Albert B. "Al" Smith, III

Judge Albert B. Smith III was born in Bolivar County, Mississippi. Upon completion of his legal education at Mississippi College School of Law in December of 1983 and passing the State Bar examination in February 1984, Judge Smith entered into private practice in Jackson, Mississippi. Judge Smith moved to Cleveland, Mississippi in 1986 and joined the law firm of Griffith & Griffith and was later elected Bolivar County Prosecuting Attorney in 1987. In 1989, he then entered into private practice in Cleveland and practiced law in the old "Owen Building" which he later named the "Smith Building" after his late father, Albert B. Smith, Jr., his late grandfather Albert B. Smith, Sr. and his late great grand uncle, John T. Smith.

Just prior to being appointed Circuit Court Judge, Judge Smith was Bolivar County Prosecuting Attorney, a position he was elected to in 1987 and re-elected to in 1991, 1995 and 1999. Judge Smith was appointed by Governor Ronnie Musgrove in July 2000 to serve as Circuit Court Judge of the Eleventh Circuit Court District, which is comprised of Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman and Tunica Counties.

Judge Smith’s past and present legal affiliations include: Hinds County Trial Lawyers Association (1984-1987); Small Law Firm Practice Committee (1984-1987); Hinds County Bar Association (1984-1987); American Bar Association (1984-Present); American Trial Lawyers Association (1984-Present); Mississippi Bar Association (1987-Present); Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association (1984-Present); Bolivar County Bar Association (1987-Present) - past Secretary, past Treasurer, past Vice-President and past 1995 President; Mississippi Prosecutors Association (1987-2000); Bolivar County Prosecuting Attorney (1987-2000) and American Inns of Court (2001-Present).

Judge Smith is also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, the Cleveland/Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, the Delta State University Booster Club, the Cleveland Moose Lodge, the Cleveland Chapter of the Gideons and the Cleveland Exchange Club (served as chairperson for the Prevention of Child Abuse Committee).