Texarkana Lawyer Ineligible to Practice in Texas, Scheduled to Appear With Client Monday

UPDATE – Texarkana attorney Joshua L. Potter of Potter & Marks released a statement saying his firm represents Texarkana Lawyer Shorty Barrett and disputing reports that anyone was hit by a vehicle.

“My client did not strike anyone with his vehicle,” Potter wrote.

Potter described the incident as a face-to-face, mutual physical altercation between two adults. He said the other person challenged Barrett to fight and Barrett accepted. Potter called any report suggesting Barrett intentionally struck or tried to strike someone with his vehicle false.

Potter also issued a statement on Barrett’s status with the Texas bar. “The administrative suspension is for nonpayment of yearly bar license fees. Attorneys are suspended automatically if they aren’t paid by a certain date. If they are paid, they are reinstated.

I believe they are current now and he is back in the good graces of the Texas Bar.”

Texarkana, Texas — A Texarkana lawyer is scheduled to appear in felony district court in Bowie County on Monday despite being administratively suspended by the State Bar of Texas.

Shorty Craig Barrett is currently ineligible to practice law in Texas for “administrative reasons,” according to the State Bar of Texas website on Wednesday.

Barrett is scheduled to appear before Fifth District Judge Bill Miller on Monday for a criminal docket call, records show. He is listed as the attorney of record for a former Bowie County correctional officer accused of sexual misconduct with female inmates. That case is set for a pretrial hearing Monday.

Administrative suspensions in Texas can indicate that an attorney has not completed the required annual continuing legal education hours or has not paid bar dues.

Arkansas attorney records show Barrett is licensed with active status. He has been licensed in Arkansas since April 2006 and in Texas since May 2007, according to the state bar websites.

Barrett does not have a public disciplinary history listed with either the Texas or Arkansas bar.

Vehicle sought in New Boston Walmart incident

Separately on Wednesday, the Miller County Sheriff’s Office, Bowie County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, Texarkana Texas Police Department and Texarkana Arkansas Police Department issued a be-on-the-lookout alert for a suspect who allegedly struck a person at the New Boston Walmart.

According to police radio traffic, the vehicle involved is registered to Barrett, and officers went to his residence looking for him. It is not yet known who was driving the vehicle, and no charges have been announced.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.