News

Investiture of Judge Eugene Fair is January 6 in Jackson
December 29, 2011

An investiture ceremony for Judge Eugene L. Fair Jr. of the Court of Appeals of the State of Mississippi is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Deadline Extended for public comments regarding the proposed Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure
December 8, 2011

As announced on September 9, 2011, the Rules Committee on Criminal Practice and Procedure is seeking public comments from the bench, the bar and the public regarding the proposed Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure. Upon the request of several groups, the Rules Committee has decided to extend the deadline for public comments until February 16, 2012. A copy of the proposal is available on the Mississippi Judiciary web site at http://courts.ms.gov/rules/rulesforcomment/rulesforcomment.html.

Justice Carlson announces plans to retire at end of term
November 14, 2011

Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice George C. Carlson Jr. of Batesville today announced that he plans to retire at the end of his term in January 2013. He will complete the term, but will not seek reelection in November 2012.

Supreme Court makes appointments to Board of Bar Admissions
November 9, 2011

The Mississippi Supreme Court on Nov. 2 appointed two new members to the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions and reappointed a third member. Attorneys Anthony R. Simon of Jackson and Wilford Albert Payne III of Hattiesburg are new members of the board, and Circuit Judge Smith Murphey of Batesville has been reappointed.

AOC announces court interpreter credentialing program
October 31, 2011

The Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts will conduct its first Court Interpreter Workshop Nov. 3 and 4 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson. Workshop presentations are scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the first floor training room.

Electronic filing presentation scheduled Oct. 14 in Gulfport
October 10, 2011

South Mississippi attorneys will get an overview of the planned electronic filing system for state court records during a presentation to the Harrison County Bar Association at noon Oct. 14 at the Great Southern Club atop the Hancock Bank Building in Gulfport.

Public comments sought on proposed Rules of Criminal Procedure
September 26, 2011

The Rules Committee on Criminal Practice and Procedure is seeking public comments on a body of proposed criminal court rules which would address every aspect of criminal proceedings from the initiation of criminal charges through post-trial motions.

Commission on Children’s Justice public hearing is Sept. 23 in Oxford
September 19, 2011

Blues singer Janiva Magness will be among the speakers at a public hearing of the Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice on Sept. 23 on the University of Mississippi campus. The hearing will be held in the E. F. Yerby Conference Center. The program is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and conclude by 12:30 p.m.

Portraits of four historic Supreme Court Justices unveiled
September 1, 2011

The Mississippi Supreme Court unveiled portraits Sept. 1 of four historic former justices.

Supreme Court seeks public comments on proposed rule changes
August 31, 2011

The Mississippi Supreme Court is seeking public comments on proposed rule changes addressing the unauthorized practice of law, attorney discipline, and a program which assists lawyers and judges who have alcohol, drug or mental health issues.

Portraits of four former Supreme Court justices to be unveiled Sept. 1
August 22, 2011

Portraits of four former justices of the Mississippi Supreme Court will be unveiled at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Carroll Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

16th Circuit District Drug Court ready to accept referrals
July 25, 2011

The 16th Circuit District Drug Court started accepting referrals of non-violent first-time offenders this past week at the start of the Clay County Circuit Court term. The program will progress to Oktibbeha, Lowndes and Noxubee counties during the next several months as Circuit Court terms begin in those counties. The Circuit Court term for Oktibbeha County began July 25.

Electronic filing presentation scheduled July 25 in Hernando
July 19, 2011

North Mississippi attorneys will get an overview of the planned electronic filing system for court records during an 11:30 a.m. presentation July 25 at the Gale Community Center in Hernando.

Dean Rosenblatt receives Chief Justice Award
July 18, 2011

Mississippi College School of Law Dean James H. Rosenblatt is the recipient of the 2011 Chief Justice Award.

Investiture of Judge Ermea Russell is June 27 in Jackson
June 22, 2011

State and federal officials along with community leaders will be in attendance at the investiture ceremony for Judge Ermea J. Russell of the Court of Appeals of the State of Mississippi. The investiture ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. June 27 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

E-filing to expand to DeSoto, Harrison, Holmes, Yazoo Chancery Courts
June 3, 2011

Chancery Courts in DeSoto, Harrison, Holmes and Yazoo counties are expected to be next to test electronic filing of court documents.

Justice Randolph to address May 27 law enforcement graduation
May 24, 2011

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Michael K. Randolph will be the keynote speaker May 27 when law officers from across the state graduate from the Southern Regional Public Safety Institute at Camp Shelby. The graduation ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Dolton Hall at Camp Shelby.

Judge Russell takes oath of office on Court of Appeals
May 20, 2011

Court of Appeals Judge Ermea Russell was sworn in today, becoming the first African-American woman to sit on a Mississippi appellate court.

Chancery, Circuit conferences elect officers
May 18, 2011

The Conference of Chancery Judges and the Conference of Circuit Judges elected new officers April 28 during the Trial and Appellate Judges Conference in Jackson.

Justice Scalia to speak at May 20 Gartin Justice Building dedication
May 17, 2011

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will be the keynote speaker at the May 20 dedication ceremony for the Carroll Gartin Justice Building. The building, which houses the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Mississippi Court of Appeals, is located at 450 High Street in Jackson.

Public comments sought for proposed rules for court interpreters
May 4, 2011

The Administrative Office of Courts seeks public comments on proposed Standards for Court Interpreters and a proposed Code of Ethics for Court Interpreters. May 31 is the deadline for submitting comments.

Drug Court conference to be held in Biloxi May 4-6
April 28, 2011

Cyber bullying, teen suicide, and drug abuse involving household items are among the discussion topics for the annual Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals Conference which begins May 4 in Biloxi.

Commission on Children's Justice to hold public hearing April 27
April 21, 2011

The Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice will hold a public hearing in Room 216 at the State Capitol at 1 p.m. April 27.

Justice Lamar, Judge Persons inducted as Fellows of Mississippi Bar Foundation
April 19, 2011

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Ann H. Lamar of Senatobia and Eighth Chancery District Judge James B. Persons of Gulfport have been named Fellows of the Mississippi Bar Foundation.

Reception honoring Chief Judge Lee set for April 28
April 19, 2011

Newly appointed Court of Appeals Chief Judge L. Joseph Lee will be honored April 28 at a reception at the Mississippi Bar Center. The reception is scheduled for 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bar Center at 643 North State Street.

Investiture of Justice Leslie King is April 13 in Jackson
April 4, 2011

An investiture ceremony for Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Leslie D. King is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 13 in the En Banc Courtroom of the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson.

Legislature commends drug courts and graduates
March 25, 2011

Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke of Jackson told her legislative colleagues Friday that the state’s 38 drug courts save lives, families and tax dollars.

Irving, Griffis become Presiding Judges of Court of Appeals
March 4, 2011

Judge Tyree Irving of Madison and Judge T. Kenneth Griffis of Ridgeland have been appointed as Presiding Judges of the Mississippi Court of Appeals.

Lee named Chief Judge of Court of Appeals
March 3, 2011

Judge L. Joseph Lee has been appointed as Chief Judge of the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. made the appointment and administered the oath of office to Chief Judge Lee on Thursday, March 3.

Statement of Chief Justice Waller on appointment of Justice King
February 23, 2011

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. welcomed Justice Leslie D. King to the state’s highest court and thanked Gov. Haley Barbour for his appointment.

Mississippi Supreme Court names two to administrative posts
February 9, 2011

The Mississippi Supreme Court has promoted Hubbard T. Saunders, IV, of Jackson to Supreme Court Administrator and Counsel and named longtime staff attorney Greg Sparks of Madison as director of the Central Legal Staff.

Supreme Court adopts rules to encourage pro bono service
January 31, 2011

The Mississippi Supreme Court has revised Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers in an effort to increase the availability of legal services for low income people.

Judge Kidd to supervise Hinds County Drug Court
January 26, 2011

Hinds County Circuit Judge Winston Kidd began supervision of the felony adult Hinds County Drug Court Probation Program Jan. 1.

Supreme Court makes appointments to Drug Court Advisory Committee
January 24, 2011

The Mississippi Supreme Court has appointed DeSoto County Court Judge Allen Couch, Lauderdale County Court Judge Veldore F. Young, and District Attorney Patricia Burchell as new members of the State Drug Court Advisory Committee.

Investiture for Judge Jennifer Schloegel set for January 12
January 4, 2011

An investiture ceremony for Eighth District Chancery Judge Jennifer Schloegel will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 12 in the Harrison County Court Courtroom on the second floor of the Harrison County Courthouse in Gulfport.