DeSoto County Justice Court Judge Arrested on DUI Charge

HERNANDO, Miss. — A DeSoto County Justice Court judge faces charges of driving under the influence following a traffic stop Saturday evening.

Karen Sanders, the Justice Court judge representing District 5, was arrested by the Hernando Police Department on Saturday, Dec. 6. According to police reports, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Sanders at approximately 5:50 p.m.

Following the stop, Sanders was taken into custody on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence (first offense) and careless driving. She was booked into the DeSoto County Jail.

Officials stated Sanders has been issued a court date of April 1, 2026.

Sanders represents District 5, which encompasses the southern portion of DeSoto County. As a Justice Court judge, her jurisdictional duties include overseeing small civil claims involving amounts of $3,500 or less, misdemeanor criminal cases, and traffic offenses. Justice Court judges also hold the authority to sign arrest and search warrants, set bonds, conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases, and issue temporary protective orders.

The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest, though no further details regarding the circumstances of the traffic stop were immediately released.