Gov. Ivey appoints Demopolis native to become youngest District Attorney in Alabama, serving three Black Belt counties

Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday named a new District Attorney for the 17^th Judicial Circuit that covers three counties in the Black Belt.

Rachel M. England, who is 29, became the youngest District Attorney in Alabama with Ivey’s appointment on Monday to run the 17^th Judicial Circuit that serves Greene, Marengo and Sumter counties. She has been serving as assistant district attorney.

“A prosecutor from the beginning of her legal career, Rachel England has a distinguished record of handling criminal cases throughout the 17th Judicial Circuit as an Assistant District Attorney,” Ivey said in a statement. “During her tenure, she has played an active role in confronting crime, from targeting gang violence to rooting out public corruption. I have no doubt she will continue this strong record of upholding the law as the new District Attorney in Greene, Marengo and Sumter counties. England will also become Alabama’s youngest district attorney at age 29.”

England is a Demopolis native and graduate of The University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law and replaces retiring District Attorney Greg Griggers.

Ivey made other appointments on Monday.

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Ivey appointed Ashley W. Siebert as District Judge for the 28th Judicial Circuit in Baldwin County. Siebert, a graduate of Auburn University and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in Montgomery, will replace retiring Baldwin County District Judge Michelle Thomason.

“An experienced attorney with a strong background in criminal and civil proceedings, Ashley Siebert is well versed in the law and the issues of the Alabama Gulf Coast as both a private practice attorney in Mobile and Baldwin counties and as an assistant district attorney in Baldwin County,” said Governor Ivey. “She will serve the people of Baldwin County with honor and professionalism.”

Ivey also appointed Matthew C. Mitchell as District Judge for the 38th Judicial Circuit in Jackson County. A graduate of Samford University and the Mercer University School of Business and Walter F. George School of Law in Macon Georgia, Mitchell will succeed retiring longtime Jackson County District Judge Robert Donald Word III.

“Matthew Mitchell brings 14 years of experience in criminal law as a defense attorney and prosecutor in Jackson County,” said Governor Ivey. “As a private attorney and assistant district attorney, he has handled cases ranging from child protection to drug crime prosecutions to traffic homicides. In particular, he helped many recover from substance abuse and return to a normal life during his eight years on the Jackson County Drug Court Committee. He will serve the people of Jackson County and the 38th Judicial Circuit with great competence and integrity.”