Parish DA inducted into justice hall of fame

St. Charles Parish District Attorney Harry Morel, who has served in his post for 31 years, was recently inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame.

Morel graduated from Jesuit High School in 1961, where he participated in the honors curriculum and was a three-sport letterman. While lettering three years in baseball, he also received an undergraduate degree from the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1965, and obtained his Juris Doctorate from LSU Law School in 1968.

While living in St. Charles Parish, Morel worked as an Orleans Parish Attorney for six years.  Later he worked as an assistant district attorney in St. Charles until he won the election as district attorney in 1978.  At the time, the 29th Judicial District was composed of St. John and St. Charles Parishes.  As the two parishes developed they were separated in 1985. He has held the office of District Attorney in St. Charles Parish in all subsequent elections.

Morel is a past-president for the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association, and was named prosecutor of the year by the Victims and Citizens Against Crime.  He currently serves as the Chairman of the Louisiana States Victims Service Advisory Board and the Drug Control and Violent Crime Policy Board. Morel is also a member of the LCLE Priorities Committee and Peace Officer Standards and Training Committee. He has been honored by the St. Charles Parish Public School System and the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Morel has been married for forty-three years. He and his wife, Gwen, have three daughters and three grandchildren.