FAQ’s
Justice Court deals with civil cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, and some traffic offenses. For example, landlord/ tenant disputes such as eviction or medical expenses or other collection-related cases.
The limit in Justice Court is $3,500.
The fee varies based on the county.
You will need the full business name and the name of their agent of process.
You can ask the business or call the secretary of state at (800) 256-3494. Secretary of State
If the defendant was properly served and fails to appear, the judge can give you a default judgment.
Ten days after court, you can flag the defendant’s credit or garnish wages. You can check with the civil clerk for details on these processes.
The court will notify you of the problem, and allow you time to get a new address for service. This process may require an additional fee.
To obtain a continuance contact the justice court where your case is being heard.
No. The court cannot recommend or refer you to an attorney
No. However, if you choose not to hire an attorney, you will be required to sign a form waiving your right to council.
Contact your county sheriff’s office to find out if you have a bench warrant.
Yes. You can file a case only if the incident took place within the county limits. If the incident took place in city limits, you will file in that city court.
You can attend Driving School as long as you have no prior tickets in the last three years and the judge approves it.
You may file an appeal within 30 days on the judge’s ruling.
No, all court proceedings must take place in open court to the public.
No, this is ex parte communication and is not allowed in the court system.
Your driver’s license will be suspended and the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest.
You should dress as if you’re going to a job interview, and be sure to avoid clothing that looks too casual. You can check out this video (How to Dress for Court) for more information.
More information can be found here (Court Prep) for information on how to prepare for court.
Common Legal Terms can be found here (Legal Terms).
Yes, we have a series of eviction videos here (Eviction Videos).
Yes, there is an expungement program offered by Mississippi Center for Justice. More information can be found here (https://mscenterforjustice.org/work/expungement/).
A list of legal aid providers can be found on the website here (MS Legal Service Providers)
Justice Court forms can be found here (Legal Forms).