Protecting your right to elect judges
May 1, 2008
One of the most important issues in this race will be whether or not we Mississippians continue to elect our judges. Jim Kitchens is a stout supporter of an elected judiciary, a system in which the people of Mississippi, not politicians, choose our judges.
Opponents of electing judges say that federal investigations into a small number of attorneys who are accused of bribing judges points to the need for a change in our system. These same people say to rid the judicial system of politics we must appoint, not elect, our judges.
But Jim Kitchens believes opponents of electing judges in Mississippi are wrong. Here are a few reasons why:
It was Judge Henry L. Lackey — an elected judge — who went to the FBI when he was approached with a bribe.
Federal authorities are currently investigating whether a second judge accepted a bribe. Federal prosecutors claim that judge hoped to get an appointed judgeship.
Jim Kitchens supports electing our judges in Mississippi because he feels the people, not politicians, are best suited to choose who will interpret the laws of our state.
Jim Kitchens opposes appointing judges in Mississippi because it will take away from the people their rights to vote for one branch of our government and give more influence to a very few powerful politicians.
Jim Kitchens knows that a system of appointing judges would shroud the process in secrecy where the public would have no input in the selection of people who help decide their fate in a court of law.
“As a Supreme Court justice, I will always protect the interest of the people when it comes to the selection process of our judges,” Jim Kitchens said. “To take this basic right of electing our leaders away from the people and place it in the hands of powerful politicians is wrong.”
In Mississippi, candidates for judges must meet certain qualifications that include being:
A practicing attorney
At least 26 years of age for circuit and chancery court judges and 30 years of age for appeals and supreme court judges.
A citizen of the state for five years preceding the day of election.
“I trust the people to select their judges from a list of qualified candidates more than I trust a politician to choose our judges from a list of friends or financial backers,” Jim Kitchens said.
Toughness, fairness in the courts
May 1, 2008
Jim Kitchens has seen both sides of the law.
As a district attorney, he prosecuted drug dealers, murderers and all kinds of criminals.
As a defense attorney, he defended people accused of drug-related offenses, murder and other assorted crimes.
No one can call Jim Kitchens soft on crime. His work as a district attorney and his time spent training young prosecutors and law enforcement officers speaks for itself.
Throughout his career, Jim Kitchens has:
Taught criminal law to law enforcement officers at Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Taught classes at the Mississippi Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy
Assisted with in-service training for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
Assisted in teaching classes at Ole Miss and Mississippi College law schools
Served as a mentor at Crystal Springs Middle School
Served as a preceptor to law student interns from Ole Miss Law School
Jim Kitchens also knows that not everyone who appears before a judge accused of a crime is guilty. He knows that in America, every defendant — regardless of their guilt or innocence — is entitled to a fair defense.
Jim Kitchens believes in:
Law enforcement agencies’ having all the tools necessary to rid our communities of crime.
Every defendant’s having competent representation so that justice may be properly decided.
Victims of violent crimes’ having certain rights as their cases are investigated and prosecuted.
Defendants’ being treated fairly and presumed innocent until proven guilty, at which time their punishment should be equal to the crime they committed.
Similar punishments for similar crimes, regardless of a person’s race, financial standing, family ties or political connections.
“I won’t do favors for the guilty,” Jim Kitchens said. “At the same time, I won’t presume someone’s guilt or innocence without first hearing both sides of the case. I’ll treat everyone fairly, and I’ll ensure to the best of my ability that everyone is given a fair shake.”
Ensuring equal access to the courts
May 1, 2008
Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The most sacred of the duties of a government is to do equal and impartial justice to all of its citizens.”
Jim Kitchens could not agree more with one of our most famous founding fathers. This is reflected in his work as a district attorney, as a defense attorney and as a civil attorney.
He believes that all Mississippi judges and Supreme Court justices should share and practice Mr. Jefferson’s timeless values.
We have a state Supreme Court majority that routinely takes the side of powerful corporations over the interests of everyday Mississippians. Such one-sided rulings do not represent “equal and impartial justice” for the people of Mississippi.
“Judges should be fair to all those who appear before them,” Jim Kitchens said. “As a judge, I will be guided by the law. I will not make decisions based on who my friends or my supporters are.”
Jim Kitchens believes:
All people should be able to seek justice from the courts, regardless of their position in life.
Judges should rule based on the law, not based on their political philosophies or the political philosophies of their financial supporters.
The rights of individuals should be protected against the desires of large corporations and insurance companies.
Juries, not politicians, should decide to how much a wronged person is entitled.
“Being fair and impartial should be the aim of every judge, and it will be my aim as a Supreme Court justice,” Jim Kitchens said. “I will not consider politics or personal preferences when it comes to making a decision. I will consider only the rule of law.”
Upholding strong family values
May 1, 2008
Jim Kitchens is a family man who has lived his entire life in rural Mississippi. This year he celebrates 40 years of marriage with Mary, with whom he raised five children.
It should come as no surprise that Jim Kitchens values family above all things, and tough decisions he made reflect this. When he was still fresh out of college, Kitch left the family business and moved to Oxford so his 17-year-old brother could attend Ole Miss, then go to medical school. And Jim Kitchens left his influential post as district attorney to provide for his young son who was diagnosed with cancer.
More than making tough decisions, Kitch believes in doing the right thing and living one’s life according to Christian principles.
Jim Kitchens is a Sunday School teacher, a Baptist deacon and works in the church nursery.
Jim Kitchens gives back to his community, his state and his profession through volunteer work, by helping with Camp Rainbow for children with cancer and by mentoring new lawyers.
And Kitch even tries to keep up with his 93-year-old mother who lives just down the road from him in Crystal Springs. She still teaches piano full time.
No matter what his opponents may say in this race, Kitch knows that his life’s work speaks for his true nature. He’s been a tough prosecutor, fought for the rights of ordinary people and represented people who were wrongly accused of crimes.
And along the way, Kitch has fulfilled his ethical obligation as an attorney to shepherd everyone who seeks his assistance through the legal system, even when that means simply ensuring guilty people are given fair representation as they prepare to serve their sentence for crimes they committed.
Jim Kitchens has a record of being fair to all people, honest above reproach and self-sacrificing to help his fellow man. You can expect no less of him as a justice on the Mississippi Supreme Court.
