City Council Gets Lessons in Court, Crime Procedures

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Judges must consider many factors when setting bail bonds and can’t play politics with them or use them as punishment for crime suspects.

That was the message Tuesday night as two Columbus city judges and police had a spirited hour-long debate about the process. The issue arose last week when Mayor Robert Smith and Police Chief Tony Carleton privately criticized part-time city Judge Marc Amos for setting a $7,500 bond for a suspect in fatal hit and run.

During a closed session with council members, Amos, Carleton and Judge Nicole Clinkscales discussed the law and communication between the police and the courts.

The mayor even came armed with a stack of cases he had questions about. But in the end, most council members said they got their concerns answered.