Special to Democrat

Former Justice Court Judge Danny Barber, who was elected to office in 1992 and served 3 consecutive (12 years) unopposed terms until 2004, has announced his candidacy to seek the Southern District Justice Court Judge as an independent candidate in the general election on Nov. 5 ,2019. Barber stated that a judge should not run as a Democrat or Republican but should be nonpartisan.

Barber previously served as Justice Court Judge of the Southeast District and was forced to vacate his judge position after the 2000 Federal Census reduced the number of judges from three to two creating a northern and southern justice court judge seats.  Adams county’s population had dropped just below the 35,000 required to have 3 justice court judges. Barber continued his public service career in local law enforcement until his retirement as a Major for Court Security for the Adams County Sheriff’s Dept. in January 2016.

Barber started his public service career in 1979 with the Natchez Police Dept. then to the Adams County Sheriff’s Dept. and serving 2 terms (8 yrs.) as Constable of the Southeastern District before being elected to Justice Court Judge of the Southeastern District.

Barber has received approximately 500 hrs. of judicial training from the

University of Mississippi Judicial College and The American Judicial College for Judges.

Barber graduated from Natchez-Adams High School and attended Copiah-Lincoln Jr. College, Northeast Ms. Jr. College, Holmes Community College, University of Southern Ms. and the Harrison County Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy and numerous in-service training courses.

“Being a justice court judge was the greatest experience of my career and I would probably still be a sitting judge if the 2000 Census hadn’t caused me to vacate the seat”. Barber also stated that being a law enforcement officer has given him great insight to both sides from investigation to arrest and presenting the facts before the court. “ I know how the law enforcement procedures work and believe me that is very important to know when sitting on the bench listening to a case, keeping an open mind and hearing the facts presented before the court”.

Our community has recently seen a huge outbreak of violent crimes and the offenders being released back into the public due to low bonds

being set by the judges. Now it is election year and the bonds increase!

Bonds should be set on a case by case basis but prior violent offenders

bonds should not be set so low that they are easily bonded out and released back into the community to commit more felony crimes as we all have seen in the past.  Judges and law enforcement officials are here to protect our citizens and administer justice fairly.

I believe in helping first-time offenders on non- violent cases and trying to set the offender on the right path if the offender adheres to the orders by the court. People are human and make mistakes. This, of course, would only be done if the victims agree with the court.

Barber has a total of 36 years experience as a public servant, serving the people of Adams County in a fair, honest and professional manner.

“I will be a full-time, not part-time judge. All anyone wants is to be treated fairly and I have a proven record of fairness with decisions made with firmness,” Barber said. “Please vote Nov. 5th for a judge who will protect and serve our community.”