Local lawyer arrested for battery, interfering with an emergency call in Texarkana | These misdemeanors follow a December misdemeanor assault charge against Texarkana businessman

TEXARKANA, Ark. - A Texarkana lawyer was arrested shortly after midnight Sunday for alleged domestic battery and interference with an emergency call, both misdemeanors, according to police reports.

The victim was reportedly bleeding when officers arrived.

Both the district judge and prosecutor assigned to handle misdemeanor cases in Texarkana, Arkansas, and Miller County have recused from the case. The Arkansas Supreme Court is expected to appoint a judge and prosecutor from a nearby jurisdiction.

Just a few weeks before his arrest Sunday, Shorty Craig Barrett, 52, was placed on a two-year term of deferred adjudication probation in Bowie County, Texas, for misdemeanor assault with bodily injury. According to court records, in December, Barrett went to a man's place of business during office hours and assaulted the man with his fists and feet.

The victim in the Bowie County case suffered a broken nose, numerous bruises and required stitches to his face, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Bowie County's three district judges and the Bowie County District Attorney's Office recused from that case.

Barrett pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault with bodily injury Aug. 26 at a hearing before retired District Judge Lauren Parish. A prosecutor with the Texas Attorney General's Office, Geoff Barr, is representing the state.

Barrett was sentenced to a two-year term of deferred adjudication probation. Individuals do not have a final conviction on their criminal record if they successfully complete a term of deferred adjudication probation.

Barrett was ordered to pay $3,469 in restitution to the victim for medical expenses, ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and court costs.

A motion seeking to adjudicate Barrett in the Bowie County case was filed Monday by a member of the Bowie County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. The motion cites Barrett's arrest for domestic battery and interference with an emergency call in Texarkana, Arkansas, as cause for further court action. The probation officer's affidavit includes a recommendation that Barrett be adjudicated guilty of the December 2020 assault and that he be placed on a standard term of probation with a requirement to complete an anger management program.

Barrett is licensed to practice law in both Texas and Arkansas. He is a former candidate for Bowie County district judge.

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