CONNIE MITCHELL

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Miller and Lafayette Counties

Connie Mitchell was initially offered a position as a prosecutor for Juvenile Court in 1996, and she quickly realized prosecuting crimes was her true calling. “I find the work challenging, yet rewarding,” Connie says. “My daily inspiration on the job is in working to make our community a better and safer place by seeking justice for the victims of crime. In my experience, punishing those responsible not only makes our community safer but also often helps victims get closure and begin the healing process.”

During one of Connie’s more challenging cases, she had a young victim that was being cross-examined pretty aggressively about whether or not he was telling the truth. “When I was given a chance to question him again, I only had two questions. I asked the victim what happens when you lie and, he replied, ‘You go down ‘there,’ pointing to the devil.’ When I asked what happens when you tell the truth, he answered, ‘You get to go to Heaven and live with Jesus,” Connie says. “There wasn’t a dry eye on the jury, and, of course, they believed him! For this case, I didn’t get the conviction – my victim did.”

Because Connie feels as though she has had many blessings in her life, she likes to take on the causes of the vulnerable. “I have the attitude that my struggles are the struggles of others – especially children and animals. I contribute to and support multiple charities and causes and, fortunately, have a career that allows me to offer direct help to those who may be struggling as a victim of crime,” Connie says. “Again, it’s all about trying to make a positive difference in our community! If I were going to offer any advice to someone, it would be to fight for what you know is right and fight for those who can’t.”

Connie tries to live by the sayings that grace her home and office signs. “The first one says, ‘At the end of the day, you have traded a day in your life for what you leave behind. So let it be something good.’ The second says, ‘Focus on what you can change; let go of what you cannot.’ I try each day to avoid spending my time and energy being unproductive,” Connie says. “I always strive to be productive and positive!”

Connie was born in Texarkana and was raised here for most of her life. A 1982 graduate of Texas High, she received a bachelor’s degree from East Texas State University (now TAMU-Texarkana) and a law degree from The University of Arkansas at Little Rock. However, Connie is most proud of the successes her daughter has achieved in school and now in her post-graduate career. “Co-parenting can be tough, but her dad and I worked hard, and our daughter is proof of that,” Connie says. “She is an amazing young woman!”

Family is important to Connie. She considers her immediate family to include “her guy,” Ken, a retired Marine. He just retired from the civilian workforce this past summer. “There’s also my daughter, Christian, who is engaged to a fine young man named Morgan and currently lives in Austin, Texas. There’s also Ken’s daughter, Julianna, and her husband, Jacob, who live in Lakeland, Florida,” Connie says. “We don’t have any grandkids yet, but we have our ‘other’ kids – my animals. I have four dogs, Max, Maggie, Nora, and Ringo, and two cats, Jack and Bubbles. All my animals are rescues, which is another cause that’s important to me.”

Connie looked up to her mother, Alice, for most of her adult life. “She is a true inspiration. She’s always been strong, independent, and incredibly resilient through every challenge life has thrown at her,” Connie says. “Mom is also feisty, funny, and a great friend. She’s the perfect example of what every mother should strive to be. Love you, Mom!”

Like so many others during the pandemic, Ken and Connie bought a travel trailer, and they try to get out and explore Arkansas and the surrounding areas whenever they can. “That RV gets pretty crowded when we take all our critters along!” Connie says, “Recently, though, a lot of my free time is spent on my campaign for Prosecutor. I’m trying to get out as much as possible to meet my fellow citizens of Miller and Lafayette Counties.”

Connie’s long-term goals include continuing her legal career as the elected Prosecutor for Miller and Lafayette Counties. “I have been fortunate to be a member of this great team for over 20 years and would like the opportunity to lead the team,” Connie says. “The election is in May 2022. Be sure to vote for me!”

In the end, Connie would like to be remembered as someone who made a positive difference in the lives of her family and community. “There’s too much negativity in the world already, and I don’t have any intention of adding to it,” Connie says.