Miss. Supreme Court Justice George Carlson Announces Retirement
The Clarion-Ledger reports that Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice George Carlson will retire at the end of his current term. The term runs through 2012. Chief Justice Waller spoke glowingly of Justice Carlson:
Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. called Carlson “a tireless public servant whose life is characterized by hard work, attention to detail, fairness and collegiality.
“No one worked longer hours or paid more attention to the work of the Court than Justice Carlson,” Waller said in the news release. “Above all, he demonstrates the highest ethical standards possible in his public and personal life. No person has positively shaped the image of the Court in the past 10 years more than Presiding Justice Carlson.”
Justice Carlson will have served on the bench for 30 years at his retirement (19 as circuit judge, 11 on Supreme Court).
My Take:
I heard a few weeks ago that Justice Carlson might retire, but was not going to blog about it until there was an official announcement. I probably shouldn't discuss Justice Carlson's legacy on the Court until his actual retirement date, since he will still be a justice for another year and I may have cases before the Court during that time period.
The timing of Justice Carlson's announcement and the fact that he will serve out the remainder of his term are classy moves. If Justice Carlson retired immediately, then whoever Governor Barbour (or Bryant) appointed to replace him would have a huge advantage in the election for the position. But now the candidates will be on a level playing as far as a perception of incumbency.
It will be interesting to see who throws their hat in the ring for the seat.
I won't comment on Justice Carlson's judicial career for the same reasons. However, I have no problem stating that I always thoroughly enjoy talking to him whenever I see him at a legal event. He is smart, engaging and always remembers the names of lawyers. Hopefully, this retirement will allow him to further expand his career as the play by play football guy for South Panola. Only in Mississippi..........