News

Access to Justice Commission to meet December 7
December 1, 2009

The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission will meet on Monday, Dec. 7, to discuss its priorities for action in 2010 through 2012. The meeting will be held at the Mississippi Bar Center at 643 North State Street in Jackson. Members will have lunch at 11:30 a.m. The meeting will convene at noon.

Supreme Court seeks public comment on proposed rule amendments for domestic violence protection actions
December 1, 2009

The Mississippi Supreme Court is seeking public comment on proposed rule amendments which address court proceedings related to protection from domestic violence. The proposed amendments would provide standardized procedures in domestic abuse protection actions.

Supreme Court seeks public comment on proposed rule amendments regarding discovery and expert witnesses
November 20, 2009

The Mississippi Supreme Court is seeking public comment on proposed rule amendments which address discovery deadlines and expert witnesses in the trial courts.

Board of Bar Admissions honors retiring chair, welcomes new members
November 13, 2009

Ridgeland attorney James R. Mozingo was honored Thursday, Nov. 12, for 21 years of service on the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions, including seven years as chairman.

Forrest and Perry County Drug Court graduation is Monday, Nov. 16
November 12, 2009

The 12th Circuit Adult Drug Court will celebrate a graduation at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.

12th Circuit Drug Court receives grant to treat co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders
November 12, 2009

The 12th Circuit Adult Drug Court recently was awarded a federal grant which will total nearly $900,000 over a three year period.

Pike County Juvenile Drug Court graduation is November 16
November 10, 2009

Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice James E. Graves Jr. will be the guest speaker at the Pike County Juvenile Drug Court graduation at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, in Magnolia. The ceremony will be in the Eva Gordon Elementary Cafeteria.

Harrison County Chancery Court celebrates Adoption Day
November 10, 2009

At least a dozen children are expected to make family bonds permanent in a special Adoption Day on Friday, Nov. 13, in Harrison County Chancery Court.

Judge Harrison pledges honesty, fairness, integrity
November 9, 2009

Newly appointed Hinds County Circuit Judge Malcolm Harrison at his investiture on Monday said that he will be honest, fair and accountable, and that he will hold those who come before him accountable.

Judge Harrison Investiture is Nov. 9
November 6, 2009

An investiture ceremony for Hinds County Circuit Judge Malcolm Harrison is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the Hinds County Courthouse at 407 East Pascagoula Street in Jackson. The ceremony will be held in Courtroom No. 1 on the second floor, east wing.

Court of Appeals schedules arguments at MSU campus
November 6, 2009

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will convene on the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville on Nov. 19 to hear oral arguments in two cases. Arguments are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Hunter Henry Center.

Judges and lawyers honored during National Pro Bono Celebration
October 29, 2009

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Jess H. Dickinson on Thursday called on lawyers to give their time in free civil legal service to poor people.

Volunteer Lawyers Project seeks help for the poor
October 26, 2009

New Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project General Counsel A. La’Verne Edney is going from A to Z in the state bar roll looking for attorneys willing to represent poor people in need of civil legal services.

Judges and lawyers honored during National Pro Bono Week
October 26, 2009

The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project on Oct. 29 will honor four judges who have worked to increase pro bono service to poor people and 10 Mississippi lawyers who have provided free civil legal service.

Court of Appeals schedules oral arguments at USM campus
October 12, 2009

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will convene on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg on Oct. 15 to hear oral arguments in two cases. The proceeding will be held in Room 218 at the Thad Cochran Center on campus.

17th District Drug Court graduation is Oct. 19 in Hernando
October 6, 2009

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Ann H. Lamar will be the guest speaker Oct. 19 at the first graduation ceremony of the 17th Circuit Drug Court. The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the main courtroom at the DeSoto County Courthouse, 2535 U.S. Highway 51 in Hernando.

Chancery Judge Kennie Middleton died September 17
September 18, 2009

Chancery Judge Kennie E. Middleton of Fayette died Thursday, Sept. 17, at Natchez Regional Medical Center.

Jackson County Drug Court graduation is September 1
August 28, 2009

Two sisters are expected to be among the graduates when the Jackson County Drug Court honors participants Sept. 1 in Pascagoula. The Jackson County Drug Court will conduct a graduation at 4 p.m. in the large courtroom of the old Jackson County Courthouse at 3104 Magnolia Street.

Public access to Mississippi Electronic Courts system begins Aug. 27
August 24, 2009

Public access to electronically filed court documents in Madison County Chancery Court becomes available Aug. 27.

Access to Justice public hearing is August 27 in Meridian
August 19, 2009

The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission will conduct a public hearing about the unmet civil legal needs of poor people on Aug. 27 in Meridian. The hearing is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Union Station, 1901 Front Street in downtown Meridian.

Drug Court program introduction is Aug. 19 in Meridian
August 13, 2009

Lauderdale County has created a drug court to deal with drug abusing offenders whose crimes are rooted in addiction.

Guardianship Clinic will assist with school enrollment in Hinds County
August 5, 2009

Legal assistance will be available Aug. 6 and 7 to help Hinds County children to enroll in school. The Hinds County Chancery Court and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project will provide a Guardianship Clinic to assist with public school enrollment of children living with someone other than their parents.

Judge Thomas Storey honored for Youth Court work
July 30, 2009

Clay County Youth Court Referee Thomas B. Storey has been honored for his lifetime work protecting the interests of children. He was presented the Lookin’ to the Future Award during a ceremony in Natchez on July 17.

Rankin County Youth Court Judge works on delinquency and crime prevention plan
July 14, 2009

Many of the Rankin County children who must be placed in foster care as a result of abuse or neglect return to Youth Court accused of delinquent acts, Judge Tom Broome said.

Judge Helfrich named to national drug court board
June 17, 2009

Circuit Judge Robert Helfrich of Hattiesburg has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP).

Kathy Gillis to be named new Supreme Court Clerk
May 29, 2009

The Mississippi Supreme Court will appoint Kathy Gillis of Jackson as the new Clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, effective June 1.

Drug Court conference to be held in Natchez May 20-22
May 14, 2009

A recovering methamphetamine addict who uses his story of attempted suicide as a oneman anti-drug campaign will kick off the Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals annual conference in Natchez May 20.

Justice Graves to speak at Corinth Civil War park opening
May 14, 2009

Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice James E. Graves Jr. will speak May 23 in Corinth at the opening of a park which commemorates the lives of African Americans who sought freedom during the Civil War. The ceremony is at 10 a.m. at Contraband Camp Park at 850 North Parkway in Corinth.

Justice Graves to speak at christening of warship Gravely
May 13, 2009

Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice James E. Graves Jr. will be one of the guest speakers at the christening of the guided missile destroyer Gravely at 10 a.m. May 16 at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.

State Law Librarian appointed by Legislature
May 6, 2009

The Mississippi House of Representatives and the Mississippi Senate in a joint session today appointed attorney Amanda Tyre Watson as State Law Librarian.

Investiture of Judge Maxwell is May 15 in Oxford
May 4, 2009

An investiture ceremony for Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge James D. Maxwell II is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 15 at the Lafayette County Courthouse in Oxford.

Pine Belt area courts plan combined ceremony
May 4, 2009

Two South Mississippi drug courts and a federal court program will gather on May 15 to celebrate individual accomplishments and a shared mission of rehabilitating people who struggle with drug addiction.

Access to Justice Commission to meet May 4
May 1, 2009

The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission will meet Monday, May 4, at noon at the Mississippi Bar Center at 643 North State Street in Jackson.

Supreme Court announces new Law Librarian
April 20, 2009

Attorney and law librarian Amanda Tyre Watson will assume duties of acting State Law Librarian on May 4.

Leake and Walthall counties start Youth Drug Courts
April 15, 2009

Youth Courts in Leake and Walthall counties have started drug court programs to provide community-based substance abuse treatment and counseling to delinquent juveniles.

Court of Appeals schedules oral arguments at Mississippi College and University of Mississippi
April 10, 2009

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments at the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson on April 14 and at the University of Mississippi School of Law in Oxford on April 21.

Supreme Court Clerk Betty Sephton to retire
April 6, 2009

Mississippi Supreme Court Clerk Betty Sephton of Brandon will retire May 31 after 29 years of public service. She has worked for the court for 19 years, including eight and one-half years as Clerk of the Courts.

Judge Frank Vollor announces plans to retire in May
March 31, 2009

Ninth Circuit Judge Frank Vollor of Vicksburg will retire May 31.

Access to Justice public hearing is April 8 in Oxford
March 31, 2009

The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission will conduct a public hearing about the unmet civil legal needs of poor people on April 8 in Oxford. The hearing is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the University of Mississippi Lamar Law Center in Moot Court I, Room 321.

Model Jury Instructions Commission begins work
March 26, 2009

The Mississippi judicial system needs to update model jury instructions to reflect changing law and technology, and to put the instructions into simpler terms, without the legalese, which lay persons can better understand, Supreme Court Presiding Justice George C. Carlson Jr. told the Model Jury Instructions Commission.

Model Jury Instructions Commission to meet March 26
March 25, 2009

The Mississippi Model Jury Instructions Commission will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, in the fourth floor conference room at the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson.

Eighth District Drug Court uses alcohol monitors
January 27, 2009

The Eighth District Drug Court is testing a monitoring system to help alcoholics battle their addiction.

Commission on Judicial Performance has new leaders, new members
January 26, 2009

Circuit Judge Henry L. Lackey of Calhoun City became chair of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance on Jan.9. He has served on the commission for five years.

Investiture of Justice Pierce is January 30 in Leakesville
January 15, 2009

An investiture ceremony for Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Randy G. “Bubba” Pierce is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 30 at Greene County High School Gymnasium in Leakesville. The public is invited.

Supreme Court adopts Uniform Rules of Youth Court Practice
January 14, 2009

The Mississippi Supreme Court has adopted Uniform Rules of Youth Court Practice. The rules became effective Jan. 8, 2009.

Supreme Court adopts rules and procedures for electronic case filing
January 13, 2009

The Mississippi Supreme Court has adopted a set of rules and procedures which will govern electronic filing of court documents during the future development of the Mississippi Electronic Court System (MEC).

Investiture of Justice Chandler is January 23 in Starkville
January 12, 2009

An investiture ceremony for Mississippi Supreme Court Justice David A. Chandler is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 23, 2009, in Lee Hall Auditorium on the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville.

Investiture of Justice Kitchens is January 17 in Hazlehurst
January 12, 2009

An investiture ceremony for Mississippi Supreme Court Justice James W. Kitchens is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at the Copiah County Courthouse in Hazlehurst. The public is invited.

Investiture of Chief Justice Waller is January 8 in Jackson
January 5, 2009

An investiture ceremony for Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice William L. Waller Jr. is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009, in the En Banc Courtroom of the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson. Justice Waller has assumed the duties of Chief Justice, the chief administrative officer of the state court system.