Mississippi judge reprimanded over Pledge jailing

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi judge will be publicly reprimanded for jailing an attorney who refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in his courtroom.

Chancellor Talmadge Littlejohn of New Albany will also be fined $100.

On Thursday, the Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed the recommendation from the state Commission on Judicial Performance.

According to the judicial commission, Littlejohn acknowledged violating attorney Danny Lampley’s rights in October with the contempt of court order. He says he now tells everyone that the pledge is voluntary.

Littlejohn was re-elected last year without opposition to the 1st Chancery District, which includes Alcorn, Tishomingo, Pontotoc, Lee, Itawamba, Monroe and Union counties.

A message left at Littlejohn’s office for comment wasn’t immediately returned.