Reprimand and $500 fine for judge who wrongly voided warrant
Published 2:25 pm Monday, April 29, 2019
(AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court is reprimanding a justice court judge who improperly voided a warrant for an ex-girlfriend.
In a Thursday decision, the court fined Coahoma County Justice Court Judge Jesse Burton $500 and ordered him reprimanded in Coahoma County Circuit Court.
Burton filed a criminal complaint alleging his former girlfriend had stolen money and property from Burton. Another judge signed an arrest warrant for the woman.
Before the woman was arrested, Burton changed his mind and ordered a clerk to rescind the warrant, even though he had no power to do so because it was signed by another judge.
The woman complained to the state Judicial Performance Commission, and Burton entered into a settlement, admitting what happened. The Supreme Court agreed with the settlement’s recommended $500 fine and reprimand.