Chancery Judges are some of the most powerful judges in the state.

A Mississippi Chancellor (Chancery Court judge) holds broad judicial power over cases of equity; including domestic relations (divorce, custody, child support), wills, estates, land disputes, and cases involving minors or persons of unsound mind.

They have authority to grant injunctions, punish for contempt (fines, sanctions and/or jail), and exercise these powers daily.

An ideal judge combines high intellectual capacity with exceptional temperament, impartiality, and integrity.

Key qualities include patience, legal expertise, active listening, courage, and the ability to act firmly yet with compassion, ensuring fair proceedings and timely, reasoned decisions that uphold public trust.

Fairness in justly applying the law to the facts is an oath Judge swear to do.

Showing respect to the litigants, the attorneys, and the witnesses is a must.

Being honest, patient and acting with integrity are prerequisites for any Judge.

In Mississippi, in most cases judges are elected. Most Mississippians never encounter a judge and don’t give much thought into who is judge.

I assure you who your judge is is critically important and impacts your rights to your child and your fights to your freedom.

There are judicial elections throughout the state this November.

Get involved. Educate yourself. Ask attorneys and persons that know the judge or have experience with them.

Want an honest assessment? (that’s only mildly biased) Ask me.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and practices statewide and right now who your judge is can matter more than the facts or the law…and that’s potentially dangerous.