Friday, July 24, 2020

Special Judges Assigned to Hinds County

The Mississippi Supreme Court issued the following statement.


Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph on Friday appointed four special judges at the request of the Hinds Chancery Court and Hinds County Court judges to assist in handling the backlog of cases that have resulted from delays caused by COVID-19.

More special judges are expected to be appointed to temporarily assist judges in districts across the state. COVID-19 has presented a multitude of challenges to the prompt and efficient administration of justice. The disruption caused by COVID-19 required an untold number of continuances since it was declared a national emergency on March 13. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 cases may have been affected.

Retired Hinds County Chancery Judges Patricia D. Wise of Jackson and William H. Singletary of Clinton were appointed to assist the four chancellors of the Hinds Chancery Court at the request of Senior Chancellor Denise Owens. Resident Jurist John N. Hudson of Natchez was appointed to assist recently appointed Hinds County Court Judge Carlyn M. Hicks in Youth Court, at her request. Former Hinds County Court Judge James D. Bell of Jackson was appointed to assist Hinds County Court Judge LaRita Cooper-Stokes, at her request.

The Mississippi Legislature appropriated $2.5 million of CARES Act money to assist the courts. Special judges to be appointed around the state will be paid with Cares Act funds which will be available through Dec. 30, 2020.

Chief Justice Randolph entered Emergency Administrative Order 13 on July 23 to address the needs and the plan to appoint special judges to address the backlog. The order says, “Despite the dangers and inconveniences presented by COVID-19, our courts remain open and continue to administer justice. At every jurisdictional level, our judges have admirably served the citizens throughout this crisis. Despite the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent disruptions caused, judges continue to conduct proceedings, including trials. Despite their best efforts, case management and docket control have suffered due to COVID-19.”

Chancellor Wise and Chancellor Singletary retired from the Hinds Chancery Court in December 2018. Chancellor Wise served on the Chancery bench for 29 ½ years, and Chancellor Singletary, for 24 years. Judge Bell served on the Hinds County Court for seven years, 1983 - 1989, including sitting as a special circuit judge. He left the bench to return to private law practice, and has served as a senior status judge by appointment for many years. Judge Hudson retired from the Adams County Court and Youth Court bench in December 2014 after 31 years of service. The Supreme Court appointed him as Jurist in Residence on April 1, 2015, to assist Youth Courts across the state

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice to see some in the Hinds County judiciary seeking assistance; a slate of good appointments.

Your turn to seek assistance, circuit court.

Anonymous said...

Where‘s the Weill special Circuit judge appointment? That would ruffle some feathers.

Anonymous said...

Circuit could use some special judges but then you would need more prosecutors and public defenders. Not Weill, though.

Anonymous said...

Won't be a Jeff Weill special appointment. The Supreme Court knows he is a Michigan born nutcase.

Anonymous said...

Do these jobs come with instructions or do they attend a refresher seminar conducted by Judge Blessing?

Anonymous said...

The circuit court was beyond jammed before COVID. The wheels of justice turn ever so slowly. Will Tommie ask for help?

Anonymous said...

If Hinds County needs more Judges, they should be elected and chosen by the voters, not appointed by persons not accountable to the voters. The citizens should decide who they want their judges to be and should hold them accountable.

Anonymous said...

Don't such appointments have to be emergency temporary selections or otherwise they would be unconstitutional? If so, what's the reasonable definition of "temporary". And should the parties to a contested action have the right to protest the assignment of one of these judges to their case? Just wondering.

Anonymous said...

The reason Hinds County needs more judges is BECAUSE the ones they have were chosen by THEIR voters.

Anonymous said...

No judge should ever be elected. And i disagree they arent held accountable. They can be impeached.

Anonymous said...

Judge Weill is a good judge; he is a little hard of hearing.

Anonymous said...

12:58 - Please state the process by which judges are 'impeached'.

Anonymous said...

Singletary - the guy who did this: https://courts.ms.gov/Images/Opinions/CO123912.pdf

And no lawyer wants the senior Wise back on the bitch except maybe the Priesters. She treats everyone else like shit.

Anonymous said...

Singletary is a hell of a pianist. Great to have at Christmas parties.

Anonymous said...

Did the Chief Justice also appoint more Assistant DA's, public defenders, court administrators, court reporters, and bailiffs?



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

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.

Note: Security provided by INS
.