Tag Archives: chancery court

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

The Race is ON! Electing Judges Mississippi style.

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In Mississippi we pick our judges like we pick class favorites. The winner is whoever gets the most votes. The qualifying deadline passed, just minutes ago, and below are your candidates.

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This post is focused on certain Family Law Judge races primarily, because that is what I primarily do. I will expound on other judicial races in future posts. This link will take you to all of the candidates.

Races to Watch.

HINDS COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-1

Dewayne Thomas 

Unopposed. Congratulations Judge Thomas.

Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-2

Patricia Wise – Current Chancellor – Withdrawn

The rumor mill had her retiring effective the end of this year and that appears true as she is not listed among the candidates.

Reginald Harrion 

Qualified early and is in it to win it.

Crystal Wise Martin

Recently qualified. Interestingly, this is Judge Wise’s daughter. She was technically running against her mother for a few weeks.

Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-3

Denise Owens 

Unopposed. The current Senior Chancellor is signing  up for 4 more years. Congratulations Judge Owens

Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-4

Steven P. Nixon 

Qualified early and was hoping to be the only candidate in the field. However, three additional candidates qualified to run for this spot this week. This is an Open seat due to Judge Singletary’s announced retirement.

Tiffany Grove

Qualified this week.

Monique Brown-Barrett

Qualified this week.

Ottawa Carter, Jr. 

Qualified this week.

RANKIN COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge 20, 1

John C. McLaurin, Jr. 

Unopposed. Congratulations Judge McLaurin.

Chancery Court Judge 20, 1

Tamekia Cooper Bennett

Mel Coxwell

Troy Odom

Place 2 is the race to watch in Rankin. Judicial stalwart John Grant is retiring.

Chancery Court Judge 20, 3

Haydn J. Roberts 

Unopposed. Congratulations Judge Roberts

LAUDERDALE COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge 12 – 1 (includes other areas)

Charles E. “Charlie” Smith
Frances Smith Stephenson 

This should be a tight race. This is an open seat due to Judge Mason’s retirement. The winner will have big shoes to fill with Mason’s retirement, but will have perhaps the best asset possible across the hall for all things Chancery, their colleague Judge Larry Primeaux.

LEFLORE COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge 7, Sub 7-2 (includes additional Delta counties)

Katherine Tackett Mills 
Willie J. Perkins, Sr. 
Richard W. Ryals, II

This is an open seat due to Judge Barnwell’s retirement.

SIMPSON COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge 13, 1

David Shoemake

Allen Buffington

Judge Shoemake had an opponent early on who withdrew to run for Andy Gipson’s position once Gipson was elevated (removed) from the legislature. Buffington is a familiar name, but it is NOT the previous Judge Buffington, that was Larry. This will be an interesting race to watch. Shoemake has some weak spots…

THE COAST

Chancery Court Judge 8, 3

Margaret Alfonso 
Diane Herman Ellis
Sanford R. (Sandy) Steckler

This race is exciting because of the candidates. Judge Steckler is the incumbent. Judge Alfonso is a former Chancellor who left Chancery for Youth Court (County Court) and is now running. This makes a very recent former Chancellor against a current Chancellor and they actually served together.

Attorney Ellis, a practitioner, has some acclaim for a case of first impression in Mississippi that ultimately made law that a child born of the marriage, of a same-sex marriage is of the marriage, even though genetic material may have come from a different source.

There are other hotly contested races in Starkville, Hattiesburg, the Coast and other judicial positions. Stay tuned for the 411!

Matthew Thompson is a lawyer and will likely run for judge in 15-25 years. It’s never too early to start campaigning!

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Here Comes the Judge; Election Results

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Mississippians elected some new Judges and re-hired some familiar ones.  Of the contested elections here’s what we have so far.

Winners in Bold.

Chancery Court, District 11, Place 1 (Madison, Yazoo and Holmes)

This is a new Judge as Judge Goree is retiring.

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 2 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 3 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 1 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

This race was interesting as the incumbent, Shoemake, ran and won against Buffington in the last election – who was the Judge prior to Shoemake. Buffington sought to be re-hired, Shoemake held the seat.

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 2 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

Heading for a run-off between Martin and Burnham. This seat was vacated by Joe Dale Walker for Judicial misconduct.

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 1 (The Coast)

Too close to call and are still counting affidavit ballots.

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 3 (The Coast)

Fondren will be a new Chancery Judge and this race was interesting as the outgoing Judge, Chuck Bordis, withdrew from the race. There was gossip of soap opera issues between Bordis and Fondren.  Interestingly, its exactly the type of matters Chancery Judge’s hear. Nothing better than real-life experience for preparation for the job.

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 1 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 2 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Matthew Thompson is a Chancery Court Attorney in Mississippi and will continue to update the Family Law Judicial elections that effect you.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

Chancery Judge Campaign in Full Swing.

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Madison, Yazoo, Leake and Holmes Counties will be getting a new Chancery Judge in the November 4, 2014, election.

A Chancery Judge hears matters involving wills and estates, child support and custody of minor children, divorces and alimony, and lunacy or commitment hearings.  The Judges also handle other matters, such as petitions to incorporate or enlarge a city, the establishment and management of drainage districts, children’s welfare funds, and other projects.

Why should you care?  Because this will be your judge if you find yourself in Court and it’s not due to a criminal case, a car wreck or an unpaid bill.

Who are the Candidates?

Bluntson has practiced law in Mississippi for the past 20 years.  She began her legal career in 1994 as a staff attorney for Mississippi Child Support.  Thereafter, she opened her private law firm where she handled divorces, child support, child custody and wills & estates cases.  A few years after the death of her husband, Barbara Ann was hired by the City of Jackson as the Chief City Prosecutor.  She maintained that position for 10 years.  As city prosecutor, Barbara Ann and her staff prosecuted in excess of 8,000 misdemeanor cases per year.  She also assisted domestic violence victims with Petitions for Protective Orders when they were filed in municipal court.  Barbara Ann currently serves as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Jackson and City Prosecutor for the City of Durant.  She is also a certified Family Law Mediator.

Clark is running for Chancery Judge because he believes the citizens of the 11th Chancery District would benefit from his experience, skills and proven record of serving the public in the district; as an Attorney, Municipal Judge and Youth Court Judge.  He has represented the citizens of the district in Chancery Court handling all types of cases. He touts that he is the only candidate that was born, raised and practiced law in District 11, Sub-district 1.  If elected Judge he promises to work daily to be fair and impartial judge who demonstrates sound judgement and run an efficient court.

Each name above is clickable, directing you to their election site as well as their FaceBook page.  Do your research, pick a candidate and vote!

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody and Family Law Attorney and handles cases in Chancery Courts throughout Mississippi.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

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General Legal, Opinion

Madison Chancery Clerk Race Heating Up

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On June 3 Madison Countians will elect a new Chancery Clerk.

Vote June 3

 

 

 

 

The Chancery Clerk acts as the county auditor, treasurer and assists the Board of Supervisors. The Chancery Clerk’s duties also include Clerk of the Chancery Court and Custodian of Public Land Records.  The Clerk is ultimately responsible for the filing of Court pleadings and land records and it is a big job.  It also includes testifying in Court on occasion and being financially accountable to the County, litigants and the Court.

The scuttlebutt is that someone in the clerk’s office ran a number of background checks on Ronny Lott.  This is newsworthy because candidate Irby Ford is currently employed by Madison County and works in the assessors office.  Ford denied being responsible or knowing about the searches, which was apparently true.  No searches were conducted regarding Ford or Overby.

Three candidates are vying for the position.

David Overby

  • Currently serves as a committee member on the Metropolitan Planning Organization
  • Member of the Government Finance Officers Association
  • Served 12 years as the City Clerk in Ridgeland
  • Served as County Administrator in Madison
  • Recently appointed Finance Manager at the City of Canton
  • Worked in public accounting for 20 years auditing business and governments and providing financial and business management consulting

Ronny Lott

  • Led the fight that reduced property taxes.
  • Driving force behind settlement of wasteful $6 million dollar MDOT lawsuit.
  • Opposed all proposals to increase property taxes.
  • 100% voting record in support of education and law enforcement.
  • Helped create business-friendly environment for creation of new jobs.
  • Opposed unnecessary third landfill.
  • Perfect attendance at meetings of the Board of Supervisors regularly scheduled.

Irby Ford

  • 28 years as a Deputy Tax Assessor and Department Head over the Mapping Division with the Madison County Tax Assessors Office.
  • State Certified Appraiser (Mississippi State University).
  • Missisippi Assessment Evaluator, MAE (State Bureau of revenue).
  • Associate of Applied Science Degree (Holmes Community College).
  • Certificate of Educational Recognition. (International Association of Assessing Officers).
  • Cadastral Mapping Specialist (IAAO) Note: One of only two in the state of Missisippi to receive this international professional designation.

Click on the candidates names for their websites and bios.  Be informed, educate yourself and vote.  This vote matters.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Modifications, Opinion, Property Division, Visitation

Why is my Court Hearing Somewhere Else?

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Mississippi has 20 Chancery Court Districts and 49 Chancery Court Judges, but Mississippi has 82 counties.  Most Chancery Court Districts, therefore, include more than one county.

You file your case in your home county’s Chancery Clerk’s Office, most often.  This is the appropriate “jurisdiction.” One District has a first and second judicial district, being Hinds County.  Most districts, however, include more than one County.  In that instance you still file in your home county, but you may well see the judge, have Court, and otherwise be in another County for your case.

I have been asked and have heard litigants try to use this as an advantage.  Perhaps not having to testify at home, making witnesses have to drive, or having Court somewhere else will lead to a better result. It doesn’t.  It is the same Judge, the same facts and in most instance just 30-45 minutes this way or that way from the other Courthouse.

One thing to remember when having litigation in multiple counties is to be mindful where the Court file is.  It is the lawyer’s job to see that the Court file makes it to Court.  I have seen time and again someone forget the Court file and the Judge be unwilling to take action until it can be retrieved or recessed until another day when it can be obtained.

I was involved in a 10th District case, commonly thought of as Hattiesburg, but had actual Court hearings in 5 different counties throughout the pendency of the case.  In no particular order, we had a trial and motion hearings in 1) Forrest County, Hattiesburg; 2) Lamar County, Purvis; 3) Marion County; Columbia, a temporary hearing in 4) Pearl River County, Poplarville, and a motion for New Trial in 5) Perry County, New Augusta.  Each hearing had the same judge, attorneys and parties, but were in so many different places because that is where the Judge was the days we had court appearances.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney, with a statewide practice, and recommends you hire a lawyer either in the area of where your case is or a lawyer who practices in that area.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Child Custody, Child Support, General Legal, Modifications, Visitation

Churchill Wisdom; On Perseverance

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Never, never, never give up.  

– Sir Winston Churchill

I recently concluded a 3 year, 4-day, custody trial.  The matter began 3 years ago on an emergency basis, removing custody of a child from one parent, due to their conduct, and placing custody with the other parent.

The matter took three years because it was in two different Courts; Youth Court and Chancery Court.  There was a lawyer change about a year into the matter and it took some time to have the matter transferred from one Court to the other.

There were Orders regarding pyschological evaluations and parenting classes and requirements of completing those processes.  Also, the delay benefited the party that had emergency custody, so having it concluded sooner was not a huge priority.  It also took a long time to get to the trial setting. It was set months in advance but due to the Court docket being backed up it was not quick.  Also, when the matter was not finished on the day set for trial, you do not just go back the next day, you get another setting months down the road.

This, however, is by no means a standard time frame, but it does happen. During the three years both parties wavered on pursuing the matter to the end, on compromising and just giving up.  But, perseverance prevailed.  Justice prevailed and the Court ultimately ruled on Custody and what was in the best interest of the child.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and can attest that perseverance can win the race.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@wmtlawfirm.com.