HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - The Hattiesburg City Council has appointed Jerry Evans the city's new municipal judge.

The Hattiesburg American reports (http://hatne.ws/RAl6iR ) the council approved Evans as city court judge during a special meeting Tuesday by a 3-1 vote.

Evans, who has previously served as Hattiesburg's city attorney, will take over the court Nov. 6 after the temporary appointments of judges Carol Jones and Jonathan Farris come to an end.

In the meantime, he will observe court proceedings.

Hattiesburg's municipal court system has drawn fire ever since an internal Hattiesburg Police Department investigation found evidence of court employees improperly destroying warrants and receiving rewards for dismissing tickets, fines and warrants, among other acts of unethical behavior.

Information from: The Hattiesburg American, http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com

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