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Judge Virginia Carlton grew up in a construction family and graduated from high school in Columbia, Mississippi. She attended the University of Mississippi and received a BBA degree in 1986. She graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1989 where she participated in the moot court board, was a member of the National Moot Court Team, and the Law Journal. Judge Carlton formerly served in the Mississippi Legislature in House District 100 of the Mississippi House of Representatives, and is a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves where she serves as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer. For over sixteen years Judge Carlton has served in our nation’s military on active duty with the Army from 1990 until 1998 in Fort Benning, Georgia, Germany, Hawaii and Fort Polk, Louisiana, leaving active duty with the rank of Major. In 1998 she entered the U.S. Army Reserves and currently serves as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 3rd Personnel Command in Jackson. During her JAG career, she has served as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and legal service officer. While on duty in Hawaii, she served as a special Assistant US Attorney for the Army. In 2002, Judge Carlton graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; after graduation, she was invited to serve as an instructor for the college. Judge Carlton has been awarded four Meritorious Service Medals, two Overseas Service Ribbons, three Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. Upon graduation from law school, Judge Carlton served as a law clerk for Justice Joel Blass of the Mississippi Supreme Court. After leaving active duty with the U.S. Army JAG Corps, she served Marion County as a public defender and later was an Assistant District Attorney in the 15th Circuit District. She worked with the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center in McComb as an instructor providing child abuse investigation training to social workers and law enforcement officers. As a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, she serves on the Military Affairs and the Bench-to-Bar Committee. In the Mississippi Legislature, she served on several House Committees. Judge Carlton is a member of Columbia’s Junior Auxiliary, Golden Acres Garden Club, Lions Club and Rotary, as well as an active member of her three children’s school support organizations. She serves as a board member of the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department and is an advisory board member of the Marion County Boys and Girls Club. In addition, she is an active member of the Reserve Officers Association, Military Officers Association, and the National Rifle Association. Judge Carlton is married to Dr. Scott Carlton, a former Special Forces Medic and Army doctor. They have three children, Rachel, Harrison Read, and Phoebe. | 