By Brad Greer

Judge Jay Westfaul of Batesville was elected President of the Mississippi Municipal Judges’ Association at the group’s annual convention held last week in Biloxi.

Of the 237 Municipal Courts in Mississippi, Westfaul was elected on the first ballot, and will serve a one-year team in leading the state’s Municipal judges.

Westfaul has served as a judge in Batesville’s Municipal Court for 24 years as well as in Courtland and Pope

He also has presided over numerous state committees and served in the past as a Youth Court Judge and Special Chancellor for Panola County.

He also chaired the Mississippi Supreme Court’s committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law.

Westfaul said he will have his work cut out for him due to new laws and criminal rules of procedure that have been enacted in recent years.

He will assist in ensuring that the judges throughout Mississippi are educated and aware of their new tasks.

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve Mississippi,” said Westfaul. I am thankful for all my friends all over the state and I thank the leaders and citizens of Batesville, Pope and Courtland for allowing me to serve as their judge.”