Morris County welcomes new assistant District Attorney
By: Toni Walker
Editor of The Steel Country Bee
The Morris County district Attorney has a new assistant DA. Hughes Springs native Ricky Shelton, Jr. has joined Steve Cowan’s office on a joint position with Marion County.
Shelton is a 2006 graduate of Hughes Springs High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas in Denton before attending law school at the University of Mississippi. “I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer, and I always knew I wanted to be in criminal law,” says Shelton. Following his graduation from law school in December of 2014, he was determined to return to Northeast Texas. “I love Northeast Texas, and it has always been a dream to come back. Actually, I was coming back, regardless,” said Shelton. After her returned home, the position with the DA’s office opened up. “I saw this position had opened up, and decided to apply for it,” Shelton said. After an interview with District Attorneys for both Marion and Morris County, and a joint interview where Attorneys Cowan and Angela Smoak, from Marion County, Shelton was offered the position.
Shelton will be splitting time between Morris and Marion Counties, spending the equivalent of ltwo and one half days at each, unless court is in session in one or the other. “It really depends on court,” said Shelton, adding, “For example, this week, I have been in Morris County for court, and will return to court here on Tuesday as well. The following week, Marion County will be in court, so I would suspect to be over there the majority of the time.” When asked his specific duties as the assistant, he first answered “To assist Mr. Cowan and Mrs. Smoak in whatever way that they need.” Shelton will also be the chief prosecuting attorney in County Court, misdemeanor cases, as well as for Justice of the Peace cases.
Shelton still has family in the Morris County area. His father, Ricky Shelton, Sr., is a lawyer in Hughes Springs. When asked about the possibility of trying a case where his father was the lawyer for the defense, Shelton said, “If the situation arises, it will be a challenge I would look forward to.” Shelton added that his father has done well to teach him that being a lawyer is not personal, it is a job, and Shelton carries that belief into this new career. His mother, Rhonda Shelton, who is a member of the Hughes Springs ISD School Board, is also excited about having him home, working to help the community that she has worked in for so long.
Shelton wanted to assure the community that he is here for them. “I am here to help, and hopefully make a difference. I want to earn their trust, and I am extremely thankful to have this opportunity,” Shelton said.
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