Question: When is an admitted or convicted felon no longerallowed to hold public office?

In Mississippi in general, and in Adams and Jefferson countiesin particular, the answer appears to be not until one finally hasbeen sentenced in court. A further lapse in logic allows the felonto run for re-election to the public office in which he committedthe crime.

Such are the cases in Natchez and Fayette, where Adams CountyCircuit Clerk Binky Vines has pleaded guilty to three counts ofembezzlement and Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Burnell Harris hasbeen convicted in federal court on nine counts of embezzlement,money laundering and tax evasion. And not only are both stillserving as clerks, but both led their Aug. 7 primary tickets intheir bids for re-election.

The reason both are still in office goes back about 12 years tosome legal rulings declaring a person cannot be removed from officeuntil he is convicted and sentenced.

In Vines’ case, even the convicted part may not hold water.

In his case, the judge withheld acceptance of the guilty pleaunder a state law allowing for nonadjudication and a clean recordprovided certain conditions are met. It’s conceivable, then, thatVines could never be removed and he would be free to seekadditional terms in office.

It’s understandable that these legal loopholes would be a sourceof great frustration for people like State Auditor Phil Bryant,whose office is responsible for investigating issues likecorruption by public officials. He’s not the only one who isjustified in feeling frustration over instances like the one inAdams County.

Citizens across Mississippi should be outraged at the prospectof a public official – who is tasked with overseeing public funds -getting caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar and thenbeing allowed to continue to watch said jar. This kind of injusticeneeds to be stopped and stopped now.

State lawmakers have said situations like Vines’ need to belooked at.

Appeal possibilities make situations like Harris’ a little moredifficult to determine a hard and fast path to removal from office.But in situations where an official pleads guilty, as Vines did,the path should be abundantly clear.

“I’m guilty” must mean “You’re gone.” Immediately. And norunning for office again.

If the law can’t send that message now, perhaps Adams County andJefferson County voters will on Aug. 28.