LEGAL SERVICES
Sidney Preston says his new role as assistant district attorney has been difficult but fulfilling. DESSISLAVA YANKOVA/FILE
Preston hired as new Sumner assistant DA By Dessislava Yankova Sumner County Publications
Sidney Preston didn't know his attorney act during a mock trial at age 14 would lead to a career. "I liked the legal process," Preston, 30, said. "I liked questioning the witnesses. It was interesting and exciting." Preston was sworn in on Aug. 1 as Sumner's newest assistant district attorney to represent the state in various civil and criminal cases. He replaces Wayne Hyatt, who retired in late July after 32 years as Sumner's longestserving prosecutor. "It's impressive how much service (Hyatt) has given to the people of Sumner County, and if I do half as good of a job as he did, I'll do very well," Preston said. "I look forward to protecting and serving the citizens of Sumner County." A native of Jackson, Miss., Preston earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Grambling State University in Grambling, La.
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Sidney Preston, Sumner's newest assistant district attorney, is sworn in Aug. 1 by Criminal Court Judge Dee David Gay. Also pictured is District Attorney Ray Whitley (center). WILL DAUGHERTY/FILE
After graduating in May of 2001, he attended the University of Mississippi School of Law the following August. After attending summer classes, he earned his Juris Doctor degree in two years on a full academic scholarship. Preston finds new job fulfilling In 2008, Preston launched his own law practice based out of Hendersonville mostly handling criminal defense
and personal injury cases. He had already applied with the Sumner County district attorney's office when Hyatt decided to retire. "I had been working here for a while," Preston said. "And I had had the opportunity to work with pretty much everyone in this office." Preston said he's enjoyed his first three weeks on the job that's proven to be different and, perhaps, somewhat
more fulfilling than criminal defense. "I've seem mostly everything, and if I haven't seen it on this side, I've seen it as a defense attorney," Preston said. "I definitely like this better. It's a job with a big deal of public service, and it offers the opportunity to help and protect the people of Sumner County. I'm so happy and excited to get up and come to work every morning." Sumner County District Attorney Ray Whitley said he's glad to have Preston as one of his nine assistant DAs. "He's come with great recommendations by just about everybody who knows him, including defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges, and he'll be a great addition to this office," Whitley said. "He's already hit the ground running handling cases in criminal and general session courts, and he's doing a great job." Reach Dessislava Yankova at 575-7170 or dyankova@mtcngroup.com.