Brad Touchstone
Brad Ashley Touchstone | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the 15th Circuit Court District of Mississippi | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Appointed by | Tate Reeves |
| County Court Judge of Lamar County | |
| In office January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2022 | |
| Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 101st district | |
| In office January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2018 | |
| County Prosecuting Attorney of Lamar County | |
| In office January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 19, 1979 Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Janice Burke Touchstone |
Brad Ashley Touchstone (born September 19, 1979) is an American attorney, jurist, and former state legislator from Mississippi. He serves as a judge of the 15th Circuit Court District, which includes Lamar, Pearl River, Marion, and Walthall counties. Touchstone previously served as County Prosecuting Attorney of Lamar County, in the Mississippi House of Representatives, and as County Court Judge of Lamar County.
Early life and education
[edit]Touchstone was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and raised in Lamar County.[1] He is a descendant of the Touchstone family that settled in the South Mississippi Pine Belt region in the 19th century.[2] Touchstone is related to former Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Gandy through the Touchstone family line.[3]
Touchstone earned an A.A. from Pearl River Community College, a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from Millsaps College, and a J.D. from the Mississippi College School of Law.
Legal and early public career
[edit]Touchstone began practicing law in 2009 in Hattiesburg, focusing on civil litigation and insurance defense.[4]
He was appointed County Prosecuting Attorney for Lamar County in December 2010 by the Lamar County Board of Supervisors.[5] He won election to the office in 2011 and served through 2015.[6]
Touchstone also served as City Attorney for Lumberton and as a public defender in the Lamar County Justice Court.
Legislative career
[edit]In January 2015, Touchstone announced his candidacy for the Mississippi House of Representatives while serving as County Prosecuting Attorney.[6] He was elected without opposition to represent District 101 as a Republican and served from 2016 to 2018.[1]
Judicial career
[edit]County Court Judge (2019–2022)
[edit]Touchstone was elected County Court Judge for Lamar County in 2018 and took office on January 1, 2019.[7] His duties included civil matters, youth court cases, and preliminary felony proceedings.
Circuit Court Judge (2023–present)
[edit]On December 22, 2022, Governor Tate Reeves appointed Touchstone to the 15th Circuit Court District.[4] His term began on January 1, 2023, and his investiture was held on January 27, 2023, at the Lamar County Courthouse.[8]
Touchstone has presided over felony and civil matters that have been reported in statewide news media.[9][10][11] In 2024, he handled the state’s first conviction under Parker’s Law for the sale of fentanyl resulting in death.[12]
State commissions and public service
[edit]Touchstone serves on the Mississippi Commission on Children's Justice, appointed in 2021 by the Mississippi Supreme Court.[13] He also serves on the Mississippi Opioid Settlement Advisory Council, which evaluates statewide opioid-abatement funding applications.[14] In 2023, he was elected chair of the Commission on a Uniform Youth Court System and Procedures.[15]
Personal life
[edit]Touchstone lives in Lamar County with his family. His wife, Janice Burke Touchstone, is a dentist.[1]
Electoral history
[edit]County Prosecuting Attorney
[edit]- 2011 – Elected County Prosecuting Attorney for Lamar County.
Mississippi House of Representatives
[edit]- 2015 – Elected without opposition to House District 101.
County Court Judge
[edit]- 2018 – Elected County Court Judge for Lamar County.
Circuit Court Judge
[edit]- 2023 – Unopposed in special election for the 15th Circuit Court District.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Brad Touchstone". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Touchstone family history". Sons of DeWitt Colony Texas. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b "Brad Touchstone career inspired by former MS Lt. Gov. Evelyn Gandy". Hattiesburg American. December 29, 2022. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b "Gov. Reeves appoints Judge Brad Touchstone as 15th Circuit Court District Judge". Magnolia Tribune. December 22, 2022. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Lamar supervisors appoint new county attorney". WDAM 7. December 9, 2010. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b "Lamar Co. attorney announces state house run". WDAM 7. January 12, 2015. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Touchstone sworn in as 15th District Circuit Court Judge". WDAM 7. January 28, 2023. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Investiture ceremony set for Judge Brad Touchstone" (Press release). Mississippi Judiciary. January 18, 2023. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b "Sumrall man sentenced to 75 years for sex crimes with child". WDAM 7. May 29, 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b "'Evil has a name and a face': Lamar Co. man sentenced to life in prison". WDAM 7. February 3, 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b "Jury finds man guilty on all charges in Lamar County". WDAM 7. September 13, 2023. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b "DA Kittrell, Judge Touchstone secure first conviction under Parker's Law". The Columbian Progress. August 7, 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Commission on Children's Justice". Mississippi Judiciary. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Circuit Court Judges Directory". Pearl River County Government. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Judge Brad Touchstone elected chair of Commission on a Uniform Youth Court System". MageeNews. September 9, 2023. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
External links
[edit]- [Mississippi Judiciary](https://courts.ms.gov)
- Brad Touchstone at Ballotpedia
