Mississippi Supreme Court FAQ
By Staff
October 17, 2004
Here are a few of the more common questions-and-answers about the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Question: What does the Mississippi Supreme Court do?
Answer: The Mississippi Supreme Court is composed of nine justices, three of whom are elected from three separate districts across the state.
Supreme Court justices hear appeals from cases that have been decided in circuit and chancery courts across the state. The high court also may hear direct appeals from county courts.
Cases reserved for the Mississippi Supreme Court are final rulings in death penalty cases as well as appeals involving utility rates, annexations, bond issues and election contests.
The court also can hear cases involving attorney discipline and judicial performance; certified questions from a federal court; fundamental and urgent issues of broad public importance that require prompt determination; substantial constitutional questions concerning the validity of a statute,
ordinance, court rule, or an administrative rule or regulation; and issues in which there is an
inconsistency or conflict in court decisions.
Question: When and where does the court hear or decide cases?
Answer: The Mississippi Supreme Court is required by law to hold two terms of court each year in Jackson beginning on the first Monday of March and the second Monday of September.
Sometimes they will hold a public session during which attorneys will present arguments on opposing sides of a case before the high court.
Question: Who can serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court?
Answer: A Supreme Court Justice must be a qualified elector of the Mississippi Supreme Court District in which they seek election. He or she must be at least 30 years old, a practicing attorney and a citizen of the state for at least five years. Supreme Court justices serve an
eight-year term.
Question: How much money do Supreme Court Justices earn?
Answer: The chief justice of the Supreme Court earns $115,390 a year, presiding justices earn $113,190 a year and associate justices earn $112,530 a year.
