Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Washington Parish, LA – In a solemn courtroom, amidst the deep respect and memory of his predecessor, J. Collin Sims, a seasoned legal professional with a robust history in criminal law, was sworn in as the Interim District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District. Sims steps into the role following the sad departure of District Attorney Warren Montgomery.

Sims, a Mandeville native, is a product of Saint Paul’s High School, where the foundation for his future in law began. Pursuing higher education with a leadership scholarship, he graduated with honors in Political Science from Mississippi College. Sims then honed his legal expertise at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, earning his Juris Doctorate.

His career, spanning over 17 years, launched in Orleans Parish as an Assistant District Attorney in 2006. Notably, in 2008, Sims became one of the youngest Assistant United States Attorneys in the nation. His tenure with the United States Attorney’s Office led him through the Western and Eastern Districts of Louisiana, tackling complex federal criminal cases.

Sims’s dedication to the 22nd Judicial District began in January 2015, appointed by DA Warren Montgomery as Chief of the Criminal Division, serving both St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. His expertise extended as he remained a Special Assistant United States Attorney until January 2017, further reinforcing his legal prowess.

His prosecutorial forte includes dismantling violent gangs, convicting murderers and rapists, and disrupting organized networks of drug trafficking, money laundering, and public corruption. Sims has been pivotal in establishing and collaborating with multi-state and international task forces. As an educator, he imparts his knowledge on racketeering and wiretap surveillance, shaping investigative and prosecutorial approaches nationwide.

Sims’s impact is further exemplified in the substantial decrease in domestic violence case dismissals through his reforms in the Domestic Violence Unit—a testament to his commitment to community safety and support.

His influence extends beyond the courtroom. Sims holds various leadership roles across professional and non-profit organizations, including the Children’s Advocacy Center, Hope House, and the St. Tammany Parish Bar Association, to name a few. His efforts have earned him numerous accolades, including the FBI Director’s Award and recognition from the DEA and Department of Homeland Security.

A family man at heart, Sims and his wife Elizabeth, a Family Nurse Practitioner and children’s advocate, share three children. The Sims family, rooted in Madisonville, LA, represents the intertwining of professional dedication and community engagement.

As Sims takes on his new role, the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office stands on the precipice of a new era, one that promises continued justice, integrity, and tireless service to the community of Washington Parish and beyond.