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June 16, 2009

Little reinstated as city prosecutor

By Patrick McCreless

Sen. Zeb Little was recently reinstated as Hanceville’s municipal court prosecutor — approximately two months after he stepped down from the job due to a drunk driving arrest.

“The mayor (Kenneth Nail) called recently and asked if I was ready to come back and I am,” Little said. “If not today (Monday), then some time later this month.”

The Hanceville City Council hired Little to be the municipal court prosecutor in November 2008 after the previous prosecutor resigned to return to private practice. As prosecutor, Little received a fee of $500 per month. The court is held twice a month.

“Since his situation is over and he’s dealt with his punishment, it’s time for him to go back to work,” Nail said. “We’ve all made mistakes and the man paid for his mistake ... he paid his fine.”

All cities — unless they have full-time courts — must hire independent judges, prosecutors and public defenders. The job of a municipal prosecutor is to enforce city ordinances and misdemeanor crimes committed within city limits, which includes driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

Little said he did not believe his DUI arrest and conviction would pose a conflict of interest with his job as prosecutor.

“There are other prosecutors in the state who have had DUIs,” Little said. “Only a felony offense removes you from office. I’m not under any investigation ... and I’ve been punished, so there’s no conflict there.”

Little resigned from the Hanceville job in April, shortly after Alabama State Troopers arrested him on Interstate 65 in Jefferson County for DUI, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, violation of the open container law and driving with an expired license.

“I thought it was appropriate while charges were pending,” Little said.

Little pled guilty in May and was given a 90-day suspended jail sentence with one year probation, was fined $625 and his driver’s license was suspended for 90 days.

“The thing about America is when you pay your debt, you’re free to resume your normal activities,” Little said.



‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.

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