Neal announces for Fort Smith Division 1 Judge

Fort Smith Attorney Barry Neal has announced he will seek the position of judge for the Fort Smith Division of the Sebastian County District Court, Division 1, in the May 2012 preferential primary.

The post is now held by Judge David Saxon.

Neal, 61, is a 20‐year veteran of the courtroom with extensive experience in prosecution, criminal defense and civil law matters such as domestic relations and personal injury.

A lifelong resident of Fort Smith, Neal’s decision to run for the District Judge position is deeply tied to his roots in the community.

“I have had the good fortune to live in Fort Smith more than 60 years. During that time I have accumulated a broad body of knowledge and experience in criminal and civil law. I have prosecuted cases. I have defended cases. I have seen both sides.” Neal said in the statement.

Prior to graduating from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville in 1990, Neal pursued a career in financial relations and communications. Neal began his legal career in 1991 as a deputy prosecuting attorney for Sebastian and Crawford Counties, prosecuting felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases. He worked with law enforcement officers and consulted with victims of crimes prior to disposition of cases.

In 1997, Neal joined the Fort Smith law firm Daily & Woods, whose client list included the city of Fort Smith. While associated with Daily & Woods, Neal assisted in the prosecution of misdemeanor criminal cases in both district and circuit courts. He also assisted in defending the City of Fort Smith in state and federal actions.

Neal opened a private law practice in 2002. Since then he has gained experience as a trial and appellate attorney. He is certified by Arkansas to try serious felony cases, including those with punishment up to life imprisonment. Neal has handled 337 felony cases and 158 misdemeanor cases for the Arkansas Public Defender’s Commission in addition to serving as private counsel for a large number of criminal and civil cases.

After graduation from Northside High School in 1968, he attended the University of Arkansas, before transferring to Harding University, where he graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.