charges, before the case proceeds to trial.
5/7/25
DISCOVERY EXCHANGE BEGINS
What this means: Brandon Heath’s defense team formally requested all evidence the prosecution plans to use against him, and the State provided their initial discovery materials. This allows both sides to review the evidence before trial, as required by law in criminal cases.
7/23/25
NEW DEFENSE ATTORNEY SUBSTITUTED
What this means: Samuel Tate was officially substituted as Brandon Heath’s new defense attorney in the Haralson County case, replacing Jason Swindle. Defendants have the right to change attorneys, and the court must approve the substitution.
7/30/25
STATE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL DISCOVERY
What this means: The prosecution provided Brandon Heath’s new defense team with additional criminal discovery materials. This ensures his current attorney Samuel Tate has access to all evidence the State plans to present regarding the alleged false official certificates or writings charges.
9/9/25
DEFENSE ATTORNEY JASON SWINDLE, SR. REQUESTS LEAVE
What this means: Jason Swindle Sr. filed a formal notice requesting leave of absence from Brandon Heath’s case in Haralson County for September 8, 2025, through Wednesday, October 8, 2025, for emergency medical leave.
1/8/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY SAMUEL TATE REQUESTS EXTENDED LEAVE
What this means: Samuel Tate III filed a formal notice requesting leave of absence from Brandon Heath’s case in Haralson County for multiple periods throughout 2026, including professional conferences, family vacations, and bar association meetings. The leave periods span from January through August 2026, which could significantly impact the case timeline.
3/10/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY TATE FILES AMENDED LEAVE REQUEST
What this means: Samuel Tate III submitted an amended notice of leave of absence for Brandon Heath’s case, updating his schedule of unavailable dates through October 2026. This includes additional professional commitments like judicial conferences and bar association events, further extending his periods of unavailability for the case proceedings.