HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - After nearly four decades as an attorney, 68-year-old Jerry Evans is taking the bench as the first full-time City Court judge in Hattiesburg.

He tells The Hattiesburg American (http://hatne.ws/Pw8njD ) that changing from three part-time judges to one full-time judge should at least streamline scheduling and standardize procedures.

He will take the bench Monday, after two weeks observing the court.

The changes were approved after police said investigators found evidence that court workers improperly destroyed warrants and were rewarded for dismissing tickets, fines and warrants. Forrest-Perry County District Attorney Patricia Burchell says that investigation is continuing.

Evans says he will hold off on drastic changes until the court gets public safety software recently installed by police.

But he says he will make some proposals at the next City Council meeting.

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