July 28, 2015: Jackson Free Press: David Watkins, JRA Spar Over Farish Settlement Terms
Last week, Hinds County Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas issued a ruling that nullifies liens he placed on buildings in the historic district.
Last week, Hinds County Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas issued a ruling that nullifies liens he placed on buildings in the historic district.
June 16, 2015: Clarion Ledger: Judge halts MDE's hearing on Clarksdale cheating claims
Chancellor J. Dewayne Thomas issued a temporary restraining order, prohibiting the Mississippi Department of Education from conducting its hearing on Frances Smith-Kemp until the court determines if MDE followed proper procedures.
Chancellor J. Dewayne Thomas issued a temporary restraining order, prohibiting the Mississippi Department of Education from conducting its hearing on Frances Smith-Kemp until the court determines if MDE followed proper procedures.
Oct 29, 2014: Jackson Free Press: Here Come the Judicial Races
Dewayne Thomas: Chancery Court 5th District Judge Dewayne Thomas is running for reelection for the first seat of the 5th district uncontested. Thomas has served in the Chancery Court since 2006 and was reelected in 2010.
Dewayne Thomas: Chancery Court 5th District Judge Dewayne Thomas is running for reelection for the first seat of the 5th district uncontested. Thomas has served in the Chancery Court since 2006 and was reelected in 2010.
Dewayne Thomas
• Graduated from Ole Miss, in 1977.
• Graduated from Mississippi College School of Law in 1980.
• Served in state senate for nine years.
Dewayne Thomas, 52, said his location in Byram should have nothing to do with how well a judge can do his job for residents in Jackson. "The chancery court judge doesn't have a constituency. If you were a member of the House or Senate, yeah, you'd have a constituency to answer to, but in this situation you don't. You have no obligation to that litigant other than to be fair and honest in your deliberation," Thomas says.
Thomas, a Mississippi College School of Law graduate, says his 26 years of legal experience qualifies him to handle chancery cases. "I've paid my dues in service, almost all my adult life. I've had a variety of experiences that have prepared me for this," Thomas says. "Chancery is a people's court, and I've always considered myself a people's lawyer. Chancery is always the heartbreak court. You have to deal with the pain of a lost loved one, or divorce or the joy of adoption. I've done a lot of these cases. I could take the bench tomorrow and preside over these cases with confidence."
Thomas says the right mentality is required for chancery court, and he thinks he has lived the work long enough to know how to be a fair, good judge. "You need someone with the judicial temperament to hear these types of cases and foster a positive resolution in these matters and a good knowledge of the law that governs these matters," Thomas says.
• Graduated from Ole Miss, in 1977.
• Graduated from Mississippi College School of Law in 1980.
• Served in state senate for nine years.
Dewayne Thomas, 52, said his location in Byram should have nothing to do with how well a judge can do his job for residents in Jackson. "The chancery court judge doesn't have a constituency. If you were a member of the House or Senate, yeah, you'd have a constituency to answer to, but in this situation you don't. You have no obligation to that litigant other than to be fair and honest in your deliberation," Thomas says.
Thomas, a Mississippi College School of Law graduate, says his 26 years of legal experience qualifies him to handle chancery cases. "I've paid my dues in service, almost all my adult life. I've had a variety of experiences that have prepared me for this," Thomas says. "Chancery is a people's court, and I've always considered myself a people's lawyer. Chancery is always the heartbreak court. You have to deal with the pain of a lost loved one, or divorce or the joy of adoption. I've done a lot of these cases. I could take the bench tomorrow and preside over these cases with confidence."
Thomas says the right mentality is required for chancery court, and he thinks he has lived the work long enough to know how to be a fair, good judge. "You need someone with the judicial temperament to hear these types of cases and foster a positive resolution in these matters and a good knowledge of the law that governs these matters," Thomas says.