District Attorney Bilbo Mitchell retires

After thirty plus years of prosecuting for the 10th Circuit Court, District Attorney Bilbo Mitchell, is now retiring.

“Being a prosecutor makes you feel good because you’re always on the law enforcement’s side of things, and I never have to go home thinking why did I represent that guy or why did I have to do that. I’m always on law enforcement’s side, and that’s always been something that makes me feel good about what I’ve done,” says Mitchell.

A Meridian native, Mitchell has worked around 53,000 cases in his career. He says one of the most special memories about his journey as District Attorney has been becoming close with victims and their families of cases he has worked.

Patrick Stubbs has been working in Mitchell’s office for a year now, and he says he has known Mitchell all his life and that he will miss seeing him in the office. “He has always had his door open and at all times been a selfless boss. Being a new attorney, especially new to criminal law, I’ve always had a lot of questions, and he was there day or night. When I was going through my case load, he would be there to pour over the files with me to help me get the ball rolling and figure out the next step,” says Stubbs.

“It’s not only the people that have worked here with me, but the judges, court reporters, and my clerks in all four counties I serve. It’s just like a big family, and I’m really going to miss them, but I’m staying in Meridian, so I’ll see all these people still I hope.” -Mitchell

In his retirement, he plans to walk, fish, play golf, and visit his grandson in Memphis. His Assistant District Attorney, Kassie Coleman, will be his successor. She will be sworn in tomorrow morning at 10am.