On Thursday, January 16, 2025, WLBT reported that the Mississippi Supreme Court permanently removed attorney Carlos Moore from his position as a municipal judge due to what the court characterized as “willful misconduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice.” The ruling, which includes a $3,000 fine, follows a petition filed nearly a year earlier seeking Moore’s removal from the bench for his conduct while serving as a judge in Clarksdale and Grenada.

The decision comes after Moore had already resigned from his role in Clarksdale, with reports indicating he was transitioning to a law firm in Atlanta and preparing for marriage. This ruling is also in the wake of a one-year suspension from practicing law imposed by the Mississippi Bar’s Complaint Tribunal.

The Supreme Court’s majority opinion outlined that Moore had not maintained the integrity expected of a judge, stating he failed to act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the judiciary. The court noted that although Moore acknowledged his actions, he continued to assert that he had done nothing wrong, raising concerns about the likelihood of recurring misconduct. As a result, the court deemed a harsh sanction necessary.

The Commission on Judicial Performance had previously recommended that Moore be removed from office, suspended for six years, and fined $5,000, along with a public reprimand. However, the Supreme Court’s final ruling stipulates that Moore’s removal is permanent, as expressed in the opinion that the phrase “removed from office” in the Mississippi Constitution implies an irreversible separation from judicial duties.

Associate Justice Robert Chamberlin authored the court’s opinion, which was supported by Justices Mike Randolph, Josiah Coleman, James Maxwell, David Ishee, Kenneth Griffis, David Sullivan, and Jenifer Branning. Presiding Justice Leslie King dissented, arguing for the preservation of Moore’s First Amendment rights.

The controversy surrounding Moore involved comments he made on social media and during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Following the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse in 2021, Moore expressed his views on social media, suggesting that the justice system is inequitable and that if Rittenhouse had been Black, he would likely have been convicted. He argued for the necessity of Black lawyers and judges in addressing systemic injustices within the criminal justice system.

The Mississippi Supreme Court found that Moore’s comments violated a previous agreement with the Commission on Judicial Performance that limited the types of statements he could make publicly, especially related to his role as a judge. The court acknowledged that while Moore’s comments could be considered protected speech as a private citizen, judges must accept certain restrictions on their conduct to maintain public trust in the judiciary.

In a separate instance, Moore discussed the limitations judges face regarding empathy for individuals who do not share their backgrounds during an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022. The Supreme Court referenced this interview as part of its rationale for the disciplinary actions taken against him.

Justice King, dissenting, contended that judges do not relinquish their First Amendment rights upon taking office. He cited previous cases where judicial speech was upheld, asserting that Moore’s comments did not constitute misconduct under the Mississippi Code of Judicial Conduct.

The Mississippi Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant action against judicial misconduct, emphasizing the importance of integrity and public confidence in the judicial system. As the case concludes, the ruling sets a precedent regarding the conduct expected of judges in the state.

 

 

Source: WLBT