OKTIBBEHA COUNTY — Three candidates have qualified for Oktibbeha County’s newly formed county court.
Charles Bruce Brown, C. Marty Haug and Lee Ann Turner — all Starkville attorneys — will run for county court judge in November.
Due to Oktibbeha County’s population growth since the 2010 Census, it is required by state laws to have a county court to oversee both civil and criminal cases with jurisdictions ranging from $3,500 to $200,000. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves approved the creation of the court Jan. 18.
A third generation Starkville attorney, Brown has been practicing law in Oktibbeha County for 31 years. Brown said he is running because he wants to represent his fellow Oktibbeha County residents.
Youth court will fall under the purview of county court, something in which Brown is familiar, having represented clients in youth courts since he began practicing law. He said he believes his knowledge, experience and abilities will make him a great candidate for the position.
“I am running for the newly created Oktibbeha County court judgeship as a way to serve my community and the citizens of Oktibbeha County,” Brown said in a written statement. “I have represented plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases and represented defendants in cases ranging from capital murder to driving under the influence.”
Haug has served Oktibbeha County as a justice court judge since 2015 and practiced law in Starkville since 2009. He served six years as an attorney with Florida’s first judicial circuit before that.
He has practiced criminal defense and represented thousands of clients whose charges ranged from misdemeanors to murder. He opened his law office in Starkville in 2010, representing clients with a broad spectrum of legal needs.
As a justice court judge, Haug oversaw several civil cases that would now fall under the county court system. Haug did not respond to The Dispatch for comment before press time.
A graduate from the University of Alabama School of Law, Turner has practiced law for 26 years. She has worked as a staff attorney for chancery court judges in the district, as well as done extensive work in the youth court system.
Turner said she is running for county court judge because of her experience in youth court and wants to continue helping individuals, especially children, in need.
“(County court) is the type of court that can really have a good impact on a person’s life or can have a devastating impact,” Turner said. “The fact that I do have the training and experience will be vital to the county court as well as the youth court aspect to make sure the best result can happen for the children and the families that are in the court.”
Turner said she is excited for the campaign process and is proud Oktibbeha County will finally have a county court.
“Just the fact that we in Oktibbeha County now have a county court is such a big thing,” Turner said. “It shows the county is growing, so it’s really good that this will be a good ability to hopefully cases faster through the system.”
The deadline to qualify for the newly created county judge seat is Feb. 1. The general election for the position will be Nov. 8.
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