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President Lynn Walton presided over today’s meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer. Lucy Sanguinetti led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynn led us in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Bill MacLauchlan thanked those who helped with today’s meeting and noted that we have no guests. Lynn informed the members that the planning meeting was held immediately before the membership meeting. She asked members to put the following events on their calendars. A Friend-raiser is scheduled as an evening event on September 7. There will be no lunch meeting that day. Members will be notified of the location. The club will hold its lunch meeting on November 23 at the Hattiesburg Zoo.
Brandon Hodges then introduced today’s guest speaker, Rachel Wilson. Rachel is the Executive Director the for the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance. Rachel is licensed to practice law before all state and federal courts, the Choctaw Trial Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. She has served the Commission as Executive Director since her appointment in July 2020.
She noted that the Commission exists to enforce standards of judicial conduct, investigate and prosecutes allegations of judicial disability and conduct, protect the public from judicial misconduct, and protect the judiciary from unfounded allegations. The Commission was established in 1979 by the vote of Mississippians and the state legislature.
The MCJP has the power to investigate all judges within the state of Mississippi. If a judge wears any robe and is not federal, the MCJP has jurisdiction. The Commission is made up of 7 members and seven alternate members from across the state. All matters that are investigated by the Commission are confidential unless the allegation is criminal in nature. MCJP investigates allegations of misconduct, substance abuse, judicial disability, and conduct. Its intent and purpose are to investigate complaints, research the allegation and protect the public when it is determined that action needs to take place.
The Commission also serves as a resource for judges by teaching continuing judicial education courses and speaking at seminars. Rachel indicated that the Commission provides a great service for Mississippians by protecting the public from judicial misconduct. The Commission also serves to investigate and dismiss false allegations against the state judicial system.
Lynn thanked Rachel for a very informative and interactive presentation. She also encouraged all members to get involved in at least one club project this year.
There being no further business to come before the club, Lynn adjourned the meeting with our motto, “Service Above Self.”