Four special judges have been appointed in Mississippi to handle a backlog of cases caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Imani Khayyam

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Four special judges have been appointed in Mississippi to handle a backlog of cases caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Mike Randolph said the judges will help out at the Hinds Chancery Court and Hinds County Court, both in Jackson.

Randolph said more special judges are expected to be appointed to temporarily assist judges in districts statewide. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 cases have been postponed as a result of COVID-19, he said.

Retired Hinds County Chancery Judges Patricia D. Wise of Jackson and William H. Singletary of Clinton were appointed to assist the four chancellors of the Hinds Chancery Court. Jurist in Residence John N. Hudson of Natchez will help recently appointed Hinds County Court Judge Carlyn M. Hicks in Youth Court and former Hinds County Court Judge James D. Bell of Jackson was appointed to assist Hinds County Court Judge LaRita Cooper-Stokes.

Special judges will be paid with $2.5 million in funds provided by the CARES Act and are available through Dec. 30.