Standing for Justice
How the Cherokee and Dekalb County District Attorney's Office Works to Keep Our Community Safe and Secure
The District Attorney is an elected official who represents the state in prosecuting criminal cases. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for enforcing state criminal laws and seeking justice on behalf of the community. The District Attorney works closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate and build cases against criminal defendants, and then presents those cases in court to seek convictions. In addition to prosecuting criminal cases, the District Attorney’s Office also provides support and resources to victims of crime, such as victim advocacy services, counseling, and financial assistance. The District Attorney’s Office plays a critical role in promoting public safety, ensuring that justice is served, and protecting the rights of individuals throughout the criminal justice process.
What We Do:
district attorney for Cherokee and DeKalb Counties in Alabama
Summer M. Summerford
Summer McWhorter Summerford took office as the District Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit comprised of DeKalb and Cherokee Counties on January 4, 2023. Prior to taking office, Summer served as Deputy District Attorney.
Summerford graduated from Cedar Bluff High School and attended Auburn University. She received her law degree from the Cumberland School of Law, the law school at Samford University, where she served as a member of the Trial Advocacy Board, the National Negotiation Team and the National Arbitration Team.
Summerford served as a clerk in the Violent Crimes Division of the Attorney General’s Office before starting her own firm in 2009. She joined the District Attorney’s Office in 2018 and was promoted to Deputy District Attorney in 2020.