Two of three candidates for justice court in Warren County’s Southern District say they will draw on their respective law enforcement and legal experience to handle cases of domestic violence, the topic of a forum Thursday organized by the Episcopal Church Women of The Church of the Holy Trinity, Episcopal.

Incumbent Jeff Crevitt, appointed to the bench in July, and attorney Lisa Anglin Counts reiterated their years working with such cases as they answered questions on protecting victims and the court system’s handling of the issue. Candidate Sally Sheffield McDaniel was unable to attend due to illness, event organizers said.

“I’ve seen a little bit of everything,” said Crevitt, a 14-year investigator with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and 22-year deputy. “A lot of it isn’t pretty.”

Crevitt, 46, appointed to the bench in July, credited his years seeing cases from the law enforcement side and continued training on the subject as a plus in his quest for the job.

“The Attorney General’s Office is doing a superb job on keeping law enforcement and judges updated on new laws,” Crevitt said. “My training over the years has kept me updated.”

Counts, 43, a former circuit court administrator, told about 30 group members, attorneys, elected officials and others who attended the largely cordial session that her experience in the courtroom on divorces, child custody and domestic abuse will prove “invaluable” when hearing misdemeanor criminal cases.

“I see the frustration from their (the clients’) end and I get frustrated with the court system,” Counts said. “If I can see something so clearly, why can’t the judge see what they’re seeing that clear?”

The three candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 special election ballot in 10 of Warren County’s 22 precincts, mostly in south Vicksburg and Warren County. All precincts in District 5 will select an Election Commission member, either incumbent Lonnie Wooley or challenger Gordon Cordes.

Both said they would like to see expanded counseling beyond what is available for domestic violence victims, citing various studies noting Mississippi typically ranks high in the per-capita homicide rate of women killed annually by their significant others.

Both recounted particularly violent cases with which they had been associated — Counts a case involving the deaths of three children at the hands of their father and Crevitt an instance where a woman came at him with a pair of scissors while he was attempting to apprehend the husband for striking the woman in front of him.

“A lot of (women) think it’s their fault,” Crevitt said.

Other points of agreement included finding ways to improve communication between Warren County Justice Court and Vicksburg Municipal Court, specifically cases where background information on those accused of domestic violence is missing because no check was done.

“Communication needs to be open between law enforcement and with the entire court system across the state,” Crevitt said.

Another was on how quickly they would dismiss charges at a victim’s request in a typical domestic violence case.

“I don’t agree with it,” Crevitt said. “Who’s to say they weren’t being intimidated?”

“Force (victims) to go through with it if you can,” Counts said.

Law enforcement officers are required to testify to abusive behavior when witnessed by the officer or when strong evidence is present, even if a victim decides not to press charges.

In Mississippi, justice court judges hear small claims civil cases involving debts up to $3,500, misdemeanor criminal cases and any traffic offenses that occur outside municipalities. Justice court judges also conduct bond hearings and preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases and may issue search warrants.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com