Kay Ivey appoints Mike Anderton as Jefferson County District Attorney

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Mike Anderton DA

Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday appointed Mike Anderton to fill the vacancy of the Jefferson County District Attorney.

Anderton’s appointment follows the ouster of DA Charles Todd Henderson who was found guilty of first-degree perjury by a jury in October.

“I am proud to appoint Mike Anderton as Jefferson County District Attorney. Out of all the applicants, Mike had the most experience, and I know he will work effectively, and with integrity, for the people of Birmingham and all of Jefferson County,” Ivey said.

Ivey continued, “Having dedicated his legal career to bringing justice to innocent victims and their families, and working 33 years in the Jefferson County DA’s Office, I am confident in Mike’s abilities to effectively serve as District Attorney.”

After graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and beginning his professional career,  Anderton went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law. He began his legal career in the Fifth Judicial Circuit in Alexander City, Ala., in 1982 as an Assistant District Attorney. In 1984, he began working in the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and still serves there presently.

During his prosecutorial career, Anderton has participated in approximately 350 felony and misdemeanor jury trials, including numerous capital murders, homicides, drug offenses and property crimes. He was also part of the original “Vertical Prosecution Unit” which was formed by the District Attorney’s Office in 1991, to meet the special needs of victims and families of homicides and child sexual and physical abuse. Since 1987, he has served as Division Chief, wherein he supervises eight Deputy District Attorneys and many support personnel.

“I thank Governor Ivey for placing her trust in me to serve as Jefferson County District Attorney. I am committed to putting my years of experience as a prosecutor to work for the people of the 10th Judicial Circuit in my new role as District Attorney,” Anderton said in a news release. “The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office needs to continue its tradition of stability and integrity. I look forward to leading my office in the pursuit of justice, citizens’ trust and victims’ rights.”

Anderton’s appointment is effective Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. He will serve until the 2018 general election.