JACKSON, Miss. - Hinds County Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas has temporarily put the brakes on a section of recently enacted bill (HB 1020) that would expand law enforcement in the state's capital city. Thomas issued the temporary restraining order on H.B. 1020, less than two weeks after it was signed into law Gov. Tate Reeves. The order will be in place at least until he holds a hearing on the motions on May 10. The chancery court challenge was filed April 24 by the ACLU, Center for Justice and on behalf of three Jackson residents. "This court makes no findings that plaintiffs are entitled to relief," Judge Thomas wrote. "Instead, this court specifically finds that it is unable to determine the likelihood of success on the merits without a full hearing,” he wrote on the order, published May 4. HB 1020 calls on the chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court to appoint four judges to the Seventh District Circuit by May 8. The judges, under the statute, would serve nearly a full 4-year term in office, according to court records. (Source: WLBT 05/04/23) Judge issues temporary restraining order blocking implementation of H.B. 1020 (wlox.com)