Assistant District Attorney Courtney Johnson will be running for the seat being vacated by DeKalb Superior Court Judge Robert Castellani, who is retiring in December.

Johnson, 35, prosecutes felony crimes, including murder, rape, domestic violence, armed robbery and drug trafficking.

Prior to joining the district attorney’s office, she was as a DeKalb assistant solicitor-general.

Johnson, who grew up in DeKalb County, has a law degree from Emory University and an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University. She lives in Lithonia.

She said her parents taught her to take responsibility for her community. She said running for the bench fits in with that teaching.

“As a Superior Court judge, I would have the opportunity to further ensure that justice is accessible to all citizens in this county,” she said.

The election will be in November.