Assistant district attorney arrested after run-in with police

ATLANTA — A local prosecutor is in trouble with police after an incident at Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta over weekend.

Atlanta police arrested Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Miya Griggs outside the Yard House Restaurant in northwest Atlanta early Saturday after an argument with police got loud.

"She is the most, one of the most caring and compassionate attorneys that I know," Atlanta Attorney Mawuli Davis told Channel 2 Action News investigative reporter Aaron Diamant on Monday.

Griggs worked as an associate at Davis' DeKalb County law firm until she left to become an ADA in Fulton County last year.

Sources told Channel 2 Action News Griggs, 29, confronted police officers who showed up at the restaurant to question a man for allegedly touching a guest inappropriately.

Those same sources say Griggs smelled of alcohol, was using profane language, and flashed her work badge.

"The language that has been attributed to her that is not anything like Miya at all," Davis said.

Griggs is charged with disorderly conduct, obstruction, and simple battery -- all misdemeanors. Davis said when he showed up at the scene, Griggs did not appear intoxicated.

"She was very coherent," Davis said. "She was very upset that somehow she ended up in handcuffs."

Diamant reached Griggs by phone Monday morning, but she declined the opportunity to tell her side.

District Attorney Paul Howard emailed Diamant a statement Monday afternoon saying, "Miya Griggs has been an outstanding employee with the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. She very quickly has progressed from her assignment in the complaint room to her current duties as second chair in the trial division. She is a soft spoken, hard-working and very intelligent employee. This incident is shocking to her colleagues and to all of those with whom she is acquainted."

The statement continued "I am in the process of reviewing the police report and associated documents related to this matter. Upon completion of my review, I will make a decision regarding Miya and her employment status."

Meanwhile, Davis is coming to Griggs' defense.

"It's our hope that people won't just rush to judgment," he said.

Channel 2 Action News asked Atlanta police for a copy of the incident report to help confirm details of the events leading up to Griggs' arrest. A police spokesperson said the report was not available due to the Labor Day holiday.

WSBTV