Griffis

    Long-time Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Kenny Griffis officially kicked off his candidacy to run for the Mississippi Supreme Court, District 1, Place 3 this week.

    The 54-year Meridian native has served on the Court of Appeals for the last 13 years and is a presiding judge who has decided more than 8,000 cases and has written more than 800 majority opinions.

    Griffis faces incumbent Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens in the Nov. 8 election.

    Griffis said sitting on the state’s highest court has been a dream for some time.

    “I’ve always had a desire to serve on the Supreme Court,” he said. “I began my law practice here in Meridian and have always been interested in how the court decides cases that determine the law. Those decisions affect us every day. I expect a very close race. We’re just at the beginning “

    Griffis said he honed his skills serving on the Court of Appeals.

    “For me serving the last 13 years on the Court of Appeals, I have a proven record of being a tough, fair and honest judge who decides cases based on the law and the facts,” Griffis said. “Our Supreme Court requires us to have the respect of the citizens. Our decisions are in writing and their used in courts throughout the state every day.”

    Fairness to all parties concerned is the ultimate aim for Supreme Court justices, according to Griffis.

    “Every day we see civil and criminal matters from the most gruesome murder to who gets child custody of your children,” Griffis said. “It’s important that in these cases we make sure all rights are protected, including the community’s and victims’ rights. There are a lot of laws the Legislature passes that have to be interpreted and they have to be balanced.”

    Griffis said he will enforce the law as the citizens want.

    “What most people want and expect are the rules are going to be properly followed and everyone is going to get a fair shake,” Griffis said.

    If he wins the seat, Griffis would be the first Supreme Court Justice from Lauderdale County since Chief Justice Robert Gillespie left the bench in 1977.

    Griffis grew up at the Masonic Home, now Hope Village. His late mother, Clarice, was a school nurse in the Meridian Public School System. His father, Pete, was superintendent of the Masonic Home. A sister, Clair Huff, is a teacher at Poplar Springs Elementary School.

    Griffis, who began his law practice at Bourdeaux and Jones, graduated from the University of Mississippi with degrees in Accountancy and Law. He briefly practiced as a certified public accountant.

    He and his wife Mary Helen McCarty Griffis are the parents of five sons. They are active members of Christ United Methodist Church and live in Ridgeland.