© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New District Attorney for 12th District Sworn In

Matt Trotter
/
KWGS

Rogers, Mays and Craig counties have a new district attorney.

Matt Ballard was sworn in Monday at the Rogers County Courthouse as the 12th district’s top attorney. He said the district’s judges and defense attorneys can count on his office to get things done.

"Certainly from the district attorney's office, you'll have cooperation and support to do that. I firmly believe that justice delayed is justice denied, and we do try to process cases as quickly as they can be," Ballard said.

Ballard wants to rebuild relationships between the community and law enforcement and his office.

"I think the biggest hurdle will be ... letting law enforcement know that they do have a district attorney that will support them," Ballard said.

A multicounty grand jury investigated allegations of misconduct against outgoing District Attorney Janice Steidley. Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton initiated the complaint, which was signed by nearly 8,000 residents.

Matt Ballard is the son of Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Keith Ballard. Matt was the Claremore city attorney before he was elected to the district attorney’s office.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.