PRESS RELEASE
November 15, 2016-Natchitoches, La.
The position is currently held by District Attorney, now Judge-elect, Van Kyzar, who will be vacating the seat as a result of his election to judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeal.
Harrington currently serves as First Assistant District Attorney and, according to state law, will serve as District Attorney until an election is held in 2017.
“I have served in the District Attorney’s office for 26 years, with four years serving as First Assistant. During my tenure, I have worked diligently to serve this parish by working with all members of our community to ensure that our judicial system is applied fairly and equally to everyone,” said Harrington.
“The District Attorney’s office is the people’s office. The people of our parish deserve a District Attorney who will continue to thoroughly review all facts in a case and hear all sides of a matter before making critical decisions.
I will work to protect citizens from crime by enforcing the law and vigorously prosecuting criminals who deserve it. Also, I will continue to work with Sheriff Victor Jones and other law enforcement agencies in the parish to curb the flow of illegal narcotics into our parish, which is the root of many crimes,” said Harrington.
Harrington stated that he “also understands that people make mistakes. That’s why I support Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts and our pre-trial intervention programs, which can help a person rebuild their life and a become productive citizen.”
“With 26 years experience serving in the District Attorney’s office, I feel that I am uniquely qualified for this position.
As District Attorney, I will continue working to make Natchitoches Parish a strong and safe community in which all citizens can live and enjoy our beautiful parish,” said Harrington.
Harrington also discussed his lifelong residency in Natchitoches Parish and his involvement in the community.
“Natchitoches Parish is and always will be home to me and my family. I was born and raised here, graduating high school at Natchitoches Central and college at Northwestern. After graduating from law school and working at the Court of Appeal, I established my law practice in Natchitoches in 1986. I also served as adjunct professor in criminal justice and law office practice at Northwestern for 15 years,” added Harrington.
Harrington also served in various capacities in civic and community service organizations in Natchitoches Parish. He formerly served as chairman of Natchitoches Christmas Festival, president of Natchitoches Area Jaycees, area chairman of Duck’s Unlimited, member of Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, and volunteer coach of Dixie Youth Baseball and St. Mary’s golf team.
Billy Joe Harrington, 56, is married to the former Donna Byrne. They are parents of 4 children and have 3 grandchildren.
I WOULD ASSUME YOU ARE A BROTHER TO RICK HARRINGTON…AND IF SO…I WAS IN THE OPELOUSAS JAYCEES WITH HIM WHEN HE WAS A TEACHER HERE BEFORE GOING TO LAW SCHOOL…RICK WAS WELL LIKED AND RESPECTED HERE AS I AM SURE ALL THE HARRINGTON FAMILY IS…ANYWAY…BEST OF LUCK TO YOU…LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED…AND IF RICK IS INDEED YOUR BROTHER…PLEASE TELL HIM GERALD EMON OF OPELOUSAS…SAYS HELLO…WE WERE AT ONE OF THE LIGHT FESTIVALS YEARS AGO AND VISITED THE LAW FIRM DOWNTOWN AND MET WITH RICK AND A BROTHER ALSO AN ATTORNEY…MUST HAVE BEEN YOU…HAVE A GREAT DAY AND AGAIN…BEST OF LUCK…GERALD.
We sent this to BJ – Yes – They are brothers