A judge is coming out of retirement to help handle cases in Jackson and George counties
Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph has appointed a retired judge, Jaye A. Bradley of Lucedale, to assist chancellors in Jackson, George and Greene counties in handling the backlog of cases that have been delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bradley’s return to the bench comes after Judge D. Neil Harris Sr., senior chancellor of the 16th Chancery District, requested the appointment of a special judge.
“Jackson County has been one of the hardest hit with this virus,” Harris wrote to the Supreme Court in a July 27 letter. “Even at this writing, the numbers here keep rising. The COVID-19 Pandemic has required the reduction in the number of cases we hear due to the reduction in the number of people who can come to any one courtroom or the courthouse.”
Harris, along with judges Mark Maples and Tanya Hasbrouck, will choose cases in Jackson, George and Greene counties to be assigned to Bradley.
Bradley served as a chancellor in Jackson, George and Greene counties for more than 18 years, retiring in December 2018. She was a leader of the Conference of Chancery Court Judges, serving terms as chair, vice-chair and secretary treasurer.
Before her appointment to the bench, she served as District Attorney for Jackson, George and Greene counties for two years.
More special judges are expected to be appointed to temporarily assist judges in districts across the state. Five special judges have been appointed in Hinds County recently.
