Retired judge Charles Scott was elected district attorney of Caddo Parish Saturday night, easily defeating attorney Craig Smith.

Scott received 61 percent of the vote to 39 percent for Smith, according to complete but unofficial returns.

Scott, who takes office in January, will succeed Paul Carmouche, who decided to retire after 30 years in office and ran for Congress.

Scott, who retired from the Caddo District Court earlier this year to run for D.A., stressed his 26 years in the court system and said he would be particularly tough on habitual offenders.

Smith was a political newcomer whose law practice was criminal defense and personal injury. He promised "new energy" in the D.A.'s office.