NATCHEZ — With one Adams County Justice Court Judge on medical leave, at least two local judges have agreed to volunteer time to prevent a backlog of arraignments.

Adams County Board of Supervisors board attorney Scott Slover said at the beginning of June, Judge Patricia Dunmore began taking a 30- to 60-day, temporary leave of absence. Slover said only having one judge, Interim Justice Court Judge Hyde Carby, could create a legal issue if people are not arraigned within a certain time period or have a bond hearing after being arrested.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said he thought Carby alone could meet the arraignment obligation in a timely manner, however, the justice court would be so packed on arraignment day it would create a safety issue.

“Justice court is already too small as is, which is one reason to build a new jail so we can house the justice court,” Patten said. “It is hard to watch everything that goes on when you are standing shoulder to shoulder. That is a security hazard.”

Patten said to clear up the potential space issue, Circuit Court Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson and Adams County Court Judge Walt Brown have agreed to help handle any court duties necessary. Patten said he is certain Circuit Court Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders would also help, but he has not had to reach out to her just yet.

“So far it has worked out,” Patten said. “As long as the judges keep answering their phones, it will work. We will do everything in our power to make it work.”

Carby is filling the seat vacated by former judge Charlie Vess, who retired earlier this year. Carby  has said he does not plan to seek reelection in the upcoming Southern Justice Court District election in November

“We will spread the work around as appropriate and don’t anticipate any hiccups,” Carby said.

Patten said Carby is doing a good job in the interim and he wishes Dunmore a speedy recovery.

“My prayers go out to Judge Dunmore right now during her illness,” he said.

Slover said any time beyond their required duties Carby, Brown or Johnson devotes to justice court could not be compensated. Slover said the county could compensate the municipal judge, should Judge Lisa Jordan Dale be asked to step in, $140 per day.

Board of Supervisors President Mike Lazarus said during Dunmore’s medical leave, the board cannot temporarily appoint another justice to perform her duties, so the county would have to reach out to as many judges as possible to fill in and make sure people are arraigned and receive bonds.

“Hyde has been filling in for her while she has been out,” Lazarus said. “He has been gracious. He just took the position to help the county out, so it’s not like it’s his career. He’s been doing his job and Judge Dunmore’s and any time spent there has been taking away from his private practice.”

Patten said he thanked Johnson and Brown for agreeing to help out, as well.

“The judges so far since Judge Dunmore has been out have stepped up,” Patten said “It could have been an issue but we addressed it pretty quickly.”