Whitney Downard / The Meridian StarCharles Wright Jr. will fill a vacancy in the Tenth Circuit Court, beginning on Oct. 30. 

Long-time Meridian attorney Charles Wright Jr. has long wanted to serve as a Tenth Circuit Court judge, and though the circumstances aren’t ideal, he will follow in the steps of his mentor and fill a vacant judgeship on Oct. 30.

“I’ll hit the job running,” said Wright, who will work with Judge Lester Williamson Jr. and impanel a Lauderdale County grand jury next Monday. Governor Phil Bryant appointed Wright to the position on Tuesday.

Wright, 68, will fill the vacancy left after the death of Judge Justin Cobb, who died unexpectedly on Sept. 9, his 43 birthday.

“I always had an ambition to serve as a circuit judge,” Wright said. “Even though the circumstances are horrific with the death of Justin Cobb.”

Following Cobb’s death, Wright told The Star he admired Cobb and said Cobb was highly qualified for the position. 

Wright said he intended to run for the position in November of 2018, following this temporary appointment. In his new position, Wright will have the chance to work with his former law firm partner, Williamson. 

“We were partners for over 23 years and never had a cross word,” Wright said. “I think I would enjoy it.”

Wright’s legal career began in Mississippi before he graduated from law school. In his final semester at the University of Mississippi’s School of Law, he worked as a legal intern under then District Attorney Henry Palmer. 

“I tried my first case while I was in law school,” said Wright, who graduated in 1976. “And I came back here (in 1978), I married a Meridian girl and we’re still together.”

Together, Wright and Rebecca Snowden Wright have three children: Snowden, 36; Rebecca Taff, 33; and Parker, 27. 

In 1978, Wright worked under Palmer again, this time as an assistant district attorney. In 1979, Wright became the youngest district attorney in the state when Palmer ran for the Tenth Circuit Court position and Wright ran for district attorney.

After 10 years as district attorney, Wright, Palmer and Williamson opened a law firm in 1988.

“If you’re a prosecutor or defense lawyer, you advocate for your client,” Wright said about the difference between being a judge and an attorney. “A judge is not an advocate for either side, he is there to ensure that the law is correctly followed and that everyone gets a fair disposition.”

Wright, who also farms, comes from a family of farmers in Yazoo County, where his mother was a school teacher. He has many agrarian-themed paintings in his office, at 1208 22nd Ave. By law, Wright has six months to close out his current cases. His daughter and fellow University of Mississippi graduate, Rebecca Taff Wright, will take over the practice.

In addition to his years of experience, Wright had the honor to be named one of the Best Lawyers in America, the publication with the same name is a peer-reviewed publication that first published in 1983. Best Lawyers in America featured Wright as the best in criminal defense, white collar and general practice and in plaintiff personal injury.

“You have to be fair and impartial to any individual that appears in Circuit Court and I intend to be that,” Wright said. “Circuit Court handles all criminal felony cases, which is my expertise and I can use my trial experience to ensure that justice is done fairly and impartially.”