New Franklin County Attorney Stephen Hunting was sworn in Tuesday by Franklin County District Court Judge Thomas Sachse. Hunting fills the vacancy left by Heather Jones, who resigned in April to take a position in the Johnson County Attorney’s Office. The county attorney prosecutes adult and juvenile criminal cases.

The Franklin County Republican Party’s central committee recommended Hunting, a Kansas University law school graduate, for the position. Hunting, who spent the last three years with the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office, was then appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback.

Jones was first elected in 2004, and re-elected in 2008. The position is up for election this year, and Hunting said he plans to run for election.