Mississippi Ninth Circuit prosecutors take their oaths of office

Judge James Chaney administered the oath of office today to the Ninth Circuit Court’s slate of prosecuting attorneys.

The four sworn in were District Attorney Ricky Smith and Assistant District Attorneys Branan Southerland, Michael Warren and Liem Walker.

“This is great way to start the New Year,” Chaney said, as the attorneys took their oath.

Smith was the first of the four to take the oath, his wife, Lisa, standing by his side. Smith is beginning his fourth term as DA.

“This is the job of a life time for me, a true dream job,” Smith said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Around this same time last year, Smith was charged with the task of finding three new ADAs as three former ADAs were elected and appointed to other offices or started new careers.

“I lost all three of my ADAs in a 45-day window,” Smith said.

Former ADA Bert Carraway started a new career as an assistant U.S. attorney. Marcie Southerland was elected as a judge to the Warren County Court and Angela Carpenter was appointed as Municipal Court judge.

Second to be sworn in was Southerland. By his side was his wife, Brooke. Southerland is the son of County Court Judge Marcie Southerland, who was in attendance watching as her son was sworn in to her former position.

“I am very proud of him,” the judge said. “It is always about community service. That is how Branan was raised and how I was raised, and we are continuing that family tradition.”

Warren was third to take his oath, his wife, Rashida, standing by his side. Warren has been practicing law since 2004, concentrating on criminal defense and civil litigation.

“I thank God for this opportunity to serve the citizens of Warren, Sharkey and Issaquena Counties for another term,” he said. “I look forward to help protect the citizens of this area as assistant district attorney.”

Last to be sworn in was Walker. By her side was her mother Phung Bell and great niece Carissa Peña. Walker has had a private criminal defense practice since 2003. She was appointed Sharkey County public defender in 2008, and has also served as an advocate for children and practiced in youth court.

“This is a wonderful moment,” Walker said. “I have been in this new position for about a year now, and I look forward serving for the next four years as assistant district attorney.”