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Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Weill, a former state court prosecutor and Jackson city councilman, announced his candidacy today for the Mississippi Court of Appeals.
“I have been honored to serve the people of Mississippi for more than 11 years as a circuit court judge presiding over the most active civil and criminal docket in the state, and as a city councilman,” Judge Weill said. “As a judge my focus has always been on public safety. By vigorously moving the criminal trial dockets forward hundreds of violent criminals can no longer terrorize our streets and homes.”
The ten judges currently on the court of appeals are from diverse judicial backgrounds, but unlike Judge Weill, none have experience as circuit court judges. These appellate judges routinely rule on appeals from circuit courts, including the overwhelming majority of felony criminal appeals.
“I firmly believe that adding a circuit court judge who has presided in many complex jury trials will enhance the ability of the appellate court to properly decide appeals from trial courts,” said Judge Weill. Weill noted that “my time spent in the trenches will bring a much needed practical viewpoint to the process.”
Judge Weill has presided in more than 130 jury trials to verdict during his eight years on the bench, and over 100 of those were criminal trials involving major felonies. Judge Weill also brings a wealth of civil litigation experience to the appellate bench, as a trial judge, a former litigator and a Harvard trained mediator. He served as judge in the largest and most complex state court civil litigation to date and authored more than 60 opinions in that case alone.
As a former assistant district attorney for District Attorney Dunn Lampton in Pike, Lincoln, Walthall and Copiah Counties, Judge Weill prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases throughout southwestern Mississippi.
Judge Weill is active in Covenant Presbyterian Church where he serves as an elder, Sunday school teacher and active participant in foreign missions. Judge Weill is a stalwart in the local community, lending regular support and aid to the Stewpot ministries, Meals on Wheels, and as an adult leader in Boy Scout Troop 302. He and his wife Tracy have been married for 30 years and have three Eagle Scout sons, Alan (26), Joshua (23) and Elliot (20).
The election will be held November 6, 2018.
Current position: Judge Weill is in his 8th year as a twice-elected Hinds County circuit court judge, presiding over the most active civil and criminal docket in Mississippi.
Position sought: Judge Weill seeks election to the Mississippi Court of Appeals-4th district as the only judge on the Court of Appeals with crucial experience as a Circuit Court trial judge.
The Court of Appeals is a 10-judge panel of Judges which hears appeals from lower courts, including Chancery and Circuit Courts. The court is made up of two judges from each of the five judicial districts in the state. The 4th district includes 15 counties: Adams, Amite, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, Hinds, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Simpson, Walthall and Wilkerson.
Judge Weill:
- Currently serves as twice-elected Hinds County Circuit Court Judge
- Has Presided in over 130 jury trials, including 24 murder trials, and 59 assault/robbery trials
- Seeks to bring practical experience to the appellate bench as the only former circuit judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals
- Formerly served as state court prosecutor in Lincoln, Pike, Copiah and Walthall Counties, serving with District Attorney Dunn Lampton
- Formerly served as twice-elected Republican City Councilman in Jackson
- Practiced law for 28 years prior to the bench and tried more than 70 jury trials
- Taught Alternative Dispute Resolution as an Adjunct Professor at Mississippi College School of Law
