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ADA access, no metal detectors, and very
little parking. Rankin County is one of the
wealthiest and fastest growing counties in
the state. This building was long overdue.
We have as many as 250 cases a day, and now
it is easier for us to serve the people in our
county. There are also more waiting rooms
and ‘neutral ground’ areas for mediation.
I’m glad we have it, and we should all be
thankful for it.”
Daniel Cross, who serves as a Rankin
County supervisor for District Two, says the
building’s design has allowed it to encompass
the justice court, chancery court, and chancery
clerk offices. “That is a lot of different purposes,
but it is designed for that. The old building
just was not set up to meet today’s needs.
This building will serve the people of
Rankin County well. We spent a lot of
money, and before we did, we went to
each agency and talked with them about
their needs.”
Chancery Clerk Larry Swales’s office is
in the building. All his court records are
stored in there. “Before, there was no file
room, and we have records dating back to
the early 1900s,” says Swales. He also says he
is very thankful for the building. “We have
waited a long time for this. I am thankful to
the board of supervisors, and to the citizens
of Rankin County. There are great improvements
here, including more parking and
more courtrooms. This will allow us to do
our work more efficiently and better serve
our citizens.”
Judge Roberts says that he is proud of the
building. “When we have visiting dignitaries
or anyone who has business with the courts
to come to the building, they will look at the
new courthouse as an institution. It is a
symbol of sorts. The old one just did not
speak of formalism or project a serious
nature. This new building makes a strong
statement that this is a place of justice.”
Hometown RANKIN • 15