Edwin L. Pittman

Edwin Lloyd Pittman (born January 2, 1935) is an American jurist and politician. He served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi from 1989-2001 and Chief Justice from 2001-2004. He also served as the State's Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer. Pittman reached the rank of Brigadier General in the Mississippi National Guard

Edwin Pittman
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi
In office January 2001 – March 31, 2004
Preceded by	Lenore L. Prather
Succeeded by	Michael K. Randolph
Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi
In office 1989–2004
Attorney General of Mississippi
In office 1984–1988
Preceded by	William Allain
Succeeded by	Mike Moore
Personal details
Born	(1935-01-02) January 2, 1935 Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	BS, University of Southern Mississippi J.D. University of Mississippi

[1]

Early life and education

Pittman was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1935. He received his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1957 and his J.D. from the University of Mississippi in 1960.

Political career

Pittman was first elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 1964 and was reelected in 1968 from Forest County.[2] In 1976, he was elected as the State's Treasurer. In 1980, he was elected as Mississippi's Secretary of State. In 1984, he was elected Attorney General.

Pittman ran for the 1987 Democratic nomination for governor, finishing fifth.[2]

Judicial career

Pittman was first elected to the State Supreme Court in 1988 and reelected in 1996.[2]

Notable rulings

In 2000, Justice Pittman ruled that the courts are not in the position of determining the state flag. He wrote, "In this case, the NAACP failed to offer any proof that the flying of the state flag deprived any citizen of a constitutionally protected right."[3]

Family

Pittman is married to Virginia Lund Pittman and they are the parents of seven children.[4]

References

1. "Chief Justice Edwin L. Pittman announces retirement" (PDF). courts.ms.gov. March 8, 2004. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
2. Salter, Sid. "Chief justice has long track record of service - Clarksdale Press Register: Home". Pressregister.com. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
3. "Naacp Loses Ruling Over Mississippi State Flag". Chicago Tribune. May 5, 2000. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
4. "Judge profiles Law – Judicial Data Project". Judicial.mc.edu. Retrieved June 16, 2017.

Political offices
Preceded by Lenore L. Prather	Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court 2001–2004	Succeeded by Michael K. Randolph
Preceded by Joseph Ruble Griffin	Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court 1989–2001	Succeeded by became Chief Justice