Q: While County Court is most often identified with Youth Court, it can also hear cases transferred from the circuit and chancery courts. Do you think the felony case load needs to be more evenly distributed between the circuit, chancery and county courts?

Walt Brown: Chancery Courts have no jurisdiction to hear criminal matters. Jurisdiction over criminal matter lies with the Circuit Court, but non-capital felony cases can be transferred to County Court. If called upon by the Circuit Judges, I would be glad to take on some of their criminal caseload. I really believe that if more attorneys would file their smaller civil claims in County Court as opposed to Circuit Court, that would greatly reduce the Circuit Court’s caseload and give it more time to concentrate on it’s criminal docket and more complicated civil cases such as mass tort, serious personal injury, medical malpractice and contract disputes.

Lamar Bullen: Yes. The Circuit Court consists of two Circuit Judges and they hear a large number of civil and criminal cases each year.  Since there has been a turn down in the economy over the past two years and the caseload has been lighter in County Court.  This allows an opportunity of the County Court to be used to help with the over flow from Circuit and Chancery Court.  As next county court Judge I will work hand in hand with all judicial branches and help all that we can.  I will offer all the help I can to Judge Johnson, Judge Sanders, Judge Ward and Judge Davis.  Chancery Court does not normally handle felony cases.

Patricia Dunmore: The decisions to transfer cases are within the discretion of the Circuit and Chancery Judges. The chancery court does not hear criminal cases.  Other judges will know if they are overloaded and that cases should be transferred to County Court. If they are, I will be available to handle these cases.

Brandi Lewis: I do not believe that the felony cases should be distributed amongst the Courts, and in fact, the legislature has enacted statutory law which tells the Courts and the citizens what cases must be filed in which Courts.  The Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction over felony cases, and the County Court has only limited jurisdiction over felony cases.  It is my belief that this was put in place to spread out the case load.  I am of the opinion that in order for consistent justice to be administered one Court needs to handle the felony trials.  Justice Court and County Court are working to aid in the disposition of misdemeanor cases and initial proceedings in felony cases, so that the Circuit Court can focus on the disposition of the felony cases.

Scott Pintard: While the County Court can participate in the felony cases, I believe this matter is best left to the Circuit Courts to decide or distribute cases. The Circuit Court has the power to transfer the cases if the Judges deem it necessary. The Circuit Court is best equipped to handle felony trials. I would not object to hearing any cases transferred from Circuit Court.

Scott Slover: Presently, there are very few actual felony trials in Adams County as probably ninety-nine percent of them are settled between the defense attorneys and DA’s office.  Therefore, the Circuit Court of Adams County is able to manage the felony docket pretty easily.  I believe the County Court should be focused on keeping its civil docket running quickly, overdue fines and its Youth Court.