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The Mississippi Judicial College, a
division of the Un iversity
of Mississippi Law Center, was
founded in 1970 by the late Judge
Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr. Through
the efforts of Judge Sweat, the
Judicial College began its existence
as the first full-time state
judicial education program in the
nation, with a modest grant of
$90,000 and a part-time staff. The
Judicial College has evolved into a
respected integral part of the
University of Mississippi School of
Law and is now supported with more
than one million dollars funded
annually through the State Court
Education Fund. At present the
Judicial College has a staff of
nine with additional part-time
help as needed.
The Mississippi Judicial has as its mission:
1) The education and training of Mississippi's
court-related personnel, including some 2,800
judges, court administrators, court clerks, court
reporters, special attorneys, and juvenile justice
professionals;
2) The technical assistance to the courts of
Mississippi, including publications, research and
support of projects to improve the
administration of justice; and
3) The supply of current and accurate information to
the Mississippi Legislature concerning the needs
of the courts.
Now in its 30th year of service, the Judicial College receives regular grant funding from the Governor's Office of Federal/State
 Programs through the Criminal Justice and Highway Safety Divisions. The Judicial College also regularly participates in grant-funded model projects on regional and national levels which include faculty training and substantive law topics. Communication with the entire state court system has enabled the Judicial College to recruit volunteers to participate in training programs, publications, and committees. These volunteers represent all segments of society including legal, educational and governmental positions, and their participation ensures a practical approach to the Judicial Colleges' mission. |
