Julia Pierce | July 2, 2026

On June 10, 2026, I published evidence that Linda Smith, the open records clerk at the Marion County Sheriff’s office refused to even process my open records request until I brought a money order and my driver’s license to the sheriff’s office.

I alleged that this was a violation of the Open Records Act and yet the clerk refused to address this allegation and continue processing my request pursuant to the Open Records Act. Therefore, she left me no choice but to make a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General’s office, who assists in mediation of open records violations.

I have been in conversation with the Assistant Attorney General, providing the evidence of my complaint, to include another citizen’s audio recording where she also was told that this was a policy implemented by the sheriff, Derrell Neal, and just yesterday, July 1, 2026, a formal letter was sent to the county attorney Wayne Jernigan.

Here is the letter that was sent.

As of July 1, 2026, Mr. Jernigan has ten days to issue a response to my allegations.

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