DeSoto Co. Justice Court judge was driving drunk during arrest, court docs show
HERNANDO, Miss. (WMC) - A DeSoto County court judge has been arrested, according to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office.
Karen Sanders, a Justice Court judge for DeSoto County, was arrested and charged with DUI and careless driving.
The Hernando Police Department reports that she was arrested during a traffic stop Saturday evening just before 6 p.m. in Hernando along West Valley Street.
According to court documents, Sanders appeared be under the influence of alcohol.
According to DeSoto County’s website, Judge Sanders covers District 5, the southern portion of the county.
The Justice Court has jurisdiction over small civil claims involving amounts of $3,500 or less, misdemeanor cases, and traffic offenses. Justice Court judges also sign warrants, set bonds, conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases, and issue temporary protective and search warrants.
The sheriff’s office says a Hernando judge has since released Sanders from the DeSoto County Jail on her own recognizance.
Her court date is set for April 1, 2026.
On Tuesday, Action News 5 followed back up to Hernando police, asking for a copy of the incident report and an interview with Chief Shane Ellis. We were told that he was currently out of the office.
Action News 5 also followed back up with DeSoto County Justice Court on Sanders’ employment. We were told that Sanders will continue judging cases unless told otherwise. She returns to the bench next Monday, December 15.
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