The Modern Political Archives at the University of Mississippi is pleased to announce the opening of the Armis Hawkins Collection. Hawkins won election to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1980 and acquired a reputation as a principled and independent jurist, a prolific author of opinions, and an excellent leader. In 1992, he wrote the majority opinion that permitted the state to retry Byron de la Beckwith for the 1963 murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
Hawkins served as Chief Justice from 1993 until his retirement in 1995. During this period, he guided the state judiciary through significant reforms with the creation of an appellate system and the Administration Office of the Court.
The forty-three boxes comprising the collection contain material related to Hawkins' tenure on the bench, including case files, administration & professional files, subject files, and personal files. Researchers will particularly value notes taken by the judge during private court deliberations. The finding aid for the Armis Hawkins Collection is available here.
Hat tip: H-Law
