Central District

SUPREME COURT

Central District

(District 1, Place 1)

James W. Kitchens, Crystal Springs

Age: 73.

Family: Married for 48 years to Mary T. Kitchens, five children, 12 grandchildren, and mother, Mrs. Edith Kitchens, age 102, all of whom live in Crystal Springs.

Qualifications: University of Southern Mississippi; University of Mississippi School of Law; National College of District Attorneys; National Criminal Defense College; Northwestern University School of Law Prosecutors’ Course; NYU Law School Appellate Judges’ training. Trainer for Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Taught Copiah-Lincoln Community College peace officer classes. Lectured on legal and judicial ethics and professionalism. Trainer for Mississippi Judicial College. Taught numerous classes for University of Mississippi and Mississippi College schools of law. Private law practice, 32 years; District attorney, nine years; Mississippi Supreme Court justice, almost eight years. Licensed in Mississippi and District of Columbia.

Contact Information: 601-487-1616; ; Facebook: Kitchens for Justice 2016; Twitter: @kitchforjustice; P. O. Box 768, Crystal Springs, MS 39059

State your priorities if elected to this office.

Consistent with the oath of office I took at the beginning of this, my first term, during my second term I will be committed to: “…administering justice without respect to persons; doing equal right to the poor and to the rich; and faithfully and impartially discharging and performing all the duties incumbent upon me as a justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, according to the best of my ability and understanding, agreeably to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Mississippi.”

Highlight your experience and qualifications for the office you are seeking.

My experience as a prosecutor, as an attorney representing families and individuals, and now as a Supreme Court justice, have given me a broad spectrum of legal experience. This enables me to consider cases from the perspective of having been on both sides of most legal arguments.

In light of a backlog of cases at all court levels, how would you decrease the caseload in your court? What is the remedy for people being jailed for long periods of time without an indictment at taxpayers’ expense and to the detriment of families?

There is no backlog of cases on the court on which I serve, the Mississippi Supreme Court. All courts should enforce constitutional speedy trial guarantees. Unreasonably high bail should not be required. Felony charges should be presented promptly to grand juries and indictments should be tried without unnecessary delay.

How would you handle a situation where counsel acted in an unethical manner?

Depending on the nature and severity of the misconduct, I would: caution and/or admonish the attorney; invoke the court’s power of contempt; and/or report unethical misconduct of the offending attorney to Complaint Counsel of the Mississippi Bar. Yes, I believe judges should report bad behavior as required by the Bar’s Rules of Discipline.

Kenny Griffis. Ridgeland.

Age: 55

Family: Wife, Mary Helen (McCarty) Griffis; sons, Sean, T.K., Edwin, Robert and Parker

Qualifications: For 13 years, I've served on the Court of Appeals. I am presently a presiding judge. I've taught at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi College law schools. In private practice, I represented thousands of individuals of all walks of life to help solve their problems and volunteered my time to those who could not pay. I also worked as a certified public accountant. I have been a Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout leader and coach of more than 80 youth sports teams. I'm committed to the Constitution, my faith, my family and my community. My mission is provide justice for all.

Contact: Facebook, com/griffis2016; Twitter, com/griffis2016; Instagram, com/griffis2016;

State your priorities if elected to this office.

I’ll decide cases based on the Constitution and the law as it is, not how I may wish it were. I’ll fight activist, liberal judges who want to change the law to meet their desires or create new ways to set dangerous criminals free. I’ll seek consistency in the rule of law which is necessary for job creation. I’ll work to make our court rules and procedures clear, understandable and effective. I’ll seek judicial transparency and accountability. I’ll encourage reforms in judicial campaigns. Every day, I’ll work to ensure there is justice for all in Mississippi courts.

Highlight your experience and qualifications for the office you are seeking.

I serve on the Court of Appeals, which has been described as the “work horse” court because of our volume of cases handled. I’ve decided 8,000 cases and written about 900 majority opinions: more than half were criminal cases. I’ll take that dedicated work ethic to the Supreme Court.

In light of a backlog of cases at all court levels, how would decrease the caseload in your court? What is the remedy for people being jailed for long periods of time without an indictment at taxpayers’ expense to the detriment of families?

The Court of Appeals does not have a backlog and could handle more cases. The Supreme Court should instruct the Administrative Office of Courts to monitor pre-trial detention over six months. They can coordinate with circuit judges and prosecutors to process all cases promptly and encourage expeditious disposition of motions.

How would you handle a situation where counsel acted in an unethical manner?

The same way I have for 14 years: if there is unethical conduct I would ask the court to hold a hearing and decide whether to sanction the attorney. Then, if necessary, I would report the attorney to the Mississippi Bar for unethical conduct, or appropriate officials for illegal conduct.

Northern District

(District 3, Place 1)

John Brady, Columbus

Age: 49

Family: Wife Jennifer Howell Brady, originally from Southaven; daughters, Rachel (16) and Hannah (14).

Qualifications: I have defended lawsuits against business owners and their employees, governmental entities, law enforcement, hospitals and doctors for over 22 years. I have represented numerous clients before appellate courts, including the Mississippi Supreme Court, Mississippi Court of Appeals and the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. I am a shareholder in the law firm of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams and have served as a Mississippi Bar commissioner and as president of the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association. I have been endorsed by the largest business and industry association in Mississippi (BIPEC) and Gov. Haley Barbour.

Contact: 662-549-1666 or by mail at P.O. Box 495, Columbus MS 39703. Website - email - ; and on Facebook at John Brady for Mississippi Supreme Court.

State your priorities if elected to this office.

I want to see the people of Mississippi and the state as a whole thrive and prosper. The Mississippi Supreme Court’s role in this regard is to fairly apply the law to the facts and interpret the law, without attempting to legislate from the bench. The justices should not be activists but should apply the law as written. I will ensure all who come before the court are treated equally and with the utmost dignity and respect. Members of the court must remember that their decisions affect many people and must render fair decisions based on the law.

Highlight your experience and qualifications for the office you are seeking.

I have litigated cases for over two decades in all courts in Mississippi. My experience gives me the background needed to effectively serve on the court, ensuring that Mississippi does not return to the days of jackpot justice.

I would work to set realistic deadlines for each step of the appellate process and would endeavor to meet each deadline. As a practicing attorney, I know the frustrations of litigants who have to wait too long for their cases to be resolved. I would work with the members of the court to streamline the process wherever possible.

How would you handle a situation where counsel acted in an unethical manner?

All who come before the courts must have confidence that they are being represented properly and that the litigation process is not compromised in any way. I believe that any attorney, whether as a judge or otherwise, who is aware of professional misconduct must report the offender to the Mississippi Bar.

Bobby Chamberlin, Hernando

Age: 51

Family: wife, Kim White Chamberlin; son, Will Chamberlin

Qualifications: I have over 19 years of judicial experience, including serving for the last 12 years as a Circuit Court judge for the 17th Circuit Court District, representing DeSoto, Panola, Tallahatchie, Tate and Yalobusha counties. Prior to my tenure on the bench, I served for almost five years in the Mississippi Senate before being appointed circuit judge in November 2004. As an attorney, I had a varied practice which included service as a municipal prosecutor, Municipal Court judge, special master in Chancery Court, as well as counsel for various governmental entities including the local board of supervisors.

Contact: 662-404-0565; Facebook, Chamberlin for Supreme Court; email, ; website, ChamberlinforSupremeCourt.com; Twitter, ChamberlinforJustice@chamberlincourt

State your priorities if elected to this office.

As a Supreme Court justice, I will work to ensure our judges adhere to certain principles. First and foremost, judges should apply the law, not make the law. We need to make sure judges do not legislate from the bench. As a court, we must follow and properly apply the constitution as it is written. Finally, I will be dedicated to the rule of law, fairly and justly applying that law to the facts of each and every case that comes before the court.

Highlight your experience and qualifications for the office you are seeking.

My years of judicial service and my diverse background in the law uniquely qualify me for this position. As Circuit Court judge, I have had to make the day to day decisions that will be reviewed and have had to address the issues that will be faced by the court.

I have a proven track record in Circuit Court of removing a previous backlog and keeping that docket current. I would apply those same principles to any backlog at the Supreme Court. The remedy for any backlog and its consequences are to make sure our current laws are followed.

How would you handle a situation where counsel acted in an unethical manner?

I would immediately halt the proceeding, see that the attorney is properly admonished, and put in place the appropriate safeguards to assure the proceeding will not be tainted by his/her conduct. Judges should absolutely report unethical conduct to the Mississippi Bar and are required by rule to do so.

Steve Crampton, Tupelo

Age: 59

Family: Shelley, wife of 31 years; children, Joseph, Katie, Jamie, Courtney, Kelley, Jonathan and Jeremiah

Qualifications: I have over 30 years’ experience in almost all areas of litigation, including business law, real estate, oil and gas, civil rights, corporate law, civil and criminal law. I have both trial and appellate experience, and extensive experience in constitutional law. Licensed in four states, I hold a law from UNM Law School and B.A. from St. John’s College. I have been general counsel for the AFA and for Liberty Counsel, and chief counsel for the AFA Center for Law & Policy. I have also provided expert commentary on CNN, NBC, CBS, Fox News, the O’Reilly Factor, NPR and others.

Contact: ; phone, 662-401-8668.

State your priorities if elected to this office.

Our God-given rights are under assault from all sides, often by our own government. Our liberties and values that unite us as Mississippians and as Americans are at risk, and need a seasoned constitutionalist on our court. I have devoted most of my career to the study and protection of our constitutional rights. I have argued in our Mississippi Supreme Court, as well as state and federal courts all across the country. I have stood for life, liberty and family, often against the government. These are the same values that I will bring to the court if elected.

Highlight your experience and qualifications for the office you are seeking.

I have litigated high profile cases in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. I have fought against Obamacare and partial birth abortion, and have defended First Amendment freedoms. I have broader experience, and more appellate experience, and I have extensive experience in constitutional law.

I would work diligently to promptly decide the cases before me and to ensure justice for all. I would educate the bar and the public concerning rights to an attorney and to a speedy trial. As President Kennedy said, an educated citizenry is necessary to sustain a free society.

How would you handle a situation where counsel acted in an unethical manner?

The rules of ethics require a report of attorney misconduct that “raises a substantial question as to the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer.” (Emphasis added.) After carefully investigating to determine whether a violation has occurred, I would, of course, follow the rules and report where appropriate.

James (Jim) T. Kitchens Jr., Caledonia

Age: 53

Family: Wife, Jo Ann Dennis Kitchens for 29 years.

Qualificaitons: Graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor of business administration degree in economics. Received law degree from Mississippi College School of Law. I worked for McDavid, Noblin & West upon graduation from law school. Worked for Chief Justice Dan M. Lee as a law clerk at the Supreme Court from June 1, 1994, until June 30, 1996. Thereafter, spent six and one half years working as an assistant district attorney. In November 2002, I was elected as a circuit judge for the 16th Circuit Court District and I took office on Jan. 2, 2003, and have served in that capacity since that time.

Contact Information: email, ; website, Facebook,

State your priorities if elected to this office.

My first priority is to provide a fair consideration to all who have cases before the court. It is my hope that all litigants will believe their case was fairly considered no matter what the outcome. Therefore, it will also be my priority to make sure that my office and law clerks fully review the records before the court and get the facts right and apply the appropriate law to the facts before the court. No litigant should ever feel the Supreme Court reviewed his or her case and found facts that did not exist at trial.

Highlight your experience and qualifications for the office you are seeking.

I am the only candidate running who has worked at the Mississippi Supreme Court and written opinions for the court. I’ve tried over 50 jury trials as an assistant district attorney, presided over 147 jury trials as a circuit judge and have successfully handled a busy docket for 14 years.

The backlog at the Supreme Court is not as bad as it was in the 1990’s before the Court of Appeals was created. Backlogs are problematic in some trial courts. The Supreme Court can help in that regard by appointing senior status judges to help in districts that have large backlogs.

The Supreme Court is working to provide electronic filing systems in all state trial courts. This system will help district attorneys, county attorneys and trial courts discover when someone has been detained too long without having the opportunity to be heard by a trial judge on his or her detention.

How would you handle a situation where counsel acted in an unethical manner?

As a circuit judge, I have had to report unethical behavior by members of the Bar. Fortunately, it has not happened very often. I will follow the rules of Judicial Conduct and the rules set forth in our Mississippi Rules of Professional Responsibility.

Southern District

(District 2, Place 2)

Dawn Beam, Sumrall

Age: 52

Family:Married to Dr. Stephen Beam; five children.

Qualifications: Justice Dawn Beam was appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Bryant in December 2015. For the past 30 years, with each position she has held, she has helped people, in particular our children. She is passionate about the law and fulfilling her duty to make sure every citizen gets a fair trial. Moreover, she has embraced her position on the Supreme Court as a way to improve the lives of families and children. She started practicing law in 1989, first with the state and then private practice. In 2007 she was elected Lamar County prosecutor. Beginning 2010, she was elected chancery judge.