Joe Dale Walker

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Joe Dale Walker is a judge for the 13th Chancery District of Mississippi. The 13th District serves Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties. His current term expires in 2014.

2010 election

Walker was re-elected after running unopposed. ^[1]

Main article: Mississippi judicial elections, 2010

Homeschooling Order

On March 23, 2011, Judge Walker ordered school attendance officers to provide him with the names and addresses of homeschoolers. Upon service of the order these officers contacted homeschooling families in their respective districts informing them of the judge’s order. Families were asked to notify the attendance officer as to whether they intended to sue to challenge Walker's order. At least one homeschooling advocacy group responded with a lawsuit. The Home School Legal Defense Association has stated "at this point we do not know why Judge Walker is seeking this information, but we believe it is an inappropriate use of judicial power. There is no case before the court that gave rise to the issuance of this order. It appears to be simply information that the judge would like to have." ^[2]

More details emerge

It's been determined that Judge Walker sought the information of homeschooled children in the district to determine which parents are attempting to get around school attendance laws. Still, the Mississippi Supreme Court has become involved, staying Walker's order and demanding to know what authority he had to request such information from the beginning. ^[3]

Order vacated

In late April, the Mississippi Supreme Court vacated Walker's order to collect the names and addresses of homeschoolers. ^[4]

External links

• The New American, "Mississippi Judge Goes Fishing for Home-schoolers," April 14, 2011

References