Judges demand court clerk explain why he’s not filing records properly

Published 9:12 am Monday, October 21, 2019

Four Mississippi judges say a Stone County court clerk hasn’t filed sentencing, probation and commitment orders in at least 36 cases.

The Sun Herald of Biloxi reports the circuit judges have ordered Jeffery O’Neal to appear in court Tuesday and explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt.

This isn’t the first time O’Neal has been ordered to appear in court to answer for missing documents.

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He appeared in court in June for failing to file annual financial reports with the state that showed his office’s cash flow.

Circuit court clerk salaries are paid from collected cash. The case was dismissed and O’Neal avoided a contempt charge after promising to catch up on the delayed filings.

The newspaper says O’Neal didn’t respond to a phone call.