Daniella M. Shorter
Port Gibson
Summary
Senior trial attorney and elected District Attorney with more than fifteen years of criminal law experience, superior advocacy and communication skills, and government office management. Extensive experience conducting evidentiary hearings, jury trials, motion practice, grand jury proceedings, and all manner of case management throughout the litigation process.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
District Attorney
Twenty-Second and Twenty-Third Circuit Court Districts
Mississippi
01.2020 - Current
- Chief prosecutorial officer responsible for administration of justice across a multi-county judicial district.
- Conduct felony preliminary hearings, suppression hearings, evidentiary proceedings, and sentencing hearings consistent with constitutional and procedural requirements
- Try felony jury trials including violent crimes, narcotics trafficking, property offenses, and capital murder cases
- Present felony matters to grand juries and oversee charging decisions and indictment review
- Supervise attorneys, investigators, and support staff while managing office operations, budgets, and case workflows
- Conduct plea conferences resolving high-volume criminal dockets
- Provide legal guidance and training to regional law enforcement agencies on criminal procedure, search and seizure standards, and evidence handling
- Ensure victims’ rights protections while maintaining prosecutorial discretion and ethical compliance
Assistant District Attorney
Twenty-Second Circuit District
Mississippi
03.2014 - 12.2019
- Prosecuted felony criminal cases from intake through disposition
- Conducted jury trials, bench trials, evidentiary hearings, and pretrial motion practice
- Drafted indictments, warrants, subpoenas, discovery responses, and trial motions
- Presented cases to grand juries and conducted legal research addressing constitutional and procedural issues
- Negotiated plea agreements and settlement resolutions
Assistant District Attorney
Fourth Judicial District
Mississippi
12.2011 - 03.2014
- Litigated felony criminal matters including violent offenses and complex evidentiary issues
- Conducted motion hearings, suppression hearings, and plea conferences
- Prepared cases for jury trial and appellate preservation
Private Practice Attorney
The Law Office of Daniella M. Shorter, PLLC
Ridgeland, Mississippi
01.2011 - 12.2011
- Maintained a litigation practice involving criminal defense, personal injury, and chancery matters
- Served as Court-Appointed Public Defender for the Ninth Circuit Court District
- Represented juvenile defendants as Youth Court Public Defender
- Conducted bench trials, hearings, discovery disputes, and settlement negotiations
- Managed full litigation lifecycle and client representation
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of Mississippi School of Law
Oxford, MS05.2008
Bachelor of Arts - English
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS08.2005
Skills
- Principled decision-making
- Strong courtroom engagement
- Legal research
- Legal writing
Certification
Member, Mississippi Bar Association, October 2008
Timeline
District Attorney
Twenty-Second and Twenty-Third Circuit Court Districts
01.2020 - Current
Assistant District Attorney
Twenty-Second Circuit District
03.2014 - 12.2019
Assistant District Attorney
Fourth Judicial District
12.2011 - 03.2014
Private Practice Attorney
The Law Office of Daniella M. Shorter, PLLC
01.2011 - 12.2011
Bachelor of Arts - English
Jackson State University
Juris Doctor -
University of Mississippi School of Law