Five questions with Justice Mike Randolph

Justice Mike Randolph was appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court by Gov. Haley Barbour on April 23, 2004 to fill the unexpired term of former Chief Justice Ed Pittman. He is a member of Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, where he serves as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

Justice Randolph is married to Kathy Webb Randolph, formerly of Ocean Springs. He has three children, Christopher Randolph, Joshua Randolph, and Abigail Randolph Tyner, and two grandchildren, Hayden Elizabeth Tyner and Christopher Ian Randolph.

Randolph is running in the Southern Supreme Court District (District 2 Southern Position 3) against Court of Appeals Judge Joe Lee.

How has the atmosphere changed since you've been on the court?
All members of the court agree that the atmosphere is completely different in a positive way. Publicly, Chief Justice Jim Smith has stated that the court is the most congenial court that he’s been a member of for the 12 ½ years he has served. He has also been quoted “The Supreme Court is hard working and vibrant.” The best evidence of the renewed spirit is the increase in the number of decisions by the Court. I can assure you that the business of the Court is conducted in a meaningful and respectful way.

What do you do with your spare time?
My spare time has been limited since I have been on the Court due to the Chief Justice requesting that the backlog of cases be eliminated. I’ve worked until 11PM and got up as early as 3AM the next day to work on the court’s business. On Labor Day, Justices Carlson, Waller, and I were all working to ensure the Court’s work was published in a timely manner. Many of the Justices can be seen working late into the evening and on weekends. It has been quite a challenge to find time to campaign. When I do have a minute, I enjoy family time with my wife, children and grandchildren.

Tell us about your service in the military.
I volunteered for the draft in January 1966. I was a platoon leader in basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC, and then received orders to Ft. Rucker, AL. I was assigned to Keesler Air Force base where I attended Air Traffic Control school. Upon completion, I was certified by the FAA to be an air traffic controller. My next assignment was in the First Infantry Division also known as the “Big Red One”. I was stationed in Phu Loi, Vietnam. I was decorated for heroism during that tour and honorably discharged upon my arrival back in the United States. My first year in law school I joined the U.S. Navy Reserve. Upon completion of law school I went on active duty in the United States Navy JAGC and received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1975.

What’s the most pressing issue facing our judiciary?
The most pressing issue is to return to the doctrine stare decisis (To stand by that which is decided.) which affords the public, attorneys, and litigants predictability. The courts should adjudicate, not legislate. Another special issue to our Supreme Court is to restore its rightful heritage of integrity, honor, trust; and to eliminate the perception of unequal or preferential treatment to special interest groups. The present composition of this Court is civil and cordial. All people will receive fair and impartial treatment without favoritism to anyone.

What is a typical day like for a Supreme Court justice?
The typical day starts early in the morning. My judicial assistant prepares priority lists. I meet with my law clerks to receive input from their research and comments. I spend a considerable amount of time authoring, reviewing, and revising opinions. We also have a staff meeting each afternoon to check on the status of all cases. When we have panel meetings, which is a three judge panel, we meet to ensure the law is followed in every case. On days the full court meets (en banc) we review each others recommended opinions and discuss the laws and facts of each particular case. To prepare for oral arguments we review the entire record, as I do in all my cases, and prepare questions for the attorney’s. There is not typical day on the campaign trail. They all start early in the morning and end late at night. We usually start most mornings at breakfast around the district and end up at home after evening events around 11 p.m. We travel a lot, which has give me the opportunity to meet so many exceptional people. It’s a long way from Bay St. Louis to Bay Springs, from Pascagoula to Pachuta, and from Natchez to Necaise Crossing, but I am visiting every county in my district.

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