News

Mississippi Judiciary website redesigned for mobile device access
December 30, 2016

The State of Mississippi Judiciary today launched a redesigned website that is mobile ready, making court information easily accessible on smartphones and tablets.

Court of Appeals Judge Latrice Westbrooks to take oath Jan. 3
December 27, 2016

Newly elected Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Latrice Westbrooks will take the oath of office at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 3, 2017. Chief Judge L. Joseph Lee will administer the oath of office in the first floor Courtroom at the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson.

Justices Chamberlin, Beam, Kitchens and Maxwell to take oaths Jan. 3
December 19, 2016

Newly elected Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Robert P. Chamberlin will take the oath of office at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3, 2017.

Ceremony honors retiring Supreme Court Justice Ann Lamar
December 16, 2016

Friends and colleagues of retiring Justice Ann H. Lamar expressed profound respect and admiration for her during a ceremony Thursday at the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Supreme Court adopts uniform Rules of Criminal Procedure
December 15, 2016

The Mississippi Supreme Court on Dec. 15 announced its adoption of new Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, which will address every aspect of criminal proceedings.

Retirement ceremony for Justice Ann Lamar set for December 15
December 8, 2016

The Mississippi Supreme Court will honor Justice Ann H. Lamar at a retirement ceremony at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 in the En Banc Courtroom at the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson.

Justice Kitchens to speak at Hinds County Drug Court graduation Dec. 14
December 8, 2016

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice James W. Kitchens will be the guest speaker at the Hinds County Adult Drug Court graduation at 6 p.m. Dec. 14. The ceremony will be held in Courtroom No. 1 on the second floor of the Hinds County Courthouse in Jackson.

Campbell, Sawyer reappointed to Commission on Judicial Performance
December 5, 2016

The Mississippi Supreme Court has reappointed Roy D. Campbell III of Jackson to the Commission on Judicial Performance. The Court also reappointed Karen K. Sawyer of Biloxi as an alternate member to the Commission.

Access to Justice Commission to meet on December 6 in Jackson
December 1, 2016

The Access to Justice Commission will meet at noon Dec. 6 at the Mississippi Bar Center at 643 North State Street in Jackson. Commission members will gather for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Court language interpreter seminar set for Jan. 11-12, 2017, in Jackson
December 1, 2016

The Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts will conduct a seminar to introduce bilingual speakers to the requirements for court interpreting on Jan. 11 and 12, 2017, in Jackson.

Singer Jeff Bates to speak at Dec. 5 Drug Court graduation in Hattiesburg
November 29, 2016

Mississippi singer and songwriter Jeff Bates will be a special guest at the Dec. 5 graduation ceremony for the Twelfth Circuit Drug Court. The commencement celebration will begin at 4 p.m. at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.

Judge Primeaux’s Better Chancery Practice Blog ranked among top 100
November 29, 2016

Editors of the ABA Journal announced today that they selected the Better Chancery Practice Blog, written by Chancellor Lawrence Primeaux of Meridian, as one of the nation’s 100 best blogs for a legal audience.

Private practice lawyers donate time to fill the justice gap
November 23, 2016

A north Mississippi man and woman had been estranged for nearly 20 years but were still legally married, bound together only by poverty because a spouse couldn’t afford to hire a lawyer to get a divorce.

Free legal clinic to be held in Tupelo Nov. 15
November 14, 2016

A free family law clinic is scheduled for Nov. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. on the third floor of the Lee County Justice Center in Tupelo.

Court of Appeals to visit Mississippi State University Nov. 16
November 3, 2016

The Mississippi Parent Representation Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 14. The quarterly meeting will be held on the first floor at the Mississippi Supreme Court, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Court of Appeals to visit Mississippi Valley State University Nov. 10
November 2, 2016

The Mississippi Parent Representation Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 14. The quarterly meeting will be held on the first floor at the Mississippi Supreme Court, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Parent Representation Committee to meet October 14
October 11, 2016

The Mississippi Parent Representation Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 14. The quarterly meeting will be held on the first floor at the Mississippi Supreme Court, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Child abuse prevention program ReNewMS to kick off Oct. 14 in Jackson
October 10, 2016

First Lady Deborah Bryant on Oct. 14 will help kick off a pilot project aimed at reducing and preventing child abuse and neglect by helping parents break the cycle of drug addiction.

Three new members appointed to Commission on Children’s Justice
October 6, 2016

The Mississippi Supreme Court on Oct. 3 appointed three new members to the Commission on Children’s Justice.

Chief Justice reappoints Paul Breazeale to Ethics Commission
October 6, 2016

Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. has reappointed Jackson certified public accountant Paul V. Breazeale to the Mississippi Ethics Commission.

Public comments sought on proposed Rules of Criminal Procedure
October 6, 2016

The Mississippi Supreme Court is seeking public comments on a body of proposed criminal court rules which will address every aspect of criminal proceedings.

Harrison County Youth Court to move from Gulfport to Biloxi
October 4, 2016

The Harrison County Youth Court is moving from Gulfport to Biloxi, with the new office opening at 8 a.m. Oct. 17 in the former Department of Health Building at 761 Esters Blvd.

Free family law clinic set for Oct. 6 in Oxford
September 29, 2016

A free family law clinic is scheduled for Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Mississippi School of Law in Oxford. The Law School is at 481 Chucky Mullins Drive.

Ninth Circuit Drug Court graduation set for Sept. 29 in Vicksburg
September 26, 2016

Seventeen people are expected to graduate from the Ninth Circuit Drug Court during a ceremony scheduled for Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. in the second floor Circuit Courtroom at the Warren County Courthouse.

Court of Appeals to visit Mississippi University for Women on Oct. 3
September 23, 2016

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will convene on the campus of Mississippi University for Women for the first time on Oct. 3 to hear oral arguments.

Chancellor Marie Wilson receives Beacon of Justice Award
September 16, 2016

Chancellor Marie Wilson of Greenville was honored Thursday, Sept. 15, with the Beacon of Justice Award presented by the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project.

Free legal clinics to be held in Pontotoc, Booneville and Tupelo
September 15, 2016

Free family law clinics are scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Pontotoc County Chancery Court in Pontotoc, and Sept. 27 at the Prentiss County Courthouse in Booneville. Both clinics will be held 4 to 7 p.m.

Governor calls for faith-based effort to improve foster care
September 9, 2016

Improving foster care for children is something that government can’t do alone, Gov. Phil Bryant told a planning meeting to recruit more foster parents in Jackson on Friday.

Governor, Justices and Child Protection Services to talk about foster parent needs
September 8, 2016

Gov. Phil Bryant, Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr., Justice Dawn Beam and Child Protection Services Director Dr. David Chandler will talk about the need for more foster parents during a Rescue 100 Vision meeting at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at the Gartin Justice Building at 450 High Street in Jackson.

Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals elects officers
September 2, 2016

Fourth Circuit Drug Court Coordinator Tamela Hardy of Greenville is the new president of the Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals.

WINGS to meet September 8 in Jackson
September 1, 2016

WINGS, the Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders, will meet at 10 a.m. September 8 at the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson.

Access to Justice Commission to discuss free civil legal advice website
August 31, 2016

An online free civil legal website recently began operation to assist poor people. Volunteer Mississippi attorneys will answer civil legal questions via e-mail through the website, https://ms.freelegalanswers.org/.

Supreme Court makes appointments to Bar Complaint Tribunal
August 31, 2016

The Mississippi Supreme Court has appointed five new members to the Bar Complaint Tribunal, and reappointed four members.

Access to Justice Summit explores civil right to counsel
August 26, 2016

Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice Jess Dickinson on Thursday challenged access to justice advocates to push for extension of right to counsel for the poor to the civil arena.

State Drug Court conference set for Aug. 24-26 in Tupelo
August 22, 2016

The Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals Twelfth Annual Conference is scheduled for Aug. 24-26 at the BanCorpSouth Conference Center, 387 East Main Street in Tupelo.

Justice Ann Lamar to speak at Ole Miss law student orientation Aug. 18
August 12, 2016

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Ann H. Lamar of Senatobia will be the keynote speaker Aug. 18 during orientation for new law students at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Justice Lamar will speak at 9:50 a.m. in Weems Auditorium at the Robert C. Khayat Law Center in Oxford.

Access to Justice 10th Anniversary Summit set for August 25 in Jackson
August 8, 2016

The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission will observe its 10-year anniversary Aug. 25 with a summit to reflect on a decade of work to improve civil legal access for the poor, and discuss the future.

August 10 law student orientation to emphasize professionalism
August 8, 2016

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam of Sumrall will administer the oath of professionalism to new law students entering Mississippi College School of Law during an orientation program Aug. 10.

Indian Child Welfare Act Conference set for August 10 at Choctaw
August 5, 2016

The Sixth Annual Indian Child Welfare Act Conference will be held Aug. 10 at the Silver Star Convention Center at Choctaw.

Commission on Children's Justice to meet on August 1 in Jackson
July 28, 2016

The Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice will meet at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 at the Supreme Court of Mississippi Carroll Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Supreme Court Justice Ann Lamar honored with 2016 Chief Justice Award
July 20, 2016

Supreme Court Justice Ann H. Lamar of Senatobia is the recipient of this year’s Chief Justice Award.

Reentry Council to meet July 19
July 13, 2016

The newly created Forfeiture Transparency Task Force will meet at 1 p.m. June 15 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Foster parent training scheduled July 29-31 for Pine Belt region
July 13, 2016

The newly created Forfeiture Transparency Task Force will meet at 1 p.m. June 15 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Free guardianship legal clinic set for July 28 in Jackson
July 11, 2016

The newly created Forfeiture Transparency Task Force will meet at 1 p.m. June 15 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Chancellor Denise Owens to receive Susie Blue Buchanan Award
June 29, 2016

The newly created Forfeiture Transparency Task Force will meet at 1 p.m. June 15 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Forfeiture Transparency Task Force to meet on June 15
June 10, 2016

The newly created Forfeiture Transparency Task Force will meet at 1 p.m. June 15 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Six free family law clinics scheduled for July in north Mississippi
June 10, 2016

Six free family law clinics are scheduled during July in Chancery Courts in Lee, Union, Alcorn, Tishomingo, Itawamba and Monroe counties. Low income people may be provided with free legal assistance with adoptions, child support modification, custody, conservatorships, guardianships, irreconcilable differences divorces, emancipations and name changes.

Access to Justice Commission to meet on June 7 in Jackson
June 2, 2016

The Access to Justice Commission will meet at noon June 7 at the Mississippi Bar Center at 643 North State Street in Jackson. Commission members will gather for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Parent Representation Committee to meet June 3
June 2, 2016

The Mississippi Parent Representation Committee will meet at 10 a.m. June 3 to discuss funding for pilot programs that provide legal representation to parents facing the possibility of having their children taken away and standards for attorney representation.

Retired Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon died May 26
May 26, 2016

Retired Circuit Judge Marcus D. Gordon of Union died on Thursday, May 26, at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson. He was 84.

Court language interpreter seminar set for June 15-16 in Long Beach
May 17, 2016

The Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts is seeking to recruit language interpreters for court proceedings. AOC will conduct a seminar to introduce bilingual speakers to the requirements for court interpreting on June 15-16 at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach.

Commission on Children’s Justice to meet on May 16 in Jackson
May 10, 2016

The Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice will meet at 11 a.m. May 16 at the Capitol in Room 103.

Hinds Drug Court graduation set for May 18
May 9, 2016

As graduation season approaches, schools aren’t the only institutions preparing to mark milestones. Eight people who have struggled with drug addiction and found sobriety and drug-free lifestyles will be honored at the Hinds Circuit Drug Court graduation ceremony at 6 p.m. May 18.

Mississippi trial court judges elect conference officers
May 4, 2016

Mississippi trial court judges elected officers at the Spring Trial and Appellate Judges Conference in Biloxi on April 27.

Three judges inducted as Fellows of Mississippi Bar Foundation
May 2, 2016

Court of Appeals Judge David M. Ishee of Gulfport, Circuit Judge Dal Williamson of Laurel and Chancellor Cynthia Brewer of Madison County were inducted as a Fellows of the Mississippi Bar Foundation on April 14. They were among 20 inductees recognized at a dinner ceremony at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson.

Investiture of Judge Linda Coleman set for April 24 in Cleveland
April 20, 2016

An investiture ceremony for Circuit Court Judge Linda F. Coleman is scheduled for 3 p.m. April 24 at the Bolivar County Courthouse in Cleveland. Justice Leslie D. King of Greenville will administer the ceremonial oath.

Medical-Legal Partnership Learning Session set for May 4 at Jackson Medical Mall
April 19, 2016

The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission, Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office of Health Disparity Elimination and the Mississippi Center for Justice will host a MedicalLegal Partnership Learning Session on May 4 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Conference Room at the Jackson Medical Mall, 350 West Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson. The session will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.

Governor signs child protection legislation
April 18, 2016

Gov. Phil Bryant today signed into law the Termination of Parental Rights Act and the Juvenile Detention Licensing Act.

Court of Appeals to visit University of Mississippi on April 21
April 15, 2016

The Mississippi Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on the campus of the University of Mississippi at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. April 21. A three-member panel of the court will convene at the Robert C. Khayat Law Center in Moot Court 1, Room 2078, to hear two criminal appeals.

Reentry Council makes recommendations on jobs, housing, mental health
April 14, 2016

The Mississippi Reentry Council today made recommendations regarding employment, housing, mental health care and other issues affecting former inmates after their release from prison.

WINGS to discuss proposed legislation to protect vulnerable adults on April 15
April 11, 2016

WINGS, the Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders, will meet at 10 a.m. April 15 at the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson.

Church, courts and child protection office work to recruit and train foster parents
April 11, 2016

A Gulfport church, courts and the Division of Family and Children’s Services are working together to train prospective foster parents in an effort to provide safe temporary homes for hundreds of abused and neglected children in Harrison County.

Expungment assistance clinics scheduled in Hattiesburg and Jackson
April 8, 2016

Free legal assistance events are scheduled for April 25 and May 6 in Jackson and on May 19 in Hattiesburg to help low income with record expungement.

img 1817 Mississippi Constitution to be on display at State Library in Jackson April 12
April 8, 2016

The original 1817 Mississippi Constitution will be on display on Tuesday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Law Library in Jackson.

img Retired Chancellor Sebe Dale died April 5, 2016
April 5, 2016

Retired Chancellor Sebe Dale Jr. died Tuesday, April 5, at his home in Columbia. He was 94.

Free family law clinics set for March or April around North Mississippi
March 28, 2016

Free family law clinic are scheduled during March and April in Chancery Courts in Lee, Union, Monroe, and DeSoto counties.

imgJudge Linda Coleman sworn in at the Capitol before former Legislative colleagues
March 22, 2016

Newly appointed Circuit Court Judge Linda F. Coleman of Mound Bayou took the oath of office at the Capitol before her former colleagues in the Mississippi House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 22.

Free family law clinic set for March 31 in Gulfport
March 21, 2016

Harrison County Youth Court recently added a Family Drug Court to assist parents whose drug problems have resulted in their children being taken into the custody of the Department of Human Services or being involved in proceedings with DHS and the Youth Court.

Harrison County Family Drug Court addresses addiction that divides parents and children
March 11, 2016

Harrison County Youth Court recently added a Family Drug Court to assist parents whose drug problems have resulted in their children being taken into the custody of the Department of Human Services or being involved in proceedings with DHS and the Youth Court.

img Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon retires after more than 36 years on bench
March 4, 2016

Circuit Judge Marcus D. Gordon on Friday, March 4, announced his retirement from the Eighth District Circuit Court of Leake, Neshoba, Newton and Scott counties.

Justice Beam investiture ceremonies set for March 7 in Gulfport and Hattiesburg
March 3, 2016

Investiture ceremonies for Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Dawn H. Beam are scheduled for March 7 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Gulfport and at 3p.m. at Bennett Auditorium on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

img Legislators commend Access to Justice Commission for work to help the poor
March 2, 2016

The Mississippi House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 1, recognized the Access to Justice Commission for a decade of work to improve poor people’s access to the civil justice system.

Access to Justice Commission to meet on March 1 in Jackson
February 26, 2016

The Access to Justice Commission will meet at noon March 1 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson.

Commission on Judicial Performance has new leaders, new member
February 19, 2016

Rick J. Coulter of Columbia is the new chairman of the Commission on Judicial Performance, and Circuit Judge James L. Roberts Jr. of Pontotoc is vice-chair.

img Governor calls Justice Beam a calm, experienced judge
February 16, 2016

Gov. Phil Bryant said that a calm demeanor and extensive work with children, families and the Department of Human Services made Justice Dawn Beam his choice as the newest member of the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Third Circuit Drug Court graduation is Feb. 16 in Oxford
February 11, 2016

Mississippi Judical College Director and former Supreme Court Justice Randy Pierce will be the guest speaker at the Third Circuit Drug Court graduation ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb.16 at the Lafayette County Courhouse in Oxford.

img Justice Beam to take Supreme Court oath of office Feb. 16
February 10, 2016

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Dawn H. Beam of Sumrall will be sworn in at 9 a.m. Feb. 16 as the newest member of the state’s highest court

img Judge Jim Greenlee takes oath of office
January 20, 2016

Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Jim Greenlee of Oxford took the oath of office Wednesday, Jan. 20, before his new colleagues in the Court of Appeals courtroom in Jackson.

img Justice Ann Lamar will not seek re-election to Supreme Court
January 15, 2016

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Ann H. Lamar will not seek re-election to the court at the end of her term. She announced today that she plans to leave the court when her current term ends in December 2016.

Chancery Courts in Forrest and Lamar counties to begin e-filing
January 14, 2016

Chancery Courts in Forrest and Lamar counties will begin voluntary electronic filing of court documents on January 18, and e-filing will become mandatory on February 15.

img Stephen Parks selected as new head of State Law Library
January 8, 2016

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Ann H. Lamar will not seek re-election to the court at the end of her term. She announced today that she plans to leave the court when her current term ends in December 2016.

Judge Claiborne "Buddy" McDonald investiture set for January 8 in Poplarville
January 5, 2016

An investiture ceremony for new Circuit Court Judge Claiborne "Buddy" McDonald is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Pearl River County Courthouse in Poplarville.