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Judge Virginia Carlton currently serves as Judge, Post 1, District 4, for the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Judge Carlton formerly held elected office as State Representative for House District 100 of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 2004-2006. She also holds the rank of Colonel in the US Army Reserves.
Education: Judge Carlton attended the University of Mississippi and received a BBA in 1986. She graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1989 where she participated in the moot court board (executive board member), and served as a member of the National Moot Court team, the Law Journal, and secretary of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. She also served as a law clerk for Justice Joel Blass of the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1989-1990. She is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and following her graduation, she served as an instructor for the course for two years. In 2009, she was board selected to attend the Army War College, a master’s level course, and her studies in this strategic management course began in April 2010.
Military: Judge Carlton has served as a JAG officer in the Army for approximately 20 years with duty in the various components, active duty (over 8 years), US Army Reserves (8 years), and MS Army National Guard (approximately 3 years). Most recently, Judge Carlton served on the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals as a mobilized member of the MS National Guard in support of the Global War on Terrorism. She assisted in approximately 40 appellate cases in three months at the Army appellate court serving as lead judge in approximately 24 cases. Upon conclusion of her mobilization effective June 1, 2010, she will be assigned to the USAR trial judiciary as a Reserve trial judge.
During Judge Carlton’s active duty service from 1990-1998, she served in a variety of positions including the following: Senior Defense Counsel, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Chief of legal Assistance, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Hawaii; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Hawaii; Chief, Administrative law, Hanau legal Center, V Corps, Germany; Chief of Claims, Hanau Legal Center, V Corps, Germany; Military Magistrate, Hanau Legal Center, V Corps, Germany.
In the US Army Reserves, she held the following positions: Chief of Justice, 377th TSC, New Orleans, Louisiana; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Instructor, 11th Bn, 95th (Institutional Training) Division, Oklahoma City; Deputy SJA, 95th (Institutional Training) Division; Staff Judge Advocate, 3rd Personnel Command, Jackson, MS.
In the MS Army National Guard, she has been assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Jt. Force Headquarters. While a member of the MS National Guard she was certified as a military trial judge upon completion of the Military Judge’s Course at The Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Virginia, in May 2009, and certified as a military appellate judge. She was mobilized to the Army Court of Criminal Appeals March 1, 2010, in support of the global war on terrorism for three months. Effective June 1, 2010, she was assigned as a military trial judge in the U.S. Army Reserves to support courts-martial in the Army’s third judicial district.
Mississippi Court of Appeals: In addition to her past military duties, Judge Carlton serves as Judge, Post 1, District 4, on the Mississippi Court of Appeals reviewing appeals in both criminal and civil cases. She participates in over 500 cases a year at the Mississippi Court of Appeals and she authors approximately 60 opinions a year. The Court of Appeals reviews trial court decisions in cases such as domestic relations, child custody, wills, real property, criminal convictions, contracts, insurance, medical malpractice, personal injury and property damage. The Court also hears workers compensation and other administrative agency appeals.
Past Experience: After discharge from active duty, Judge Carlton served as a public defender and then as an Assistant District Attorney in the 15th Judicial District. She also worked with the SW MS Children’s Advocacy Center. She served the advocacy center a an instructor, with certification by American Prosecutors Research Institute “Findings Words” training, to teach regarding child forensic interviews protocols and child abuse investigations procedures. Judge Carlton was recognized during her tenure in the MS legislature by the MS Juvenile Justice Advisory Group as 1 of 3 Distinguished Legislators for 2005. She was also recognized by the Assoc. of Adult Educators as South MS Friend of the Year in 2005. While formerly serving in the MS Legislature, Judge Carlton served on the following legislative committees: Juvenile Justice, Judiciary B, Education, Colleges and Universities, Labor, and Marine Resources. Judge Carlton has also served as an adjunct professor at Mississippi School of Law and at Belhaven College in Jackson, MS.
Military Awards: Judge Carlton’s military awards and medals include the following: six Meritorious Service Medals; four Army Commendation Medals; the National Defense Service Medal; two Overseas Service Ribbons; the Army Service Ribbon; Army Reserve Component’s Achievement Medal (3rd award); Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with M device); and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. She also earned a foreign award, the German Military Sportsman Performance Badge (bronze) while serving on active duty overseas.
License/Associations: Judge Carlton is a member of the MS Bar Association and is admitted to practice in Mississippi. Judge Carlton has been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals for the Armed Forces. She is a member of the ABA, National Assoc. of Women Judges, the American Judges Assoc., and is a fellow of the ABA Assoc. Foundation. She recently served on the Study Committee Reviewing the Code of Judicial Conduct by appointment of the Chief Justice of the MS Supreme Court, and she also serves on the Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice.
Family: Judge Carlton is married to Dr. Scott Carlton, originally from Greenville, MS. They have three children Rachel, Read, and Phoebe. Judge Carlton hails from the home town of Columbia, MS. Her husband, Dr. Scott Carlton, previously served with the MS National Guard as an Army Special Forces Medic and on active duty as a family physician with the U.S. Army Medical Corps.
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