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title: "Donna M. Barnes | KnowJudges"
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# Donna M. Barnes

Mississippi Court of Appeals · Chief Judge

## Profile

- Court: Mississippi Court of Appeals
- State: Mississippi
- Role: Chief Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- The Chief Judge of the Mississippi Court of Appeals, appointed in 2004, elected in 2006, 2010, and 2018, and serving since 2019 as the court’s first woman Chief Judge
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Mississippi, 2004-present
- Position: Chief Judge, Mississippi Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 2

### Education

- University of Mississippi School of Law — magna cum laude — J.D. (1985)
- University of Mississippi — B.A.

### Additional information

- Chief Judge: Since February 1, 2019 — first woman to hold this role
- July 26, 2004, by Governor Haley Barbour to a vacancy (Appointed).
- Official site: Mississippi Judiciary – Judge Donna M. Barnes State of Mississippi Judiciary
- Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation; former member of the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission and Judicial Advisory Study Committee

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic media coverage

Scope: statewide

Mississippi allows electronic media coverage of public judicial proceedings in appellate and trial courts of record, subject to the rules and presiding judge control.

Evidence excerpt: Electronic media coverage of public judicial proceedings shall be allowed in the appellate and trial courts of record in this state subject to the conditions below.

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### presiding judge discretion

Scope: statewide

The presiding Mississippi justice or judge may limit or terminate electronic coverage when necessary to protect rights, witnesses, dignity of the court, or orderly proceedings.

Evidence excerpt: The presiding justice or judge has the discretion to limit or terminate electronic coverage at any time during the proceedings

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### advance notice for media

Scope: statewide

Mississippi media representatives must provide advance notice for electronic or photographic coverage under the court rules.

Evidence excerpt: Rule 5 ... requires that media representatives give at least 48 hours

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf)
- [Mississippi Secretary of State Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7668/donna-m-barnes/)
- [Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7668/donna-m-barnes/)

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