What are the responsibilities in the role of district attorney (D.A.)?

Pretty much prosecuting any criminal activity that takes place within the circuit. We also prosecute child support cases on behalf of the Department of Human Resources in all three counties, Marengo, Sumter and Greene Counties.

How long have you been the D.A. and how long are your elected terms?

I went into office January of 2003. The terms last six years.

Why did you decide to run for the D.A. position for the district?

I was an assistant D.A. for Marengo County at the time Davie Watkins decided that he wanted to retire. I had enjoyed doing it part time and had really appreciated the time that Mr. Watkins had put in, really put the office in good shape. I had some interested in it. I realized that I enjoyed it. I felt like it was a good way to give to the community and just decided that it was something I wanted to do.

What are some of the highlights of your job since you have been in office?

Unfortunately for me some of the highlights could be taken another way by most folks, because my highlights of my job are prosecuting some of the work cases. It is always good to get justice for my victims, but by the same token usually in those cases somebody has lost their life. It is kind hard of to look at some of my good cases as highlights.

I think probably the most gratifying thing that I have accomplished so far, would be that we maintain a very good, efficient way of getting our cases prosecuted in all three counties. I feel like we have our dockets in all three counties in good shape. We set things up so we can efficiently handle cases in all three counties. That is probably the most gratifying thing we have done. I have had a lot of success in some pretty important cases, but I think by and large the thing that I am most proud of is that we have everything handled like it supposed to be handled. I have a good staff, and our cases get handled efficiently, they don’t hang around. Our cases get dealt with and our defendants get dealt with. They don’t sit around in jail months on end waiting on trails.

Do you have certain times of year where you have a busier caseload than others?

Spring and fall are the busiest. We have a term of court in all three counties in the spring, and then we have grand juries that we swear in during the spring. The same is true in the fall, with a term of court in all three counties.

Do you plan to run again for the position?

I would say that right know my inclination would be yes. I have enjoyed it up to this point and I don’t see anything changing my mind between now and 2010, but you never know what could come along. There is a lot that could happen that might be able to change my mind, but fight now I would say absolutely. That is my plan barring something unforeseen.