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Circuit Judge Brad A. Touchstone of Purvis was elected on Aug. 31 as chairman of the Mississippi Commission on a Uniform Youth Court System and Procedures.
Lee County Court Judge Staci Bevill of Tupelo was elected vice-chair and Madison County Court Judge Staci O’Neal of Madison was elected secretary during the Commission’s organizational meeting on Aug. 31 at the Capitol.
The Commission at the Aug. 31 meeting began discussions of whether to make changes to the existing youth court system, potential costs, and what is in the best interests of the children who come under the supervision of the Youth Courts. The webcast of the meeting is at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXF9Imh9nhI.
The Commission is expected to submit a report to the Legislature in October 2024. Next scheduled meetings of the Commission are Sept. 22 and Oct. 19.
The 2023 Legislature reconstituted the Commission in House Bill 1149. The legislation called for appointment of a 21-member study commission.
Legislators serving on the Commission are Rep. Jansen Owen of Poplarville, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and Sen. Jeremy England of Vancleave, appointed by the Lt. Governor. Department of Child Protective Services Commissioner Andrea Sanders and Department of Human Services Executive Director Robert Anderson serve on the Commission.
Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph appointed Circuit Judge Brad A. Touchstone of Purvis and Chancellor Gerald M. Martin of Raleigh to the Commission.
Tishomingo County Youth Court Referee Joey M. Cobb of Iuka serves on the Commission as acting chairman of the Council of Youth Court Judges. Appointees to the Commission selected by the chairman of the Council of Youth Court Judges are:
∙ Lee County Court Judge Staci Bevill of Tupelo;
∙ Madison County Court Judge Staci O’Neal of Madison;
∙ Walthall County Youth Court Referee D. Ryan Bruhl of Columbia;
∙ Marion County Youth Court Referee Renee Porter of Columbia.
Gov. Tate Reeves’ appointees to the Commission are:
∙ Department of Child Protection Services Assistant Deputy Commissioner Shonda Kirksey of Ellisville;
∙ Department of Child Protection Services Assistant Deputy Commissioner Abby Young of Mooreville;
∙ Department of Child Protection Services General Counsel Vicki Lowery of Jackson;
∙ Hattiesburg Police Chief Peggy Sealy;
∙ Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson;
∙ attorney Will Crossley, President of Piney Woods School;
∙ former Hinds County Circuit Judge Joseph Sclafani of Clinton;
∙ Warren County Youth Court Prosecutor J. Lane Campbell of Vicksburg;
∙ Jackson County Youth Court Prosecutor Michael Breland of Pascagoula.
Gov. Reeves appointed Judge Touchstone to a vacancy on the 15th Circuit Court bench. His term began Jan. 1. The 15th Circuit includes Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion and Pearl River counties. Judge Touchstone previously served for four years as Lamar County Court and Youth Court Judge. He was a state Representative for House District 101 from January 2016 through December 2018. He served as County Attorney for Lamar County 2010-2015. He is a graduate of Pearl River Community College, earned bachelor and masters of business administration degrees from Millsaps College, and earned a law degree from Mississippi College School of Law.
Judge Martin is chair of the Conference of Chancery Court Judges. He previously served as vice-chair of the Conference. He has served on the 13th Chancery Court bench since January 2015. The district includes Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties. He previously served as a court appointed mediator in Circuit and Chancery courts, and as a special master in Circuit Courts. He served as attorney for the Smith County Economic Development District, was attorney for the towns of Raleigh and Taylorsville, and was municipal prosecutor for Raleigh. Judge Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Mississippi State University and a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.
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