Tom Young to seek Second District judicial seat

Tom Young, an attorney and prosecutor will seek the Division 5 circuit judge seat in the Second Judicial District. The seat is held by Judge Ralph Wilson, who has announced he will retire and not run for re-election.

“I am excited about this great opportunity to serve the people of the Second Judicial District. I feel my more than 27 years of legal experience will be a benefit to the circuit court and will help continue the tradition of excellence exemplified by our Judiciary.”

The non-partisan judicial elections are set to coincide with the March 3rd, 2020 primary elections.

Born in Jonesboro and raised in Helena, Young attended law school at the University of Arkansas before beginning his private practice career in 1992. In 1994, he joined the Rees Law Firm as lead attorney for the firm’s West Memphis office and in 2004 Young became founding partner of the Hale, Holitik and Young Law Firm (now Hale, Young and Partlow).

“Having been raised by a single mother, in one of the poorest parts of our state, I felt driven to push myself to one day be able to give back. After passing the bar I have made it a point to volunteer countless hours each year helping people in need of legal services,” Young said.

In 2013, Young became a deputy prosecuting attorney. During his time as a prosecutor, Young has focused on cases involving violent crime, crimes against children and habitual offenders.

“As a father, I just didn’t like what our area was becoming and I felt that my experience could help make our neighborhoods safer,” Young said.

In addition to serving as a prosecutor Young is also a certified law enforcement instructor, helping train local police on how to handle cases from arrest through trial to reduce evidence damage and technicality acquittals.

The Second Judicial District includes Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett counties. Former U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer has announced plans to seek the Division 3 seat in the Second Judicial District. Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington says he will seek a newly created Division 12 seat in the Second Judicial District.