HERNANDO, Miss. — Longtime DeSoto County Justice Court judge Karen Sanders plans to retire from the bench effective Jan. 1, ending a judicial career of more than 25 years, according to a report published Thursday by The Daily Memphian.
Sanders notified the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors of her plans in a letter the board received Tuesday, Oct. 27. The letter itself is dated Oct. 1, and the report says Sanders first raised the idea of stepping down in early spring.
Retirement Comes Nearly a Year After DUI Arrest
The letter does not give a reason for the retirement, and it does not mention Sanders’ arrest last December. Hernando police arrested Sanders on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, after a traffic stop shortly before 6 p.m. She was charged with driving under the influence (first offense) and careless driving and was booked into the DeSoto County Jail.
Sanders returned to the bench about nine days after the arrest and continued hearing cases. She was given a court date of April 1, 2026, on the charges. Any criminal charge is an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
What the DeSoto County Justice Court Judge Does
Sanders represents District 5, which covers the southern part of DeSoto County. Records list her current term as running through Dec. 31, 2027, so her retirement will leave the seat open with about a year left in the term.
Justice Court is the county court most residents are likely to deal with directly. Its judges handle:
Small claims civil cases of $3,500 or less
Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic offenses written by the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and the Mississippi Highway Patrol
Arrest and search warrants, bond settings, and preliminary hearings in felony cases
Temporary protective orders
What Happens Next
County officials have not yet said publicly how the District 5 seat will be filled once Sanders leaves. DeSoto County News will update this story when the Board of Supervisors or the county announces how the vacancy will be handled.
