STORY BY ANDREW GARNER / THE ATMORE ADVANCE

Atmore-born Steve Marshall was appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley as the state’s new attorney general on Feb. 10.

Marshall replaces former Attorney General Luther Strange, who was appointed to fill Jeff Session’s seat on the U.S. Senate after Session’s confirmation as the nation’s 84th attorney general on Feb. 8. Marshall took the oath of office on Monday.

“I am deeply humbled to have this opportunity,” Marshall said in a released statement. “Thank you to Gov. Bentley for this appointment, and I promise the people of Alabama that I will serve them with honor and integrity.”

Marshall, 52, has been the Marshall County District Attorney since 2001.

In August 2001, Marshall was appointed to serve the remainder of the retiring Ronald Thompson’s term as District Attorney of Marshall County (27th Judicial District). When he was sworn in at age 36, Marshall became the second youngest district attorney in Alabama. He has since been re-elected unopposed in 2004, 2010 and 2016.

As district attorney, Marshall was a hands-on prosecutor, trying defendants for crimes ranging from DUIs to murder. He has prosecuted people with stature, including those who have committed ethics violations, cop killers and molesters who prey on children.

He also led efforts to fight crime through partnerships and policies at the community and the state level.

 In Marshall County, he created a major crimes unit, a computer forensics lab and a crystal meth task force. He also was instrumental in state legislation that established a system to track purchases of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products, which are ingredients of meth. This system is credited with a 90 percent reduction in the number of meth labs in Marshall County over the past five years.

Marshall said he will apply the same principles he used as a district attorney in Marshall County as the new AG.

“I will enforce the law fairly, I will stand up for victims, and I will do the hard work of attacking the underlying problems that threaten the safety of our communities,” he said. “As Attorney General, a top priority will be to maintain an effective working relationship with our local law enforcement. Sheriffs, district attorneys, police and investigators are the front lines of public safety and we will support them in every way possible.”

Marshall is married to the former Bridgette Gentry. They have one daughter, Faith Marshall, 20, who is a student at Snead State Community College and plans to attend Jacksonville State University.