Two candidates are vying for the seat of Leflore County Justice Court judge, Central District — the incumbent, Neysha Sanders, and a former Justice Court judge, Larry Neal.
Sanders, who is running as an independent candidate, was appointed to the position on Jan. 3, after her predecessor, James Littleton, was elected Leflore County Court judge.
Sanders, 53, is a graduate of Millsaps College, the University of Pittsburgh Law School and Hamline School of Law in Minnesota.
She is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Magnolia Bar Association, American Bar Association and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, which provides free legal services for indigent citizens.
Her proudest accomplishment in her career, she said, was earning her Master of Law degree in alternative dispute resolution.
“This was a critical step in preparing me to serve as a Municipal Court judge, Leflore County Justice Court judge and the Leflore County Chancery Court family master,” she said.
Sanders said it was always her intent to return to her hometown after earning her law degree, which she did in 2003.
“My experience at all levels of the justice system gives me a unique and valuable perspective when presiding in the courtroom,” she said.
Along with serving as a Justice Court judge, she is a trial attorney, public defender, Municipal Court judge and professor at Mississippi Valley State University and the Leflore County Chancery Court family master.
Her legal background includes prosecutor for the Leflore County Youth Court and Youth Court Drug Court, school board attorney and attorney for the Leflore County Board of Supervisors.
In October, she attended the Justice Court judges’ training conference.
“My legal experience and training as a practicing attorney deems me most qualified to continue serving as your Justice Court judge,” she said. “My experience, training and legal education is current, not 20 years ago.”
During her time as a Justice Court judge, she is proud of “having the opportunity to provide rehabilitative punishment while remaining fair, impartial and serving without any bias or prejudice,” she said.
Neal, 74, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Mississippi Valley State University and his Master of Arts degree at Delta State University. He received judicial training at the University of Mississippi Law Center and in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Neal, a Democrat, has been a small business manager/owner for 32 years. He served as a Justice Court judge for 16 years. He served for 10 years as a Municipal Court judge in Itta Bena and a former counselor and instructor at MVSU. He served in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam War veteran and a past commander of the American Legion Post 200.
His past and present memberships include Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Hart Lodge No. 640, Masonic Lodge No. 93, Magnolia Judges Association, American Judges Association and Mississippi Justice Court Judges Association. His community service includes personally maintaining the Good Shepherd and Magnolia cemeteries for 10 years after the cemeteries had been abandoned by their owners.
Neal’s political involvement goes back more than 40 years. In 1984, he was selected as the campaign office manager for Robert Clark, who was running for U.S. representative. He donated that office space to Mike Espy, who ran for Congress in 1986, and he managed that office. In 1993, Neal donated that same office space to U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson.
Neal was elected Leflore County Justice Court judge for the Southern District in 1988. He was the first African American judge from Greenwood to be elected Justice Court judge.
As Justice Court judge, Neal said he is proud of often being called to hear cases in other counties when local judges had to recuse themselves because he had a reputation for being fair and honest.
“As a former Justice Court judge, I have always believed in justice for all citizens of Leflore County, regardless of race, creed or color, which makes me the best choice to replace Judge James Littleton,” said Neal.
Justice court’s jurisdiction covers misdemeanors that can carry a sentence of a year or less in jail, as well as civil cases with a limit of $3,500. Judges are paid $41,612 a year.
- Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
