THE PROSECUTOR

A Salute to District Attorney David Burton

By Sr. Agent David Liles

There are several reasons why it is hard to make a case in Beauregard Parish. Put simply, the compliance rate is high. This is owed to a strong enforcement presence over the years and also to strict prosecution. This article is a salute to the latter of the two. With that, I would like to introduce District Attorney David Burton of the 36th Judicial District.

David Burton was born in Lake Charles, and grew up in Deridder. He was a 1966 graduate of Deridder High School, and he is a devoted husband of 34 years to Carolyn Burton. Carolyn is also a native of Deridder and has enjoyed a 26 year career as a teacher. They are very proud of their two daughters Amy and Lisa.

Upon graduation from Deridder High School, David pursued his undergraduate studies and Law School at Louisiana State University. He has practiced law in the Deridder area since completing his studies in 1972. David first became an Assistant to the District Attorney in 1975, and in 1991 he was elected District Attorney of the 36th Judicial District..

David is an active member of both the the Louisiana DA’s Association and the National DA’s Association. He is currently serving as the representative of the Louisiana DA’s Association on the advisory board to the Juvenile Justice Commission which is studying ways to improve the juvenile justice system in Louisiana.

With regard to Wildlife and Fisheries, David is an avid fisherman. He is known to spend a good bit of his spare time on the Toledo Bend Reservoir. He understands and wholeheartedly supports efforts in promoting boating safety. He likes to see LWF agents as well as his neighboring Texas agents patrolling the busy waterways.  His concern for the growing numbers of vessels and carelessness of so many operators and our job to maintain compliance is sincere. Those who meet him enjoy listening to him give year-round hints on his bass fishing tactics, for he is known in the area as an excellent bass fisherman, and shows great concern for the resources we protect.

David Burton is a strong believer in the mechanical deer decoy. The system he has implemented into the 36th Judicial District has been very effective. Someone who is caught night hunting in Beauregard Parish is taught a hard lesson in conservation, especially those who shoot at the infamous deer decoy. Several years back, David began tacking on an additional charge to the rehabilitating fines and probations of such violators to help pay for the repairs on any decoy shot in the parish. In addition to this support, in 1998 David teamed up with Sheriff Boliver Bishop and purchased a new decoy that is currently in parish-wide use today.

Although District Attorney David Burton sets the stage for the prosecution of our wildlife cases, he has surrounded himself with a great staff that cannot go unmentioned. Assistant District Attorney Steve Landreneau has been with David since 1995 and is always there for any LWF agent needing advice concerning all aspects of the legal system. Assistant District Attorney Richard Morton has been with David since 1991, and has handled the majority of cases that I personally have had to go to court with. Assistant District Attorney Richie Blankenship has been with David since 1993, and he also handles a lot of our wildlife cases. In addition, Jim McCarty reviews our cases for the elements of the crime and justification of prosecution. Jim is the link between the law enforcement officer and the DA’s office that we rely on to coordinate our cases to ensure a smooth trial.

All of the members of David Burton’s team are Sportsmen and show a great respect for the laws we enforce. Their doors have always been open to us, and we appreciate the time they devote to our concerns. I would personally like to thank District Attorney David Burton for the interview, and thank his staff for their continued professionalism in the eyes of our department and what we stand for.