Supreme Court of Mississippi Decisions
The Supreme Court of Mississippi reviews decisions in the Mississippi Court of Appeals, as well as decisions in the chancery, circuit, and county courts. It holds exclusive jurisdiction over cases of first impression and cases that implicate issues of broad public interest. In addition, the Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over cases in certain areas, including capital punishment, challenges to an election or the constitutionality of a law, questions certified by a federal court to the Supreme Court, and disciplinary proceedings in the legal profession.
The qualifications for serving on the Supreme Court of Mississippi are defined by Article VI, Section 150 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. A candidate must be at least 30 years old, a practicing attorney, and a citizen of Mississippi for at least five years. The nine justices on the Court are elected from three judicial districts in non-partisan elections. Each justice serves an eight-year term. Mississippi ensures that elections are staggered so that not all nine seats are open at the same time. Among the nine justices, there is one Chief Justice, two Presiding Justices, and six Associate Justices. Seniority on the Court determines how the justices are distributed among those roles.
When a seat becomes open, the Governor of Mississippi can appoint a new justice to fill the seat. However, their tenure lasts only for the rest of the current term. The interim justice must run for the seat in the next election if they want to remain on the Court. A justice may be removed if two-thirds of the Mississippi House of Representatives votes to impeach them, and two-thirds of the Mississippi Senate votes to remove them. The Governor also may remove a justice upon the joint address of two-thirds of both houses of the legislature. Finally, a justice may be removed after the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance recommends their removal. This involves a two-thirds vote by secret ballot of a tribunal of seven circuit or chancery judges, chosen by lot.
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Recent Decisions From the Supreme Court of Mississippi
Date: May 2, 2024
Citation: 2021-CT-01384-SCT
Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by Jamien Washington is denied. To Deny: Randolph, C.J., King, P.J., Coleman, Maxwell, Beam, Chamberlin, Ishee and Griffis, JJ. To Grant: Kitchens, P.J. Order entered 4/23/24.
Date: May 2, 2024
Citation: 2022-SA-01129-SCT
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around two Senate Bills—2780 and 3064—passed by the Mississippi Legislature in 2022. Senate Bill 2780 established the Independent Schools Infrastructure Grant Program (ISIGP), which allowed independent…
Date: May 2, 2024
Citation: 2023-BD-01391-SCT
Tanza C. Farr is granted leave under Rule 11(b) of the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar to resign in good standing from the practice of law in the state of Mississippi. Tanza C. Farr's resignation shall be effective upon entry of this order. Upon resignation, Tanza C. Farr shall not practice law in the state of Mississippi and shall not be entitled to any privileges and benefits accorded to active members of the Bar in good standing. Kitchens, P.J., for the Court. All Justices Agree. Order entered 4/24/24.</ul><br><hr>
Date: May 2, 2024
Citation: 2023-CP-00451-SCT
The motion for rehearing filed by the appellant is denied.
Date: May 2, 2024
Citation: 2023-IA-00813-SCT
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around a custody dispute involving a minor child, J.B., born in March 2021. J.B. was placed in the custody of foster parents, John and Amy Caldwell, by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection…
Date: April 25, 2024
Citation: 2022-CT-00712-SCT
Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by Wendi Dow Litton is denied. All Justices Agree. Order entered 4/22/24.
Date: April 25, 2024
Citation: 2022-CT-01010-SCT
Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by Chelsea and Jason Bumpous is denied. To Deny: Randolph, C.J., Kitchens and King, P.JJ., Maxwell, Beam, Chamberlin, Ishee and Griffis, JJ. To Grant: Coleman, J. Order entered 4/19/24.
Date: April 25, 2024
Citation: 2023-BD-01321-SCT
Clive A. Stafford Smith is granted leave under Rule 11(b) of the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar to resign in good standing from the practice of law in Mississippi. Clive A. Stafford Smith's resignation is effective upon the entry of this order. Upon resignation, Clive A. Stafford Smith shall not practice law in the State of Mississippi and shall not be entitled to any privileges and benefits accorded to active members of the Mississippi Bar in good standing. Randolph, C.J., for the Court. All Justices Agree. Order entered 4/22/24.</ul><br><hr>
Date: April 25, 2024
Citation: 2023-CA-00007-SCT
The motion for rehearing filed by the appellants is denied.
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2021-CA-01313-SCT
The motion for rehearing filed by the appellant is denied.
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2021-CT-01182-SCT
Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by Nathaniel Roberson is denied. To Deny: Randolph, C.J., Coleman, Maxwell, Beam, Chamberlin and Griffis, JJ. To Grant: Kitchens and King, P.JJ., and Ishee, J. Order entered 4/9/24.
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2021-CT-01288-SCT
Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by Michael P. is denied. To Deny: All Justices. Order entered 4/10/24.
Date: April 18, 2024
Citation: 2021-CT-01345-SCT
Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed by Joe Clyde Tubwell, pro se, is granted. To Grant: Kitchens and King, P.JJ., Coleman, Maxwell, Beam, Chamberlin, Ishee and Griffis, JJ. Not Participating: Randolph, C.J. Order entered 4/12/24.
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
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