Clerk of Court Morris Kickoff

Huge Turnout for Kickoff Event for Melissa Cumpton Morris

RICHLAND PARISH CLERK OF COURT MELISSA CUMPTON

Morris kicked off her campaign on April 27, 2023, at the Planters Warehouse in Rayville, Louisiana. Melissa is running for the unexpired term ending on June 30, 2024, as well as the next full term. A huge crowd turned out in support of Melissa to enjoy the food, fellowship and music.

Education and Experience

Melissa is a graduate of Rayville High School. She earned her first degree at NLU and her Masters in Education at ULM. In 1998, Melissa began teaching at Mangham Junior High and went on to teach at Rayville Elementary from 1999-2000 and from 2008-2011. Melissa became a Series 7 and a Series 63 licensed Life and Health Certified Financial Assistant for A.G. Edwards-Morgan Keegan from 2000-2008. She taught at Start Elementary from 2011-2018.

In 2019, the Richland Parish Clerk of Court, the late Stacie Williamson, named Melissa Cumpton Morris as the Chief Deputy of the Richland Parish Clerk of Court.

Because Melissa was a certified Chief Deputy, she was commissioned on January 26, 2023, as the Clerk of Court, due to the unfortunate passing of Stacie Williamson.

Richland Parish Clerk of Court Office Responsibilities

The role of the Richland Parish Clerk of Court office is to maintain, safeguard and preserve the official records of Richland Parish. This includes processing and recording all land records, UCC documents, civil and criminal proceedings, marriage licenses, protective orders, adoptions, military discharge records, and other miscellaneous legal filings. In addition, the office oversees all elections, election equipment and election personnel.

The Police Jury by law provides office space but operation of the Clerk of Court Office is 100% funded by fees and court costs the office collects from customers who utilize its services. Like other government agencies, they are answerable to the Louisiana State Legislative Auditor. But unlike other government agencies, the Clerk’s Office does not receive any federal, state, or local funding. For this reason, one of the Clerk’s responsibilities is to manage the finances of the office just as any business owner must do. Fees are set by the legislature.

Melissa Cumpton Morris Is Proud of Updates and Improvements

Melissa said, “I am honored to serve the people as the Richland Parish Clerk of Court.”

“With the help of our experienced team at the Clerk’s Office, I pledge to continue to work to provide the level of service that has been established by Stacie.”

“The late Clerk of Court Stacie Williamson taught me a great deal about how the Clerk’s Office should be run effectively. She made it possible for me to receive the continuing education needed to become a certified Chief Deputy and now Clerk of Court.”

“I’m proud of the updates and improvements we have made in the Clerk of Court Office.”

Clerk’s Office Upgrades and Improvements

• E-filing in civil and criminal is now available. This allows online filings into a civil suit or criminal matter from the office or home

• E-recording allows any mortgages or conveyance records to be made online from the office or home

• The website has been updated with helpful links and forms

• Computer system updated with grant from Louisiana Supreme Court

• New computers, monitors, server, scanners, printers in the Clerk’s Office and the courtroom

• Uploaded more land records and marriage license online with grant from the Louisiana Clerks Remote Access Authority, which makes it possible for attorneys and citizens to pull up records online and print them from office or home

• Developed a great working relationship with sheriff’s office, DA, IDB, attorney’s offices, tax assessor’s office, and clerks’ offices across the entire state

• Held UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE workshops in Richland for surrounding clerk of court office employees to help them stay abreast of new procedures

• Marriage license applications can be filed out online

• Now taking credit card payments in the Clerk’s Office or over the phone to provide convenience for citizens

• Now with the Clerk Connect you can search any participating Clerk of Court Office records at any Court House in any parish in the state.

Faith and Family

Jason and Melissa Cumpton Morris have two children, Parker and Charles. They are members of Start Baptist Church.

Melissa is the daughter of Alice and the late Burgess Cumpton. Family photo above - left to right: Cooper Sullivan, Charles Bickham, Peyton Cumpton, Jyssica Sullivan, Parker Morris, Alice Cumpton, Jason Morris, Charles Morris, Melissa Morris, Leo Cumpton and Shauna Cumpton