Bryan announces candidacy

Published 6:28 pm Tuesday, September 26, 2006

I am Manya Creel Bryan and I would like to formally announce my candidacy for Circuit Court Judge Place Two in the 15th Circuit Court District.

Judge Eubanks is not running for re-election, and I am running for his vacant position. The district is composed of Pearl River, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Marion and Lamar counties. Putting justice first will be my goal as Circuit Court Judge.

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned my Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where I was honored by being selected as associate editor of the Mississippi Law Journal. Upon graduation from law school, I worked at the Mississippi Supreme Court as a law clerk. During my 15-year legal career, I have practiced law in Circuit Court with experience as a felony prosecutor, a criminal defense attorney and civil attorney.

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As an Assistant District Attorney, for 11 years, I have prosecuted and taken to trial countless serious felony crimes in Marion, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lamar and Pearl River counties, including crimes of murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, kidnaping, child molestation and drug sales. Additionally, I have litigated numerous civil drug forfeitures. While in private practice, I practiced criminal defense law and civil law in Circuit Court and Chancery Court.

My trial experience is a key factor in this election. In order to preside over a court room as a circuit judge, that person must be familiar with procedure, the rules and the law. Courtroom order and procedure is most important in the justice system, for without it our justice system would become disorderly and chaotic. My many years of trial experience in circuit court have instilled in me court room procedure, the rules and the law.

Currently, I serve as a faculty member at the National District Attorneys Advocacy Center located at the University of South Carolina. At the center, I teach other prosecutors from across the United States trial tactics and trial procedure. I am also a mock trial coach for the award-winning Picayune Memorial High School forensic team.

I am married to Charles Clark Bryan, Jr., and have two sons, Tanner and Connor Bryan. We attend 1st Baptist Church of Picayune where I teach the four-year-old Sunday School class. My family has lived in Pearl River County for more than five generations.

My qualifications and experience make me the best candidate for Circuit Court Judge. Please vote for Manya Creel Bryan Circuit Court Judge Place Two on Tuesday, Nov. 7.