Funeral director James E. Jefferson Jr. will be the justice court judge from Warren County’s Central District for at least a year until a special election is held.

Jefferson, 50, the operator of Jefferson Funeral Association since 1996, was appointed unanimously by county supervisors Monday over 10 other applicants to the position vacated by former judge Richard Bradford, who resigned effective Oct. 1.

It is Jefferson’s second appointment to public office. In 2007, he served briefly as constable from the district, but lost a bid for a full term to current constable Randy Naylor. Jefferson said he will run for the judgeship in 2010, when the post will appear on the ballot for congressional midterm elections for U.S. House and Senate.

Terms on justice court seats are decided during county- and state-level election cycles, which means the winner in next year’s Central District race must run again in 2011. Bradford’s resignation came after qualifying ended for this year’s special election — to be held Nov. 3 — which features contested races for justice court judge in the Southern District and Election Commission member for District 5.

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. Warren County has three judges who are elected from districts, but hear cases arising from any part of the county.

Salaries are set by the Legislature according to county populations. In Warren County, the position pays $40,075. State lawmakers have recommended beefing up qualifications for justice court judgeships, such as an associate’s degree and five years’ experience as a certified law officer, paralegal, court clerk, deputy clerk or court administrator. Current criteria do not require a law degree.

Appearing on ballots on this year’s special election for Southern District justice court judge are the person serving by appointment, Jeff Crevitt, and Lisa Anglin Counts and Sally Sheffield McDaniel. In the Election Commission race, incumbent District 5 commissioner Lonnie Wooley is opposed by Gordon Cordes.

Four-year terms for commissioners on the five-member elections panel run even with the presidential election cycle. They enroll voters, assign them polling places, prepare ballots, certify non-party candidates, conduct all general and special elections and certify results.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com