News

Supreme Court appoints Special Judge for Hinds County
December 30, 2010

The Mississippi Supreme Court has appointed retired Hinds County Circuit Judge L. Breland Hilburn to assist the Seventh Circuit Court of Hinds County with its criminal case docket.

Chief Judge King reappointed as head of Court of Appeals
December 21, 2010

Judge Leslie D. King of Greenville was reappointed Dec. 21 as Chief Judge of the Mississippi Court of Appeals.

Judge Mozingo investiture scheduled for January 7
December 20, 2010

An investiture ceremony for newly elected Fifteenth Circuit Court Judge Anthony A. Mozingo is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Pearl River County Courthouse in Poplarville.

Judge John Emfinger to take oath of office
December 17, 2010

Circuit Judge John Emfinger will be sworn in as Judge of the Rankin County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. Dec. 28 at the Rankin County Courthouse in Brandon, and at 9 a.m. Dec. 29 at the Madison County Courthouse in Canton.

Judge Lumpkin to take oath of office January 6
December 17, 2010

Newly elected Pearl River County Court Judge Richelle Lumpkin will be sworn in at an investiture ceremony at 11 a.m. Jan. 6, 2011, at the Pearl River County Courthouse in Poplarville.

Investiture for Judge Coleman is January 4
December 17, 2010

An investiture ceremony for newly elected Sixteenth Circuit Court Judge Lee S. Coleman is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 4, 2011, at the Clay County Courthouse in West Point. Circuit Clerk Robert Harrell Jr. will administer the oath of office.

Swearing in ceremony for Hinds County judges is Jan. 4
December 15, 2010

Three new judges and eight incumbent Hinds County judges will take the oath of office on Jan. 4. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. in Courtroom No. 1 of the Hinds County Courthouse in Jackson. The ceremony is open to the public.

Investiture for Judge W.M. Sanders is December 29
December 15, 2010

An investiture ceremony for newly elected Seventh Chancery Court Judge W. M. Sanders is scheduled for 3 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Leflore County Courthouse in Greenwood.

Investiture for Judge Gregory is December 30
December 15, 2010

An investiture ceremony for newly elected Third Circuit Court Judge John A. Gregory is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Chickasaw County Courthouse in Okolona.

Investiture for Judge Murphey is December 28
December 14, 2010

An investiture ceremony for newly elected Seventeenth Circuit Court Judge Smith Murphey V is scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 28 at the Panola County Courthouse in Batesville.

Judge Beam to take oath of office January 5
December 14, 2010

Newly elected Tenth District Chancery Judge Dawn H. Beam will be sworn in at an investiture ceremony at 9 a.m. Jan. 5, 2011, in Purvis. The ceremony will be in the Justice Courtroom at the Lamar County Law Enforcement Building.

Supreme Court announces new Law Librarian
December 3, 2010

Clara Watson Joorfetz of Jackson has been promoted to acting State Law Librarian, the Mississippi Supreme Court announced.

E-filing underway in Madison County Court
November 9, 2010

Attorneys filing civil cases in Madison County Court can now use electronic filing.

8th Chancery Court celebrates Adoption Day Nov. 12
November 8, 2010

The 8th Chancery Court will celebrate a special Adoption Day on Friday, Nov. 12, at th the Harrison County Courthouse in Gulfport.

Retiring trial court judges honored
November 3, 2010

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. presented certificates of appreciation to veteran trial judges who did not seek reelection and are scheduled to retire in December. Seven of the 11 retiring judges attended the Trial and Appellate Judges Conference in Jackson on Oct. 28.

Pro Bono attorneys to be honored for service Oct. 27
October 26, 2010

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. and Mississippi Bar President Nina Stubblefield Tollison will speak Wednesday, Oct. 27, at a reception honoring attorneys, law firms and students who have given free legal services to assist low-income people. The reception is from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Bar Center at 643 North State Street in Jackson.

Domestic Abuse Court planning meeting is Oct. 11 in Greenville
October 6, 2010

Chancery Judge Marie Wilson has scheduled a planning meeting for 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, to discuss development of the Washington County Domestic Abuse Court. The meeting will be held in the First Floor Chancery Courtroom at the Washington County Courthouse in Greenville.

Washington County Chancery Court to create Domestic Abuse Court
September 23, 2010

The Washington County Chancery Court is the recipient of a federal grant to develop a Domestic Abuse Court.

Circuit Judge Eddie Bowen takes oath
September 22, 2010

Eddie Bowen of Raleigh was sworn in Monday, Sept. 20, as Circuit Judge of the 13th Judicial District of Covington, Jasper, Simpson and Smith counties. Smith County Circuit Clerk Anthony Grayson administered the oath at the Courthouse in Raleigh.

Access to Justice Commission to present report Sept. 14
September 7, 2010

Members of the Access to Justice Commission on Sept. 14 will present to the Mississippi Supreme Court a report of findings from public hearings regarding the difficulties poor people encounter in gaining access to civil legal representation.

Judge Carlton to speak at Youth Court Defender Conference Sept. 16
September 7, 2010

Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Virginia Carlton will be among the guest speakers at the Mississippi Youth Court Defender Conference Sept. 16 in Ridgeland. Judge Carlton will speak at 8 a.m. about new Youth Court laws and rules.

Court of Appeals to hear cases on college campuses
August 31, 2010

The Mississippi Court of Appeals has announced its fall schedule of college campus visits to hear oral arguments. The court will convene special sessions at Mississippi Valley State University Sept. 16, at the University of Southern Mississippi Sept. 30, and at Mississippi State University Nov. 18.

Rules Committee seeks public comment on pro bono proposals
August 23, 2010

The Supreme Court Rules Committee on the Legal Profession is seeking public comment on proposals intended to improve poor people’s access to legal services.

Access to Justice Commission to meet August 23
August 20, 2010

The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission will meet at noon on Monday, Aug. 23, at the Mississippi Bar Center at 643 North State Street in Jackson. Members will gather for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Chief Justice Waller to address University of Mississippi School of Law
August 18, 2010

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. will give the keynote address to first year law students attending the University of Mississippi School of Law at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19. He will speak at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts on the Oxford campus.

Justices Carlson emphasizes civility, ethics and professionalism at law student orientation
August 11, 2010

Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice George C. Carlson Jr. told new law students that the practice of law is not about making money or winning.

Justices Carlson and Waller to talk about ethics at law student orientation
August 10, 2010

Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice George C. Carlson Jr. will give the keynote address to first year law students attending the Mississippi College School of Law at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Chief Justice Waller to address Harrison County Bar Association Aug. 13
August 10, 2010

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. will speak to the Harrison County Bar Association at noon Aug. 13. The meeting will be at Mary Mahoney’s restaurant in Biloxi.

Commission on Children's Justice begins work
July 29, 2010

A diverse group of judges, educators and child welfare professionals met July 29 in Jackson to organize a study of the juvenile justice system

Commission on Children's Justice to meet July 29
July 28, 2010

The Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice will meet July 29 at 10 a.m. at the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson.

Guardianship Clinic will assist with school enrollment in Hinds County
July 27, 2010

Legal assistance will be available Aug. 4 and 5 to help establish guardianships to allow Hinds County children to enroll in school.

Judge Alfonso, Judge Patten honored for judicial excellence
July 26, 2010

Chancellors Margaret Alfonso of Gulfport and Edward E. Patten Jr. of Hazlehurst were recently honored with the Mississippi Bar’s Judicial Excellence Award.

Supreme Court names new Marshal
July 12, 2010

The Mississippi Supreme Court has appointed Stephen E. Markert of Madison as Marshal in charge of security for the Carroll Gartin Justice Building. The appointment is effective July 12.

Chief Justice Awards honor Access to Justice leaders
July 30, 2010

The Mississippi Supreme Court will present its highest honor, the 2010 Chief Justice Award, to three people who have worked tirelessly to improve access to justice for the poor. This year’s award will be shared by Justice Jess H. Dickinson of Gulfport, Hinds County Chancery Judge Denise Owens of Jackson, and former Mississippi Bar President Joy Lambert Phillips of Gulfport.

Justice Dickinson, Judge Alfonso inducted as Fellows of Mississippi Bar Foundation
April 20, 2010

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Jess H. Dickinson and Eighth Chancery District Judge Margaret Alfonso, both of Gulfport, have been named Fellows of the Mississippi Bar Foundation.

Court of Appeals schedules oral arguments at University of Mississippi School of Law
April 16, 2010

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments at the University of Mississippi School of Law in Oxford on April 20.

Study Committee recommends revisions to Code of Judicial Conduct
April 9, 2010

A committee of judges and lawyers has recommended revisions to the Mississippi Code of Judicial Conduct.

Court of Appeals schedules oral argument at Mississippi College School of Law
March 16, 2010

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments at the Mississippi College School of Law at 10:30 a.m. March 24. A three-judge panel will convene in Room 151 B at the law school at 151 East Griffith Street in Jackson.

Judge Virginia Carlton called to active duty with U.S. Army
February 24, 2010

Judge Virginia Carlton of the Mississippi Court of Appeals has been called to active military duty for approximately 90 days to serve with the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals in Alexandria, Va.

Madison County Circuit Court to begin e-filing March 1
February 24, 2010

Madison County Circuit Court will begin accepting voluntary electronic filing of court documents in specified civil cases March 1. Electronic filing becomes mandatoryin those civil cases April 15, according to an order signed by Circuit Judges William E. Chapman III and Samac Richardson.

DeSoto County Juvenile Drug Court Graduation is March 1
February 22, 2010

The DeSoto County Juvenile Drug Court will hold a graduation at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 1, at the DeSoto County Courthouse in Hernando. The ceremony will be in Courtroom No. 4 on the second floor, south wing. The courthouse is located at 2535 Highway 51 South.

Scott County Chancery Court to begin e-filing Feb. 15
February 8, 2010

Scott County Chancery Court will begin accepting voluntary electronic filing of court documents Feb. 15. Electronic filing becomes mandatory April 1, according to an order signed by Chancery Judge H. David Clark II.

Access to Justice public hearing is February 1 in Jackson
January 28, 2010

The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission will conduct a public hearing about the unmet civil legal needs of poor people on Monday, Feb.1, at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson. The hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Hinds County Drug Court 10th Anniversary Celebration is January 29
January 28, 2010

The Hinds County Circuit Drug Court will celebrate its tenth year of operation and its twenty-fifth graduation on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art, 380 South Lamar Street in Jackson.

Fifth Circuit Court Sets March 15, 2010 as date for Mandatory Electronic Case Filing (ECF)
January 26, 2010

Pursuant to Fifth Circuit Rule 25.2.1, the court established March 15, 2010, as the effective date for attorneys to use our ECF program to file in cases before the court. Unless excused for good cause, counsel must register as Filing Users under Rule 25.2.3 and comply with the court's electronic filing standards, posted separately on our website, www.ca5.uscourts.gov/cmecf. Attorneys must be admitted to practice in the Fifth Circuit and are required to file an appearance form in each case they are involved in before making any electronic filings.

Court of Appeals schedules arguments in Greenville Jan. 28
January 25, 2010

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will convene at the Washington County Courthouse in Greenville on Jan. 28 to hear oral arguments in two cases. Oral arguments are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the large second floor Circuit Court courtroom.