US judge condemns Mississippi city’s ‘crime cancer’ as he removes state justice from lawsuit
1 year, 6 months ago

US judge condemns Mississippi city’s ‘crime cancer’ as he removes state justice from lawsuit

Associated Press  

— The Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice cannot be sued over a state law that requires him to appoint some judges in the capital city of Jackson, a federal judge wrote Thursday in a ruling that also condemned violence in the city. But, Wingate wrote: “Jackson has a crime cancer.” Wingate cited the principle of judicial immunity, which prevents judges from being sued for most of their official acts, as he removed Chief Justice Mike Randolph as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the national, state and local chapters of the NAACP. Tate Reeves in April, expands the territory of a state-run police department within the capital city of Jackson and creates a new court in part of Jackson with a judge appointed by the chief justice. “On the other end of this ‘killfest’ are the senior citizens hoping to spend their golden years in retired harmony with family and friends, instead of outfitting their homes as fortresses.” A separate lawsuit challenging the new law was filed in state court, with some Hinds County residents arguing that the appointment of judges tramples their rights, because most judges in the state are elected.

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Trial starts in case that seeks more Black justices on Mississippi’s highest court
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Trial starts in case that seeks more Black justices on Mississippi’s highest court

Associated Press  

— Mississippi has the largest percentage of Black residents in the U.S., but only one Black justice serves on the state’s highest court. A federal judge started hearing arguments Monday in a lawsuit that seeks to compel Mississippi to redraw its three Supreme Court districts to increase the chances of Black candidates being elected. “The reason for this persistent underrepresentation …

In federal challenge to Mississippi law, arguments focus on racial discrimination and public safety
1 year ago

In federal challenge to Mississippi law, arguments focus on racial discrimination and public safety

Associated Press  

— A federal judge will consider arguments over racial discrimination, public safety and local democracy as he decides whether to block appointments to a state-run court set to be created on Jan. 1 in part of Mississippi’s majority-Black capital city. The court would consider misdemeanor cases, with a judge appointed by the state Supreme Court’s chief justice and prosecutors appointed …

Battle over creating new court centers on equality in Mississippi’s majority-Black capital city
1 year ago

Battle over creating new court centers on equality in Mississippi’s majority-Black capital city

Associated Press  

— The constitutional right of equal treatment under the law is at the center of a monthslong legal fight over a state-run court in part of Mississippi’s majority-Black capital city of Jackson. “Just like many past efforts to undermine Black political power, singles out the majority-Black City of Jackson for loss of local control of its judicial system and ability …

Mississippi high court blocks appointment of some judges in majority-Black capital city and county
1 year, 3 months ago

Mississippi high court blocks appointment of some judges in majority-Black capital city and county

Associated Press  

— The Mississippi Supreme Court on Thursday struck down part of a state law that would have authorized some circuit court judges to be appointed rather than elected in the capital city of Jackson and the surrounding county, which are both majority-Black. Justices said the Mississippi Constitution allows legislators to create “inferior” courts, and the new Capitol Complex Improvement District …

Mississippi discriminates against Black residents with appointed judges, Justice Department says
1 year, 5 months ago

Mississippi discriminates against Black residents with appointed judges, Justice Department says

Associated Press  

— A new Mississippi law discriminates against residents of the majority-Black capital city of Jackson by requiring the appointment of some judges in a state where most judges are elected, the U.S. Justice Department said in court papers filed Wednesday. Kristen Clarke, the department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, said in a statement that Mississippi lawmakers created “a crude …

Mississippi justices hear arguments over appointed vs. elected judges in majority-Black capital
1 year, 5 months ago

Mississippi justices hear arguments over appointed vs. elected judges in majority-Black capital

Associated Press  

— The Mississippi Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday about a state law that has sparked a monthslong dispute over whether white state officials are stomping on local self-governance in the state’s majority-Black capital city, Jackson. Solicitor General Scott G. Stewart of the Mississippi attorney general’s office said legislators acted properly when they created a new court with one appointed judge …

Federal judge extends temporary halt on appointed judges in Mississippi capital
1 year, 7 months ago

Federal judge extends temporary halt on appointed judges in Mississippi capital

Associated Press  

— A federal judge on Monday extended his order that temporarily stops the Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice from appointing judges in the capital city of Jackson and the county where it’s located, both of which are majority-Black. The law would expand state policing inside the city of Jackson and create a new court inside part of Jackson with a …

Lawsuit: Mississippi violates rights by appointing judges
1 year, 7 months ago

Lawsuit: Mississippi violates rights by appointing judges

Associated Press  

— Mississippi is violating its own constitution with a new law that requires some judges to be appointed rather than elected in the state’s capital city and its surrounding county, civil rights groups said in a lawsuit filed Monday. Tate Reeves signed bills Friday to expand state policing in Jackson, to establish a lower court with an appointed judge and …

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