Smith Announces Candidacy For Benton County Prosecuting Attorney

Smith

Smith

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

— Nathan Smith began working as a volunteer in the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the office to which he is seeking election.

Smith, a deputy prosecutor, announced his candidacy Tuesday in front of more than 100 people. Many in the crowd were law enforcement officers and other deputy prosecutors.

Profile

Benton County Prosecuting Attorney

Nathan Smith

Age: 31

Residency: Bentonville

Family: Wife, Elizabeth Reeves Smith, and two children

Employment: Deputy prosecutor for Benton County

Education: Graduated in 2004 from Ouachita Baptist University; 2007 graduate of University of Arkansas School of Law.

Military: None

Political Experience: None

Van Stone, prosecuting attorney, announced Monday he will not seek a third term.

Smith, 31, is the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring.

"I am passionate about the mission of our office -- to seek justice in everything we do and to prosecute every case with integrity," Smith said. "I am excited to serve the community where my wife and I grew up, and where we are proud to call home."

Smith said as prosecuting attorney his mission will be to seek justice in every case, prosecute with integrity and speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.

"That has to be the goal of any prosecuting attorney, and it will be mine as well," Smith said.

Smith said he is running for office because he wants to invest and give back to the community. Smith said he loves the prosecuting attorney's office.

"I've seen over the years how people come to the prosecuting attorney's office as victims, and they have been through a traumatic and horrific experience when they come here," Smith said. "When you come to the prosecuting attorney's office we are not your first stop, we are your last. This is a place where people come after they have been through a traumatic experience being the victim of crime.

"The blessing for us, as prosecutors, is we get to meet people in their hour of need and we get to help them find justice after a horrible event has happened, and in so doing, we also get to help them find healing as well," Smith said.

Stone publicly endorsed Smith at Tuesday's announcement.

Stone told the crowd he met Smith when Smith, a college student, came by the office in 2002 to volunteer because Smith wanted to be prosecutor one day. Smith wanted to learn the ins and outs of the office, Stone said.

Smith would later be a law clerk for the office and, in 2007, he was hired as a deputy prosecutor. He is assigned to Division 1 where he prosecutes felony cases.

Stone said Smith has been involved in dozens of trials as a prosecutor, and has handled high-profile cases.

"Nathan has had the experience in the courtroom that is needed to be successful as prosecuting attorney," Stone said. "His experience in successfully trying dozens of cases and handling high-profile prosecutions will be invaluable. Nathan has the good judgment and experience that will serve the people of Benton County well."

Joe Falcon, a lieutenant with the Bentonville Police Department, said Smith is a good friend, and Falcon is a supporter.

"Nathan Smith has uncompromising integrity and a relentless spirit in the pursuit of justice that I have observed first hand," Falcon said. "Deputy Prosecutor Smith has the passion to prosecute righteously and defend the victims of crime in Benton County."

Falcon, who was not on duty, said Smith also will continue the strong and close relationship that previous prosecuting attorneys have had with local law enforcement agencies.

"Nathan Smith is a hardworking family man who will always do the right thing," said Bart Hester, state senator, in a news release. "It's who he is, it's how he lives his life and it is how he will run the prosecutor's office."

NW News on 02/26/2014