JACKSON, Miss. — The NAACP has decided to discontinue its lawsuit against the Mississippi Legislature’s recent decision to establish a new state court in Jackson, a city that has a predominantly Black population and a Democratic governance structure.
In 2023, the civil rights organization along with local community members initiated legal action to prevent the formation of a court within the Capitol Complex Improvement District, which encompasses the downtown area and sections of Jackson known for state government facilities and upscale shopping. This move to create the new court aligned with the Legislature’s plan to broaden the operational area of the state-managed Capitol Police.
Attorneys representing the NAACP expressed optimism about reports indicating that the new Capitol Complex Improvement District Court would include adequate protections for the residents of Jackson. In documents filed on Monday, they revealed their decision to abandon the legal challenge concerning the selection process for court officials.
The details regarding these proposed protections were not disclosed in the court filing. When contacted for further clarification, two attorneys for the plaintiffs did not provide a response.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate agreed to the NAACP’s request and dismissed the lawsuit, allowing the court’s establishment to move forward.
Initially, the NAACP raised concerns that the new court could diminish democratic practices, as neither local voters nor elected officials in Jackson would have the authority to select the judge or the prosecutors. According to state law, the court will have a judge assigned by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court, along with prosecutors appointed by the state attorney general. Both positions are currently held by white, conservative officials.
Proponents of the new court, including Republican Governor Tate Reeves and the legislators involved, argue that this measure is intended to address crime levels in Jackson, which have exceeded 100 homicides annually over the last four years, with the city housing around 150,000 residents.
Judge Wingate had earlier ruled that plans for the new court could proceed, although its implementation faced delays mainly due to the lack of appropriate facilities for the court’s operations.
The Capitol Complex Improvement District Court will hold the same authority as municipal courts, which handle minor offenses, traffic infractions, and preliminary hearings for certain criminal charges. Individuals found guilty in the new court will be subjected to incarceration in a state prison, as opposed to those convicted in municipal courts, who are typically held in local jails.
Unlike most municipal judges, who are appointed by city authorities, the new court’s structure does not allow for local input, which is notable given that Jackson is governed by a Black mayor and a predominantly Black city council.