Jackson attorney Abby Robinson submitted this guest column. She originally submitted it to the Mississippi Bar as a response to Bar President Amanda Tollison's recent statement on race.
I am attorney Abby Robinson, and I write you to first honor you for having the courage and the audacity to speak to a very serious matter in our country today, "BLACK LIVES MATTER." Your June 5, 2020 message from the Mississippi Bar Association.
Amanda, although your words that systemic racism has no place in our Mississippi judicial system, such thinking is merely words. Your message on the heels of my birthday, and to watch young people, in the midst of a health pandemic fight for injustice, inequality and justice reform in this country was enough to motivate me to respond.
You see, I grew up from parents of third grade education, I am a 25 years of business construction black female owner, and at one time, the only licensed black commercial female builder in Mississippi. Then around (10) years ago, I decided to apply and travel to law school in Louisiana, believing that I could do something, to help what I have seen as a need for real legal change in Mississippi.
As a result, I became barred in Mississippi in 2016 and since, opened my own law firm, ABBY ROBINSON LAW FIRM PLLC, now ABBY ROBINSON AND ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM PLLC, and now barred in the 5th Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. This firm has taken on giants, including government alleged wrongful actions, medical providers tortfeasors, and the criminal injustice by some of our state prosecutors.
Today, I tearfully write you to express what I have encountered while fighting these daily racially inequalities by some of Mississippi courtrooms and judicial challenges.
First, I often see white judges that sit from the bench in conversation with defendants attorneys, talking about their hunting expeditions, golfing, the private school activities of the children/grandchildren, their social and church atmosphere and more. However, when its my time to stand and speak to the court, and while personally always say good morning or afternoon your honor, but find no friendly address back to me from these same judges. In fact, it is so obvious that these same judicial oļ¬cials always make it clear through their gatekeeping, and during my court sessions, to favor any and all objections by the opposing attorney, of whom the judge just showed the audience that he and that white lawyer has a past. So, to me, as a black female lawyer, the so called justice scale is still much like the "Jim Crow Laws of old," only now its more educated. This is so consistent until I have named our current Mississippi justice system "Jim Crow's Grandchildren laws."
You see, that likely shocks you and others, but in the eyes of a black female lawyer, that is all it can be. Black people in the state of Mississippi, has no ideal why the laws that are in black and white, as well as in the nations constitution, are not used for black litigators as they are for whites in Mississippi, and our nation, for that matter.
But be unnerved, the legal inequalities that I am speaking of, are found also in our District Courts in Mississippi. I have seen Magistrates and District Judges in Mississippi literally hold a bother to brother close conversation with white attorneys and then have the nerve to sit on the bench and favor the same attorney in all that that attorney request of the court, and even when I, the new black female quote a rule and/or case verbatim that would distinguish such favor.
You might say, that doesn't have to be racist. My response to you or others is, You are not black. Remember we have been told by our ancestors of the white systemic plague of "keeping black people in their place." It appears from the seat that I have been so blessed to sit, that, so long as I know my place, that is to say, " beneath the white man," I can enter into the courtrooms of Mississippi but the laws and the applicability of the laws does not apply to black lawyers, instead, they appear to be for "whites only."
If I rebuke any ruling or object to any legal argument, then I have been made to give the verbatim rule, as well as cite the exact case. Please keep in mind, such requirement by the Mississippi court is not an issue so long as my white counterpart is required to do the same, however, they were not.
So you have told the world in your blog that racism will not be tolerated in Mississippi judicial system, oh, but Ms. Tollison, I am here to write in response to your comments, it is very much so tolerated.
The question now becomes, who will be honest and stand up for the obvious inequality to black lawyers? Will you, will they? Who? Because from where I sit in the courtroom, it appears that maybe black judges will, and that's only because the litigants are a familiar face.
Ms. Tollison, for example. On Wednesday's 5:00 p.m. new, it was reported that Madison County Prosecutor, Pam Hancock, stated on her face book that she hopes that COVID is among the protestors marching. When asked if she thought such a comment was racially motivated, she replied, "I was just joking."
You see, here is a clear sign of Mississippi inequality, why would a prosecutor in Madison County be allowed to hold her position of prosecuting "BLACK PEOPLE," if she has foreseen the fate of such person(s) before hand. What has she revealed to next black defendant? More importantly, what has she revealed to Mississippi legalism? and What has Mississippi revealed to the black community in not publicly sanctioning such comments during the nation's march for equality. Who cares? I do, and it matters, black lives actually matters.
Ms. Tollison, you have met permission to print this response to your June 5, 2020 blog, who knows, maybe this will help, at least I and other black lawyers certainly hope so. This message to you is yours to print, I have no shame nor am I afraid of how judges may view my comments, I have spoken these words to some of them as well.
I myself, am a victim of racial injustice at this very minute, and because of what I see, what other black people are seeing, I am begging the Mississippi legal system boards, judges, attorneys, and citizens to leave this state better than what it was. Lets change for the sake of our children.
51 comments:
Very appropriate that this follows the article titled "Just A Thuggin". The attorneys and judges in town are some of the last people I expect to get with the times.
Yikes. This reads like a high school newspaper article. I almost considered printing it and highlighting all the grammar errors.
Wow all I took from that was that she is an emotionally immature woman of color who selfishly thinks the world should revolve around her.
Her arguments are that there is a magical gatekeeper that she can't pass because she doesn't hunt or play golf?
Cry more. Your salty tears and feminine hysterics have no place in a courtroom.
She is 100 percent correct as it relates to the conduct of 80 percent of the Old South Bar. Black lawyers aren't taken seriously in Mississippi unless they're twice as prepared and twice as skilled as their typically lazy white counterparts. If you're a black lawyer in MS you'd better have your shit wired tight. As always, exceptions are made if you're a very attractive black female lawyer that plays the game well.
"I myself am a victim"
But, don't look at my accomplishments that I listed in the first paragraphs.
This article should have been titled: 'I don't like white people"
Ms.Robinson talks of her opinion of the attitude of white judges that she appears before, although Ms Robinson spends much of her time in front of the Judges in Hinds County - who are all black.
And as one who also tries to practice in Hinds County, but unlike Ms. Robinson I am not black like those Judges. I could write a similar diatribe as Ms. Robinson's about the favoritism and the family connections in these courts that I see daily.
While this might bolster Ms. Robinson's claim she should realize that it is a two way street and that if what she claims is racism in our court system that my clients and my associates share the feeling. Maybe the difference is that I have never claimed it to be racism, but the reality of practicing in these majority black counties.
Her tears are delicious. She thinks the courtroom should be friendly and fair? It's a battleground.
This reminds me of the crybabies that have ruined the military and turned the USA into a paper tiger.
twice as skilled?
You know what being twice as good means? You're kicking alot of ass.
@10:49 AM Said...
"As always, exceptions are made if you're a very attractive black female lawyer that plays the game well.
Welcome to real life. Attractive people of all races get preferential treatment in every aspect of their amazing charmed lives.
Rule #1: don't be ugly
If she has a legitimate, specific complaint as to how a judge ruled in a case she was involved with then she needs to file it with the appropriate authorities.
What she alleges as racism is generally nothing more than reflecting the fact that judges and attorneys in local areas likely already knew each other from their youth. They have common interests and common connections. It is a judge's responsibility to ignore that when they rule though.
Here's an idea. See how well a white attorney or a white defendant fares in Judge Tommie Green's courtroom compared to a black one. Is she overtly racist, or does she favor the people she interacts with the most?
I'm also a mississippi lawyer. The only color i see is green, baby! You got the money, honey- i got the time!
I'd suggest that both Robinson's and Tollison's writings do contain actual points, and completely reasonable ones, but are wrapped in multiple layers of bullshit (and unfortunately in Robinson's case, um, odd phrasing). Any reasonable person, especially an officer of our courts, should believe in and strive for "equal justice for and to all." However any reasonable person, especially officers of our courts, knows that our courts have many issues, including racism and good ol' boy home-cookin', that commonly thwart equal justice for and to all. But here's the thing: the courts belong to the citizenry of the jurisdiction in question. Hinds County courts belong to citizens of Hinds County just as the COA and MSSC belong to all citizens of Mississippi. And every citizen elects the judges in those jurisdictions - some by casting a knowing vote, some by casting an uninformed vote, and many by failing to vote.
That said, be very careful about demanding justice. It doesn't take long to find cases where very unhappy, disappointed litigants and attorneys demanded "justice" and got exactly what they asked.
I find the chip on the shoulder quite unattractive.
Boo Hoo! Cry me a river!
What she is saying is true. It is almost identical to my experience practicing as a white lawyer in the Delta and Hinds County.
I'm a white lawyer. The same things she describes happened to me 30 years ago when I started practicing. Except it was much worse then. There were some old mean white judges who were abusive to young attorneys. Veteran attorneys know who I'm talking about.
If you can't handle judges being friendly with your adversaries, you aren't going to make it as trial lawyer in Mississippi. If you practice long enough, you become one of the attorneys judges are friendly with. When that happens you realize it wasn't as great as you thought when you were the rookie.
12:18, tru dat. But I have no complaints. I deal with it and move on. I know I can't change it or change them. Kill 'em with kindness and respect. That seems to have a positive effect.
Rather than a knee jerk reaction, maybe we should all step back and try to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Maybe everything Ms. Robinson says isn’t entirely correct, but just maybe there is some truth to what she says. Perception matters. Even when judges are not consciously trying to show favoritism, they sometimes do, or at least give that appearance. It isn’t necessarily always about race as such, but about familiarity with peers and social connections. And it can certainly appear to be racist when one is on the outside looking in and not included in the social exchanges and camaraderie between judges and lawyers. I’ve been the outsider looking in when in a court as an out-of-town lawyer. Had I been black and the lawyers and judges all white, it may well have had a more sinister appearance. Bottom line judges in particular, black or white, should be especially conscious of creating an appearance of bias in the courtroom in their demeanor with lawyers. Certainly, outside of court, judges will have friends and social networks. In the courtroom, those should not have any place. Perception does matter. Perception has real impact on our understanding of whether our system is fair and impartial, which is what we all, hopefully aspire for our system of justice to be.
The atrocious grammatical mistakes are too many to list (I like the above commenter’s idea of highlighting them (if we had but yellow ink enough and time!)These include (but are not limited to): wrong verb tenses; unnecessary apostrophes in some places, missing apostrophes where they are needed; commas used where a semi-colon ( or a new sentence) should be; weird random capitalizations of non-proper nouns, failure to capitalize words that require it; just outright use of a word that makes no sense in the sentence (e.g., “be unnerved...”)...and on, and on, and on.
When will people of all colors, genders, backgrounds, political persuasions realize, for God’s sake, that sincerity and passion for one’s topic is WASTED when presented so sloppily? I read her entire (overlong and repetitive) screed, and she lost me when the grammatical and syntactical bloopers started piling up. I forced myself to finish, but instead of that big change of heart she was hoping to effect in me, she only elicited a rueful, “Bless her heart.”
Learn to write. THEN state your case.
The only issue I take with Ms. Robinson's critique is that her belief she is being discriminated against when white judges ignore her legal arguments/citations to authority and rule in the favor of white attorneys is both conclusory and self-serving. She's only been practicing for 3 (going on 4) years and could very well be misapplying authorities, failing to address the correct standard or thinking a particular legal issue is important when it isn't. The problem with most white and black plaintiff's attorneys is that most of them don't research legal issues thoroughly and wind up making patently flawed arguments that fail to address the appropriate standard, contradict other precedent, or are just logically flawed. Lawyers are supposed to be well-versed in logical reasoning so that their arguments are not laden with fallacies like many of the comments found here and on social media outlets, yet few younger attorneys are. It makes turning their arguments around on them very easy. Understandably, this often leads to their embarrassment and fuels a need to justify the contrary ruling by attributing it to something out of their control.
What irritates me is that I'm already old. And my life was never fair. Now it appears that this generation has figured out the secret to making life fair. And I'm too old to enjoy the benefits!
11:02 - I am a white male lawyer who has appeared many times before Judge Green. I have always been treated fairly and, in my opinion, have won when I should have won based on the law and the facts.
Tbh, I had a decent experience in Tommie greens court. Of course I’m a white redneck who was suing a white pos contractor, so maybe that’s why. Plus my black friend was my attorney, so maybe that helped. I don’t condone her letting violent criminals loose as that makes me sick.
Black folks- let me shoot you straight. White folks against blm look at the crime in your community, plus that which spills into white communities and think to themselves, well that is why they have hard time with police. While you black folks rightly dwell on what happened the 400 years before that incident, while folks only think about what happened 5 minutes before that incident. An expectation gap of sorts.
White folks- all you people watching the riots on news and thinking black folks want to burn down your house, steal your shit, and commit other atrocities against you, just take a breath. Go visit the black folks you know. It will calm your nerves. It isn’t like that. Those 1,000 people burning down the target are the sorriest 1,000 people in a large city of millions. The other millions are sitting at home peacefully with not intention or want to hurt you.
Long story short I know lots of white and black folks in this state. Very few from either group want to see the other group hurt or suffer. So let’s just all chill. Share a beer, or a joint, or say a prayer together folks it’s going to be ok.
Learned a long time ago: "A good lawyer knows the law. A great lawyer knows the judge."
When all else fails, raise the race card.
1:15, that's a great assessment.
Based on one of the most poorly-written diatribes I may have ever read, I'd say to you, Ms. Robinson: is it possible you don't receive the respect you claim to "deserve" because you enter the courtroom unprepared? Are all of your legal documents as poorly written as the piece you penned to Ms. Tollison and are they presented along with the chip you most clearly have on your shoulder? I don't know what's going on in the courtrooms about which you complain, but if I were I a sitting judge, I wouldn't take you seriously.....and that wouldn't be MY fault, it would be YOURS (because you're in 100% control of how others view you and your work product.)
Respect is EARNED. It isn't granted when you become "barred" (which, incidentally, is a completely erroneous usage of that term!)
12:29 is 100% correct.
Perhaps she should offer SOLUTIONS instead of attacking the President of the Bar.
Another perspective from an African American attorney in Mississippi:
https://msbusiness.com/2020/06/orlando-r-richmond-why-i-resist-casual-friday-and-other-thoughts-on-diversity-and-inclusion-a-black-partners-perspective/
She hasn't paid her dues yet/made her bones. Indeed, respect is earned, not bought. That chip on her shoulder must be very heavy.
I've watched Black Judges and Black Attorneys do the exact same thing.
Instead of talking about the latest Tennis Coach drama at a Country Club, the Blacks talk about similar gossip that happened at the latest Benny Thompson fish fry.
What's the difference ?
I’m a white lawyer who has practiced in front of all kinds of judges in many counties in Miss. I think race plays a role, but the role it plays is unpredictable in my experience. I’ve known black judges that clearly treat black attorneys worse. I’ve been in a white judge’s chambers with a white lawyer who tried to impugn my client’s character because she was dating a black man. He lost miserably. Race is more like a potent wildcard than anything else. You never know exactly how it’s going to impact the case, yet it most certainly does impact it.
I think what she’s describing, more than anything, is home cooking and discrimination against new lawyers. That is widespread, blatant, and beyond debate. Local judges and local attorneys develop a bond that is incredibly hard to penetrate. They also develop their own notions of what the law is and what proper procedure is. Though they’re often wrong, or merely applying custom as opposed to law, they think they know exactly how it’s supposed to be. It’s obnoxious, but that’s the Mississippi bar. I just try to be respectful and kind, and that seems to work okay.
3:53 I just read Mr. Richmond's piece in the MS Business Journal, and I came away believing the chip on his shoulder dwarfs Ms. Robinson's! I was incredulous!
Our very own Kim Waaaaade gave a perfect analogy to situations like this just last week. He said (and I'm referring to Mr. Richmond's complaints): it would be like me inviting you into my home and me giving you free reign to do what you like. Go in every room, open any closet or piece of furniture you like. Eat any food in the refrigerator you like. Sleep in my bed. The pool is yours to use anytime you like. Basically, my house is yours. However, after me telling you this, you respond "well, I know you've offered all that, but I still just don't feel comfortable in here." At that point, it's no longer my problem. I can't do any more than I can do. If YOU don't feel comfortable after being provided all I can offer, that's YOUR problem. Likewise, are you likely to run into obstacles outside of the benefits I can offer? Yep, again, all I can do is all I can do, so that's not MY problem either.
Read Richmond's piece, and see if you don't come away feeling like "there aren't enough opportunities, benefits, situations, gifts, etc. in this world to satisfy a guy like that." Much of what he covered has been experienced by ALL of us, black AND white......but after all he's been provided - not in SPITE of the color of his skin, but BECAUSE of its color - it's still not enough.
Sorry. Not sorry.
Hmmm. Where to start?
1) Racism comes in all colors. Many whites can describe this exact same scenario being played out in black judge courtrooms. Substitute "Hunting, golfing, and private schools" with "Fishing, Cards, and Church" and the exact story could be told of a black judge in Hinds County.
2) Writing is an art. Poor Grammar overshadows legitimacy. Where did you go to law school again? Please take Freshman Comp again.
3) The difference between successful people and those whining about "society" is self discipline and work ethic... not color or education. There are plenty of successful blacks in Madison and Rankin Counties that don't whine about equality and conditions. Because they, as individuals... not as blacks, climbed out of the squaller.
4) Your passion does not equal everyone else's passion. My life is fine... actually good. Why change it? What's going to get me off the couch? I don't like the fact that a person was killed by police. I don't think anyone in their right mind would... black or white. Do I think justice should be served? Sure. However, when I see buildings being burned and black owned businesses being torched by BLM and Antifa, it certainly has the opposite effect. Any change energy at all was immediately extinguished and I changed the channel. I can't speak for all whites... but, if you want me on your side, find a better organized and less passionate way to do it. MLK would be rolling in his grave.
This is refreshing.
Comments here remind me of what first attracted me to JJ years ago.
Intelligent, articulate, and informative comments (from those much smarter than myself)... and without all the BS that's allowed through the filter nowadays.
The practice of law is hardly any different than making a living at any other profession. You must learn the ropes. If you are paranoid, or have a persecution complex based on your appearance, your race, your background, etc. that learning process will be extremely rough. That is because smart lawyers of all colors cultivate relationships with Judges, administrators, law enforcement, and whoever can advance their careers. Some are better than others. That's a fact of life and it is no different for the Black lawyer practicing in Hinds or Holmes County as it is for the White lawyer practicing in Rankin or Leake County. You might want to take a good look in the mirror next time you want to change your outcomes in court. That is, unless you are perfect. Your responsive composition indicates you are probably not. There are plenty of Black lawyers who have made a ton of cash all around this state and they play the system like a piano. It can be done. If you are certain it won't work for you, you might go back to construction or whatever.
Sorry Ms. Robinson, but your problem ain't race.
Therapy. Get some therapy.
The vast majority of attorneys in Hinds County happen to be white. The vast majority of judges and law enforcement officials in Hinds County happen to be black. That's fact. That's life. White lawyers live with it. If it bothers them so much they should just leave, cause it ain't changing soon. I would give the same advice to a black lawyer who finds the circumstances are not yet perfect somewhere else. So Ride...Ride...Ride.. in search of El Dorado...
Good Luck!
It has been my experience that the legal system is the closest thing we have to a level playing field. Most judges want to get it right, and none like being reversed on appeal. Putting in the work to be prepared for court is where respect is earned and cases are won.
I believe home-cooking is the exception, not the rule, as was well-discussed at 6:06. I haven't seen much discrimination against young lawyers in my 20 years of practice, though I've seen plenty who practice big egos rather than law. I've been guilty of that myself, and had to be cut down to size by attorneys (and judges) who had actually paid their dues. Those who stick it out have the opportunity to grow up and actually earn the respect that so many of us crave.
Look, I’m not saying there is no merit to her statements. As a young female defense attorney, I have definitely experienced the good old boy relationships between judges and local counsel. However, if the briefs and motions she has been submitting are of the same quality as this article, then I can’t say I’m surprised that rulings have not been going in her favor.
Say whatever else you want, there's no doubting it takes guts to publish this on JJ.
Truth of the matter is that with some notable exceptions, most of the lawyers in this state, black or white, couldn't hack it in a market where their daddy didn't go hunting with the judge.
I'm not a lawyer and don't know any who impress me. The problem here is not race, occupation or venue.
You come into any venue with your ass up on your shoulder with your lips pooched out in a big pout and your hands on your hips and you are not going to be appreciated, respected or treated well. That's a given. Learn it. You will not change it.
And this goes for every place of employment, every party you might attend, every meeting into which you might walk, any agency or point of service where you might present yourself and any gathering of others similar or dissimilar.
Your demeanor, body language, the way you present and carry yourself and your non-verbal communication will define you and will determine how you are received.
"You come into any venue with your ass up on your shoulder with your lips pooched out in a big pout and your hands on your hips and you are not going to be appreciated, respected or treated well. "
Ah - the legend of JJ.
Come for the enlightenment, stay for the poetry ;-)
For the record, until the last judicial election, Hinds County had an even number of black of black/white judges chancery/circuit judges. Now there are slightly more black judges than whites judges, but Hinds still have 2 elected whites judges. Judge Tiffany Grove beat out at least one black attorney running for that seat. All attorneys black and white enjoy practicing in front of her so she will likely have her seat for awhile. Black attorneys dont even run against Judge Thomas because they wont win because Judge Thomas is fair to everyone. Madison Rankin have no black judges, not one. And no black assistant district attorneys. So let's not take about what white attorney's have to put up with Hinds County. Real question, does a black attorney have a change to win a chancery/circuit election in Madison/Rankin??? And why no black assistant district attorneys?
And let be clear, I am not saying the lack of blacks is a sign of racism. I am saying race for most people affects your perspective. A lack of diversity in an office can have a negative effect. We can argue about that latter, but its true.
And you can say what you want to about Judges in HInds County, but no one can honestly say any of the Judges discriminate against them based on color. Say what you want about Judge Green, but there are a number of white attorneys who you give them a preference, would take Judge Green because they know she will not discriminate against them. She like all of us has her flaws, but discriminating against individuals is not one of them. Find one attorney that practices in front of her to say otherwise, it wont happen. Additionally, there are a number of white criminals who will say Judge Green was fair in their sentencing. Way fairer than they would have gotten with white judges in other counties.
I am amazed at the people on here pointing out the errors in the attorney's work. Look at some of the stuff that attorneys file with Court, this wont be nearly the worst you have ever seen.
Lastly, this attorney is entitled to her opinion. Other than giving you all something to argue about on a slow news day, I am not certain what this does for any of us.
Well, in Rankin and Madison they tend to be prosecutors first before running for judge unless they were first a County Court Judge a la Ratcliff and of course that brings us to the point of a dearth of prosecutors who are black.
Name a judge in Hinds County who was a prosecutor first? Can't, can you?
Now having said that, a black prosecutor once addressed that issue with me. He/she said there are very few prosecutors as there is pressure in the minority community for black lawyers not to become prosecutors. The point was that is why there are not that many out there to recruit. Look, I don't know how true that is so I won't even begin to speculate on that one. Just repeating what I was told. Feel free to fire away at it, won't hurt my feelings. In Hinds County you tend to see politicians, not prosecutors or successful lawyers becoming judges. Thomas was fairly successful but he was also a politician. Thomas, Green, Wooten, Weill, and Stokes were all politicians first. Peterson won election before as D.A. and Martin has played the political game for quite some time before becoming Chancellor as has Priester.
one of the best judges that ever occupied the bench in hinds county was county judge bill barnett. he had a sign in his office that said ''no whining''. that was not that long ago, but it's apparent ms. abby never got the message.
Without addressing what I perceive as merit in either individual's view, it's easy for me to conclude that Tollison's writing ability would better communicate any client's position in any court.
Good analysis, KF. I had an intuitive grasp of what you wrote, but didn't have the data to bring it into focus. It explains a lot. Thanks for the clarity.
As a black attorney, there is no pressure for black attorneys not to become prosecutors. Absolute nonsense. US Attorney office here in Jackson and throughout the state has several black prosecutors. DA office throughout the state routinely hire black prosecutors. But if you dont want one, you will come up with a reason not to hire one.
Faye Peterson was a prosecutor and she had no problem going to the bench in Hinds County. I agree Madison/Rankin like prosecutors for circuit judges. Hence the failure of that district attorney office to hire a qualified black contributes to the problem.
What about chancery court judges. Rankin has a chancellor who honestly has no significant practice. He was a longtime law clerk and staff attorney. Then the Judges appoint him to family master to give him experience as a judge. At the Board of Supervisors meeting where he appointment was discussed, even the Board said we dont normally appoint people to a position like this if they are running for judge because it could give them a leg up. Several people, even the sheriff say I support this person and he should be appointed. He was and he used that experience to be elected judge. Now he is a chancellor. When its time for an appointment for higher court, people will say he has experience for Judge and he should be appointed. They will look at a black attorney and say they dont have experience. But the Judge that does have experience has it as a direct result of the good old boy system. Not racism, but it definitely a system where blacks are left out alot more than whites.
That's why I repeated that comment. You came on here and told it the way it is. Best way to deal with such things is sunlight.
However, I would say Judge Peterson was a D.A. but that is a politician of sorts. Have to fund-raise, build a base, knock on doors, etc. Big deal when running against a lawyer who has never run for office before.
The politicians don't lose too much if you haven't noticed.
In Mississippi the Judge is always the one who got the most votes, but not always the lawyer who knows the most law. Every now and then, sometimes, you get both. Either way, it means that public relations plays a huge role in the judiciary and all good lawyers who intend to practice successfully in front of judges know this. Black or White no big difference.
In my experience the comment at 6:32 is more true of Hinds County than other counties. I just don't see the level of politics in the judiciary in other counties that I see in Hinds County (the City of Jackson). I suspect it's because Jackson is the seat of state government, and where most politicians, lobbyists, etc., conduct most of their business, i.e., the political culture of Jackson infects the legal system here. I think that's why Jackson lawyers tend to perceive home-cooking everywhere outside of Jackson - they no longer have the political advantages they are accustomed to having.
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