Jackson Jambalaya

Anyone know if Patton is retiring?

surely there is some protection built into our justice system to prevent whack jobs like her from being elected a judge??? please tell me there is

"surely there is some protection built into our justice system to prevent whack jobs like her from being elected a judge???"

I think not.

Patton is retiring, according to what I've been told. He announced that before Mz Stokes filed her papers to run.

As to the 'protection' you are asking for, it is there. You must be a licensed and practicing attorney. Ooops - someone did give this woman a law degree. Guess that shows what standards it takes to be a lawyer!

Someone help me here. What are the responsibilities of a county judge? I know what circuit, chancery and justice court judges do, but what sorts of issues go before a county judge?

Jobba the HAT (soon to be with a black robe too). Yikes!!!!

wasn't there an issue with a Judge Payne? Do Richard Schwartz or Don Evans live in Hinds County?

We must start raising money to keep this from happening asap!! I live in Rankin County, but that is close enough to Hinds County, that the thought of this woman as a judge makes me sick.

They both live in Madison County

Richard Scwartz and Don Evans make 200 times what this chump job pays.

I've got to go to the medicine cabinet to find something to remove the image from my mind. It's flashing and won't go away. Larooter in a black robe the size of a 3-man Coleman tent, wearing a black hat the size of a '58 Olds hub cab.

Here's an even more disturbing image: Larooter returning home each night to Kenny's singing, "here come da judge, here come da judge."

Anyone who shops or does business in Hinds County should worry about this.

Better find a legitimate opponent and get money behind him/her asap. It needs to be a lawyer with experience and a human brain, the key elements LaRita lacks. A black man or woman with sense could get the white vote and prevent LaRita from monopolizing the black vote. And the campaign should highlight LaRita's lack of court experience. When was the last time she represented anyone in court or in any legal preceding? Who would be dumb enough to hire her? I bet even those blind enough to vote her on the Council wouldn't turn to her for legal representation, even if she worked for free. Kingfish, can you possibly look into what she has done as a lawyer? Id love to know. I bet it's not much.

If she wins, pants saggers and anyone with white skin, beware.

I just can't feel sorry for y'all over this one. While those who pass through Hinds County are theoretically at risk of being affected, the only ones who really have to deal with this are the dumbest permanent residents of the tri-county area who continue to live in Jackson or other parts of Hinds County. Frankly, the rest of us are getting a little tired of the wailing and gnashing of teeth when something like this happens. YOU LIVE IN KUSHVILLE! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? But hey, you've got a Whole Foods now! Bitchin'!!!

Hey D/A AT 4:02. The Jackson area represented by Stokes didn't look the same way only a few decades ago. Neither did west Jackson, nor NE Jackson. And most of Flowood, Ridgeland and Madison didn't exist.

But an apple starts rotting at the core, but it doesn't take long to work its way out. As the middle of Jackson has rotted, it has pushed out - and now areas around the northern and southern border of Hinds look like the inner city used to. And whether you want to believe it or not, it will not stop at the county line. You think you are insulated?
Just start looking around you - if Jackson doesn't get cured soon, your neighborhood isn't far away. Just look at the statistics and demographics of the past two censuses. And figure out why the changes are happening. Guess though, you can pack up your bags and move on up into Holmes County. Oooops. That doesn't work either.

4;02, I would like to cordially invite you to never set foot in Hinds County. You (anonymous, as in afraid to give your identity) are not the kind of person Hinds County wants or needs.

Appellate filings are about to skyrocket.

larita is a member of the Mississippi Bar; however Section 154 of the Constitution requires that the qualification to be a county judge includes "5 years experience PRACTICING law..."

Does she have a "practice"? if not, somebody needs to file a challege to her qualifications to run.

FALLACY ALERT *** FALLACY ALERT

But an apple starts rotting at the core, but it doesn't take long to work its way out. As the middle of Jackson has rotted, it has pushed out - and now areas around the northern and southern border of Hinds look like the inner city used to. And whether you want to believe it or not, it will not stop at the county line.

Contagion or domino theory. Slippery slope fallacy.

FALLACY ALERT *** FALLACY ALERT

Hey, how's this, ya'll? Seems like Lee lost the election to Chunky Lumpy because he was portrayed as being favorable to whites. How about use a little reverse psychology and have a group of Caucasian business leaders come out IN SUPPORT of Stokes? Then whoever is running against her can say SHE is favoring the white population!

Farting in a whirwind. She does not qualify for the office. Period.

This sort of thing is why we need appointed judges, folks. It won't guarantee qualified non-idiots, but it will help.

Anderson - you and I are in agreement; a rare situation!

4:31 - Correct on the constitutional requirements. I have been told that she is not a 'practicing' lawyer and that she has not 'practiced' law for a long time or maybe ever. She (as does Kenneth) have a degree.

But I have only been told that - need some help in determining if in fact it is correct. Frankly if she was practicing I wouldn't be one that would know it! Maybe some attorneys on here can help with specifics. Once the info is in hand, the time to challenge her qualification is after qualifying deadline in May. (Gives plenty of time to get the facts.)

She's a member of the MS BAR with active status though my guess is that the only thing she practices is schemes and scams with Kennuf.

6:22,

If she's a member of the bar then the bar needs to update its online directory. Neither she or kennuff are listed.

Would somebody answer a couple of questions and save me some research time:

1) Is this a county wide election or are the voters limited to voting in the judicial subdistrict they live in?

2) Where can I find a copy of a hinds county map broken down by subdistrict online? The Hinds County website has broken links.

Thanks.

LaRita M. Cooper

Kennuf goes by "Big FAT Ass" but isn't listed.

To 7:53,

A search at www.msbar.org (at the bottom click on Lawyer Directory then type Cooper then click Search) reveals LaRita Cooper as a bar member.  A search for Stokes reveals 4 attorneys named Stokes but no Kenneth.

See http://msbar.org/lawyer-directory-search.aspx?searchTerm=cooper&SearchField=memberLastName&SearchButton=Search

7:53,

Look under Cooper, her maiden name. You won't find Mr. Stokes listed.

I am Judge Winston Kidd

Kennuff is not an attorney. His daughter and wife are loosely defined as attorneys. His wife is not a practicing attorney.

I cannot continue. The visions of Laugh In from the 60s have taken over my skull.

I agree that electing judges has served only to politicize the judicial system. Politics doesn't care about competence.

An alternative would be to raise the qualifications.

I'd require having been in the top 50% of an accredited law school, passing the bar the first time taken with a score in the top 75% and having a minimum number of appearances as counsel before the court in the last 5 years would be a start.

I'd also require that each candidate must make his or her legal resume available on line which would have to include class standing, legal experience and achievements, Martindale Hubbell rating,and number of clients represented in court.

What law school for each?

8:27 - try to answer your questions.

1) Hinds County is divided into three judicial districts for County Court judges. Only those people who live in the district can vote for that particular judge (but the candidate doesn't have to live in the district - only in Hinds County)

2) Don't know that right now you can find a map online. The new Hinds County website doesn't give you a way to see it. I went to the election returns to figure out which precincts are in the district - not an easy way to get there! Basically it is the area around Hawkins Field, Medger Evers Blvd, Lanier School - thru west Jackson and going to the NW part of the county. It does include most if not all of Stokes city council district.

I am working on getting an exact description of the lines - be glad to share it once developed.

9:29 - I think they both graduated from a South Texas college - don't know the name but not one of the 'highly rated' law schools of our country!

Larita is barred.

9:29 - I think they both graduated from a South Texas college - don't know the name but not one of the 'highly rated' law schools of our country!

Thurgood Marshall....Houston

" passing the bar the first time taken with a score in the top 75%"

That would disqualify a lot of excellent lawyers who've learned on the job. Don't be under the illusion that law school teaches you the law. (Leaving aside that few attorneys have the slightest clue what their score even was.)

Decent attorneys with excellent career and income prospects don't set their sights on these jobs. In reality, the pay scales and qualifications for these positions are set so as to interest precisely who they attract ~ people like Larita Stokes.

How many MBAs search the management career opportunities at Sam's Club website?

If you can't get out of law school and know enough basic legal principles to come into the top 75% on a the Bar Exam, you can practice law, but you aren't good enough to be a judge!
Law school is supposed to teach you how to THINK.

If you went through law school and didn't figure THAT out, God help your clients!

I agree you can make more money in private practice. But, you can also make enough money in private practice to give back.

We actually have some first rate legal minds who are judges and who were successful in law practices. Grady Jolly and Kent McDaniel come immediately to mind.

If the two political parties would care about competence and not expect loyalty to trump conscience, they could recruit more than a few first rate lawyers nearing retirement. I've a long list, some of whom teach occasionally at MC Law School.

There USE to be an understanding by both parties in most parts of this Nation that it was in their mutual interest to have competence on the bench!

AND THIS IS ALL THERE IS ON THE MS BAR WEBSITE?

Name: LaRita M Cooper
Company:Attorney at Law
Admit Date:09/13/1985
Mail Address:P O Box 23782
Jackson, MS 39225-3782
Status:Active

Ok, about all I can find for Larita is a Mississippi African American Chamber of Commerce, not to be confused with the Black Chamber of Commerce. The MAACoC was started by a clan of Stokes according to the SOS office. That said, maybe someone more familiar with GuideStar can dig up a filing or two.

2:38 Why so surprised?

It lists all of her major professional accomplishments right next to all of her friends.

So, would you advocate changing to appointed judges and wind up with those appointed by....guess who? Pick one.

"EXPERIENCE says a lot!"

Bridgette McDade Clayton, a seasoned private attorney and current sitting judge has qualified to run as a candidate for Hinds County Court Judge, District 2 in the November 4, 2014 Jackson, MS election.

Clayton is a hardworking, dedicated and experienced legal professional. A judge for many years and a person of great integrity, she will offer Hinds County voters an excellent choice to consider on November 4.