Friday, July 3, 2015

Meet Kelly Williams, Esquire

Madison County District 3 Justice Court judge candidate Kelly Williams penned this essay introducing herself to the voters. 

WHY I’M RUNNING…

As I continue down the campaign trail, one of the questions that I'm asked frequently is: "why should I vote for you?" So I wanted to take a minute and tell everybody why I'm running for Madison County Justice Court Judge, District 3. There are actually a couple reasons why I think I'm well-suited for the position. Like I said, some people already know and if you've already heard it, then please just bear with me.


Kelly Williams, Esq.
The first reason is that I feel strongly that Justice Court Judges should be lawyers. While the law doesn't require this, I think it is important that Justice Court Judges have a fundamental understanding of due process. This is certainly not to suggest that a law degree is needed to read a statute or law, but being a judge is much more than reading a statute. In addition to being a lawyer, I believe a Justice Court Judge-and all judges for that matter-have to have common sense. This is an absolute must in Justice Court in particular, because more people will find themselves in Justice Court than any other court in our Judicial system and many, if not most, will find themselves unrepresented. This is because of the relatively low civil jurisdiction, being that Justice Court handles civil matters not to exceed more than about $3500 and generally speaking deals with misdemeanors to include DUI 1st and 2nd, traffic citations and bond hearings.

For example, let’s say I'm sued for $3500 and I go to a lawyer to hire them to represent me. Well, in many cases, that lawyer is going to charge me more than $3500, so that's a no brainer. I'm certainly not going to do that, so I'm likely going to go to court on my own without a lawyer. The Plaintiff will probably also not be represented, because in Justice Court to start your case you need only to initiate some paperwork, such as an affidavit, and the Clerks are good at guiding people through that process. This is rightly so since Justice Court is still the people's court. So now we have two parties, neither of whom is represented by lawyers. If you throw a judge into that mix who is not a lawyer, then you have problems. On the other side of that coin, that need for knowledge and understanding of due process is matched by a need for common sense. There must be common sense application of the law. Without both of these, you end up with bad decisions that affect people's lives.

The second reason is a little closer to home for me. As some of you know, my family has a long history of military support and service. My grandfather served in WWI and all three of my uncles served in WWII, one of whom was killed shortly before the war ended and remains buried in a memorial cemetery over seas. My father was Air Force and flew in Viet Nam and later served in the Air Guard. My husband served during the Gulf War and was stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln and my mother, who is a nurse, retired from the Army National Guard as a full-bird Colonel. I will never be able to compare to that kind of service. Those in my family who've come before me contributed to our way of life in a way to which my contributions will not compare. My contributions to this community and country will, in large part, come in how I raise my children, my charitable contributions and how I use my education, experience and skill set. The last of these I believe make me the best-suited candidate for Madison County Justice Court Judge. Finally, I do have judicial experience. For the last five years I have presided over abuse and neglect adjudications and Delinquency proceedings.

I want to thank everyone for their support. I can't express how much it means to me. We're out of t-shirts, but ordering more and we've got more signs coming in today. Please let me know if you'd like either and visit www.kellywilliamsforjudge.com to get involved. Please get out and vote on August 4th and please consider voting for me. I need your vote!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know Kelly as a classmate and from being a degree or two removed from one of her clients. As such, I'd be happy to have her as my judge in Justice Court. She would do a great job.

Anonymous said...

Agree that these seats, if we MUST have them, should be occupied by attorneys.

Anonymous said...

The justice court worked very well for quite a few years until some lawyers decided to take it over. If a lawyer was a good lawyer, that is one who was competent enough to represent clients for a fee, why would he want a job that pays as little as a justice court judge makes. On the other hand, if said lawyer was not competent enough to make a good living from the practice of law, I suppose a low paying justice court judge job would massage his or her ego since they do wear black robes and look like judges.

Anonymous said...

Should the State Auditor be a CPA?

Occupational Requirements said...

No. One doesn't have to be a baker to spot a hand in the cookie jar.

Anonymous said...

Of the four jc judges currently on the bench in Madison County only two are attorneys. THat is up from none were attorneys four years ago. Judges and attorneys have been in one another's pockets for years. Its a special little club that only those that have passed the BAR belong to and I promise you they take care of their own.

Jeff Rimes said...

In Mississippi, judges are regulated by the Judicial Performance Commission. The vast majority of complaints against judges and of judges being disciplined involve justice court judges. That is because we still have non-lawyers as justice court judges. Anyone who argues otherwise is just ignoring the facts.

Experience matters said...

I urge you to support Kelly Williams, the most experience lawyer in the race!



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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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