Vicksburg Municipal Court Judge Toni Walker Terrett has qualified to run for 9th District Circuit Court Judge, sub-district 9-1.

The district covers Warren, Sharkey and Issaquena counties. Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick, who presently holds the post, is retiring. Terrett has qualified for the seat with the Secretary of State. Circuit Judge M. James Chaney has also qualified for re-election to his seat on the bench. Circuit judges serve a four-year term.

Qualifying for judicial races ends May 11. The election is Nov. 6 with a runoff, if needed, set for Nov. 27. All judicial races are nonpartisan.

“I’ve served the city in some form of judgeship since 2009,” Terrett said. “I have enjoyed my time there and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve spent time with Judge Patrick when I was a defense attorney and also as a drug court public defender. I think he showed a great example to follow.

“I feel at this time I have the experience, the insight and all the other qualities necessary to be effective and continue what he has done over the past several years. When I first heard about it (the opening) I did pray about it. I talked to my family and just laid it all out. This is something I would like to do — continue to serve as a judge.”

Terrett said she will be able to continue as municipal judge during her campaign.

Terrett served as the city’s Community Court judge in 2009 before her appointment to Municipal Court. She worked in private practice, and has experience as a Drug Court Public Defender, law clerk for 9th District Chancellor Vicki Barnes, and as a contract attorney for the Mississippi Center for Legal Services.

As municipal judge, she oversaw the implementation of the house arrest program and the use of a collection agency for past-due fines.

Besides supervising the court services staff, she is responsible for the city’s Community Service program, which has been enhanced under her leadership.

She initiated a community impact panel where some younger first-time nonviolent offenders are required to attend a session with community members and leaders for the purpose of mentoring and redirecting.

She has served as project director for the Vicksburg Domestic Violence Victims’ Empowerment program since 2013, and helped to expand the program to provide more services to victims while holding defendants accountable and educating the community.

In 2016, she received the Community Awareness Award from the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2016 for her work in domestic violence awareness.

Terrett has been recognized by The Vicksburg Post as a Community Hero and by the Mississippi Business Journal as a 2017 Leader in Law and one of the 50 Leading Business Women in 2010.

She is vice president of the board of directors for Mountain of Faith Ministries and a volunteer for organizations such as the United Way of West Central Mississippi and Salvation Army. She is a member of the Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Mount Alban M.B. Church, where she serves as pianist for the Women of Faith Choir. 

Terrett is a Vicksburg High School magna cum laude and Hall of Fame honor graduate.

She has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Tougaloo College and attended Purdue University before enrolling at the University of Memphis, where she earned a master’s degree in journalism.

She graduated from the Mississippi College School of Law and is a member of the American Bar, Mississippi Bar, Warren County and Magnolia Bar Associations. She and her husband are the parents of five teenagers including a set of twins.