Joe Turney
By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher
A Columbia attorney has qualified to run for 15th District Circuit Court judge.
Joe Turney will run for the seat currently held by Prentiss Harrell of Hattiesburg, who is seeking re-election. Turney said he is running for the position because, “I believe we need experience, integrity, and consistency on the bench.”
He said he would not allow his personal opinions to affect his decisions when it comes to the law. Judges are supposed to be neutral and not make decisions until all the facts are heard, said Turney.
Judge Harrell has been inconsistent when it comes to sentencing defendants, Turney noted. For instance, Turney said in some cases Harrell has given small sentences when there should have been more punishment, and in other cases the sentences have been too tough.
“I will be more consistent than he has been,” said Turney. “I will be fair and impartial. I’m not going to play politics with people’s lives.”
A judge should act as a neutral arbiter, he said, adding, “The jury is the ultimate fact finder.” Judges don’t make the law but make sure laws are properly carried out, he said.
Turney said he would also oversee the Drug Court in a better fashion than Harrell. Drug Court should be considered a second chance, but Harrell has given defendants third and fourth chances, Turney said. If elected, Turney said he would make sure the defendants were held accountable and met all of their Drug Court obligations or there would be no more chances.
“I bring accountability to the bench,” said Turney. “I’ll run Drug Court right.”
Turney has practiced law for seven years and is a graduate of the Ole Miss Law School. He has his own practice in Columbia and primarily practices criminal defense but has experience in civil cases as well.
He is running for Seat 2; the other Circuit Court seat in the 15th District is held by R.I. Prichard III of Picayune, who is also seeking re-election. He faces Anthony A. Mozingo of Purvis in the election. The election for Circuit Court judge is in November and is non-partisan. The 15th Circuit Court District serves the counties of Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion and Pearl River and the judge terms are four years.
Judge Harrell could not be reached for comment.
JOE,GO GET HIM,YOU GOT MY VOTE!!!!I KNOW YOU YOU WILL DO A GREAT JOB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“I believe we need experience, integrity, and consistency on the bench.” LOL, and he thinks he has any of these………..NOT! What hasn’t this guy run for? He looks like a kid. He WILL NOT have my vote.
Actually, my first and only race for office was in 2007 for county attorney of Marion County. I am 36 years old and have practiced law for seven years. Judge Prichard was 34 when he was first elected Circuit Court Judge. I only state that for demonstrating youth is not necessarily a handicap. All I ask anyone is to be open minded and vote their conscience in November and noone can fault an individual for that.
So whats Joe Turney gonna do now? Is he going to put all of those drug addicted individuals that he defended so pasionately behind bars if ellected judge? When they should of already been there. Why didn’t he hold them accountable then? Oh!, that’s right they signed his paycheck.
So your reasoning is that I should have been a horrible lazy defense attorney to evidence I would be a good judge. In most cases, I have been appointed to do the same level of quality work for a lesser fee at tax payers expense for my clients and proudly did so (matter of public record in clerks office). I assume the tax payers would expect me to earn my keep and the process fails if every player does not do their job well and with integrity. If it were you, a family member, or friend, I also assume you would not expect otherwise. Furthermore, prosecutors prosecute and defense attorneys defend. I have worked for a district attorneys office and later became a defense attorney. I have always defended my cases without sacrificing my integrity and credibility.
Excuse me…..how do you think Prentiss Harrell made his living before being elected judge by all his friends in Canebrake? Better know your facts!
As all may see, I am willing to respond to any questions you may have for me and will do my best to do so.
Didn’t Joseph Turney recently ask to be considered for the posistion of City Judge after the passing of judge Dantin?
Actually, I was originally approached regarding the position and responded I had an interest. I have defended many crminal cases before the Honorable Judge Forrest Dantin, a man who knew well how to run a fair and just court.
responding to “obliged”….if he got those “drug addicted individuals” off, then seems he did a great job defending his client…that’s what defense attorneys do. In response to his “looking like a kid” and “experience”, I’m sure many of us would like to regain some of you youthful looks, and experience, it’s got to start somewhere.
Well I hate to make this rude comment, BUT sometimes attorneys need to get ALL the evidence and not let the Marion County Court Department ruin their name!!!!! The court dept. needs to be investigated BIG TIME!!!!!!
Wow. I’m impressed with Turney. Anyone who will come on this credible online paper and open a dialogue with the people is a gutsy, great man. You go Joe. I’m behind you 100%.
Mr. Turney I have the utmost respect for you . I will say you have my vote. But what I would like to see from this county is anybody running for any kind of office is more programs for our children. Everybody has something to say about the drug problems but no one will suggest any programs to stop it before it begins. I feel if there was more programs it will give a postive influnce on our community. Pre- invention is always a good option. Everyone needs to stop waiting for people to get in trouble but try and prevent before it happens.But I have heard a million times when people ask for help.” I’m sorry can’t help ’till they get arrested.” WHY???????????????
Having three young children of my own, I understand your concern. However, should I be blessed with being elected to the demanding service as circuit court judge, my official judicial capacity would limit me to dealing with alleged misconduct after the fact and I am not the appropriate person to answer you “Why”. Keep asking though and you may be heard.
I have more respect for Joe than any lawyer in Columbia. When I needed a lawyer, Mr. Turney was the ONLY lawyer in town that would take my case because of who my complaint was against. That speaks alot in itself. That scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours is not his way of doing things. Right is right and wrong is wrong regardless of who you are. He tells it like it is, client or not, goes by the law, client or not, charges like most people do when they work for you and has integrity, real morals, gets all the facts and will do what needs to be done within the law to get the job done. Who says you have to be one foot in the grave in order to fill this position?? We need some younger, new, and true honest people in our court system that will do what needs to be done. The more harsh the sentence, the less likely they are to come out and do it again. YOU HAVE MY VOTE JOE. GO GET THEM!!………