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In Mississippi, a Win for Jackson Residents Battling State Control

A court says the State Legislature cannot add outside judges to Jackson’s courts, part of a larger battle over efforts to create state-run police and courts in the capitol.

The New York Times

Plaintiffs Celebrate Victory In Challenge To H.B. 1020

“As a citizen of Jackson who has traced my family’s documented presence in Mississippi back to 1855, I am grateful for the clarity of the state constitution regarding the election of circuit court judges, and I am grateful for the Justices affirming that constitutional requirement.”

Mississippi Supreme Court issues ruling in House Bill 1020 challenge

"The Constitution stood strong. We are really appreciative of what the supreme court did, and our plaintiffs are, you know, local folks who care deeply about their right to vote feel vindicated," MJC's Cliff Johnson.

WAPT

‘A good day for us’: Justices hand down mixed ruling in H.B. 1020 challenge

"If they get a ruling that they don’t agree with, they’re not stuck with it. That's good news for us," MJC's Cliff Johnson said.

WLBT 3

Mississippi indigent defense system is broken. Here’s how public defenders want to fix it.

“There's a lot of work to be done if we're really committed to a fair fight in Mississippi, and I think that's all anybody's asking for,” MJC's Cliff Johnson said.

Mississippi Public Broadcast

REPORT: Mississippi Public Defender Structure Underfunded, Causes Those Who Can’t Afford Attorney to Languish in Jail

“You don’t have a lawyer. You don’t have money to get out on bail. You don’t have anybody fighting for you," MJC's Cliff Johnson said.

The Davis Vanguard

Mississippi’s public defender system in crisis as some wait years for court-appointed lawyer

Legal experts say the Mississippi public defender system is underfunded and fails to provide counsel to people who cannot afford their own. This has left people waiting behind bars for legal representation.

NBC News

Inability to pay a $100,000 bail kept a Mississippi man in jail for three years

“If district attorneys aren’t vigilant moving cases to trial and circuit judges don’t take seriously the presumption of innocence, the system doesn’t work and people wind up serving lengthy sentences without ever being found guilty by a jury,” MJC's Cliff Johnson said.

Mississippi Today

Justices Skeptical At H.B. 1020 Hearing Over Unelected Judges In Jackson

H.B. 1020 is a “radical legislation that unconstitutionally packs the Hinds County court," MJC's Cliff Johnson said.

Mississippi Free Press

Will state’s justices sign off on challenge to separate Jackson court district?

A far reaching implication for siding with the state would be taking power away from Hinds County voters and giving it to the Legislature, MJC's Cliff Johnson said, and he wondered what precedent would be set for its ability to approve appointed judges in other circumstances.

Mississippi Today