Mississippi Advisory Opinions March 14, 2003: AGO 2003-0120 (March 14, 2003)

Advisory Opinion Text

William H. Jones, Esquire

Chairman

Forrest County Democratic Executive Committee

Post Office Box 282

Petal, Mississippi 39465

Re: Qualifications of Justice Court Judge Candidate

Dear Mr. Jones:

Attorney General Mike Moore has received your letter of request and assigned it to me for research and reply. Your letter states:

We have had a gentleman qualify to run for Justice Court Judge, whose application indicates, and he readily admits he does not live within the Justice Court District for which he seeks election.

I refer you to AG Opinion No. 97-0503 which appears to be an exact or similar set of facts. The Forrest County Democratic Executive Committee requests an opinion as to whether or not this candidate can be certified to run for Justice Court Judge when he lives outside the Justice Court Judge District, but in the respective county.

Your prompt and immediate response of course would be very much appreciated in view of the pending certification deadlines.

The opinion referred to in your letter was addressed to Honorable Lena Corbin, dated June 6, 1997 (copy attached). It remains the opinion of this office that candidates for justice court judge must be lawful residents and qualified electors of the justice court district they seek to serve.

Sincerely,

Mike Moore Attorney General

Phil Carter Special Assistant Attorney General