Statement from the Mississippi Bar on Recent Pleas and Indictments

All of the below is a quote from the statement released to members of the bar:

Commenting on the recent guilty pleas and indictments, Bobby Bailess of Vicksburg, President of The Mississippi Bar, stated, "These admissions and allegations of attempts to improperly influence judges undermine our system of justice."

"Our legal system is based on the principle that fair and impartial judges will, without any undue influence, interpret and apply the laws that govern us. An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. Public confidence in an impartial court system is absolutely necessary."

Bailess went on to say, "The legal profession demands the utmost honesty and integrity from its members. When even one lawyer fails to uphold these high standards, Mississippi lawyers are both saddened and angered. Improper efforts to influence judges and the outcome of cases call into question the integrity of our legal system. This outrageous conduct cannot and will not be tolerated."

Bailess continued, "The actions of these few lawyers are not reflective of the more than 6,700 lawyers in Mississippi who serve their clients and communities with honesty and integrity."

Bailess concluded by saying, "While The Mississippi Bar is not directly involved in criminal proceedings, the Bar will swiftly deal with those who have pled guilty. With regard to those accused of wrongdoing, the Bar will follow normal disciplinary procedures while allowing the criminal justice system to work."

The Mississippi Bar's General Counsel, Adam Kilgore, added, "The Mississippi Bar takes very seriously its roll as a designated disciplinary agency of the Supreme Court of Mississippi. The attorney discipline process is regulated by the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar, as set forth by the Supreme Court of Mississippi. Under Rule 15 of those rules, the Bar's Office of General Counsel is prohibited from discussing specific cases until such time as they become public record by way of the attorney discipline process."