Seven people have applied to fill the justice court judgeship for Warren County’s Southern District in advance of Thursday’s deadline, Chancery Clerk Dot McGee said.

One will be chosen by supervisors to hear the next round of cases, set to begin July 27. The position became vacant following the July 2 death of 12-year incumbent Joe Crevitt and will be on the special election ballot Nov. 3, along with races for tax collector and two spots on the Warren County Election Commission.

Three are confirmed as having submitted applications — Crevitt’s son, Jeff, who is an investigator with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, attorney Lisa Counts, a former circuit court administrator, and attorney Ceola James, who lost a special election to Crevitt in 1997 after she was appointed by supervisors to succeed Jeff Riggs.

McGee declined to name the four additional applicants. The full board is expected to make its choice Monday.

Applicants for the job must be 18 or older and live in the Southern District for two years before the appointment.  A high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma also is required. A law degree is not.

Checks of residency and other qualifications will be done by county officials in advance of a board vote, County Administrator John Smith said.

In 2007, a task force called by the Legislature recommended several new requirements for the office, such as an associate’s degree and five years’ experience as a certified law officer, paralegal, court clerk, deputy clerk or court administrator. One recommendation enacted into law stipulated additional legal and judicial training. Salaries are set by the Legislature according to county populations. In Warren County, the position pays $40,075.

Appointees are now serving as tax collector and in two of the five election commission seats. Interim Tax Collector Antonia Flaggs Jones was tapped for the post held by Pat Simrall until the 16-year incumbent’s retirement in May. Elva Smith and Lonnie Wooley were chosen by supervisors to hold the election commission seats.

Qualifying for the special election ends Sept. 4 and those elected will serve through the next round of countywide elections in November 2011 until new, four-year terms start in January 2012.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com