Judge Approves New State-Run Court in Jackson, Mississippi, Despite NAACP Objections

The court, aimed at controlling crime, will have its judge and prosecutors appointed by state officials, bypassing local election processes.

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has allowed Mississippi officials to proceed with the creation of a state-run court in Jackson, Mississippi, despite objections from the NAACP.
The new court, known as the Capitol Complex Improvement District Court, will have a judge appointed by the state Supreme Court chief justice and prosecutors appointed by the state attorney general.
The NAACP had sued on behalf of several Jackson residents, arguing that the new court undermines democracy as its judge and prosecutors will not be chosen by local voters or elected officials.
The court, which will have the same power as municipal courts, is part of an effort to control crime in Jackson, a city that has had over 100 homicides each year for the past three years.
NAACP attorneys intend to appeal the ruling.