Courts
Hon. Robert M. Logan, Jr.
2nd Chancery District Court Judge
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 58
Newton, MS 39345
(601) 627-0154 phone
(601) 900-4605 fax
Court Administrator:
Stacie Shoemaker
601-627-0154
Court Reporter:
Tamera Fulgham
Lillous Ann Shoemaker
Lunacy and Youth Court Referee Judge
Bryan Mayo
Family Master and DHS Judge
205 E Church St, Newton, MS 39345
601-683-7888
Circuit Court - District 13
Cases Include:
- Civil actions over $75,000
- Misdemeanors
- Bastardy, felonies
- Civil action and criminal appeals from County Court
Mississippi has 22 Circuit Court Districts with 49 judges presiding therein. Districts, created by the legislature and/or the federal courts, vary considerably as to size, population and configuration. The Circuit Court tries felony criminal cases (as well as misdemeanors on appeal) and civil actions involving issues of $2,500 and above. Appeals from the Circuit Courts are to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Juries are widely used in the Circuit Court, with a unanimous vote of 12 required for a criminal conviction, but only 9 of 12 required for a decision in a civil proceeding. The Circuit Court with all its attendant costs is generally the most expensive court in a county, but its work is too important to be compromised or sacrificed, and its work must be supported at an efficient and operable level. While it is valuable to continually study the courts and seek improvement therein, it is noted that the alternative to no courts is not acceptable in a civilized society.
Requirements for Circuit Court Judge:
- Civil actions over $75,000
- Misdemeanors
- Bastardy, felonies
- Civil action and criminal appeals from County Court
Hon. Matthew G. Sullivan
13th Circuit Court District Place 1: Circuit Court Judge
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 545
Raleigh, MS 39153
(601) 782-4413 phone
http://www.mscircuit13.com/
Court Administrator:
Judy Herrington
(601) 782-4413 phone
Staff Attorney:
Ray Therrell
P.O. Box 861
Raleigh, MS39153
(601) 782-9999 phone
Court Reporter:
Katelyn Berch
620 2nd Ave NW
Magee, MS 39111
(601) 382-8222
Hon. Stanley A. Sorey
13th Circuit Court District Place 2: Circuit Court Judge
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 861
Raleigh, MS 39153
(601) 782-9999 phone
http://www.mscircuit13.com/
Court Administrator:
Darlene Therrell
(601) 782-9999 phone
Staff Attorney:
Ray Therrell
(601) 782-9999 phone
Court Reporter:
Kimberly Ulmer
P.O. Box 126
Raleigh, MS 39153
(601) 479-0930
Justice Court
Cases Include:
- Civil actions under $2,500
- Misdemeanors
- Felony preliminaries
- Marriage ceremonies
- Highway patrol citations
- Fish and Wildlife citations
- Appeals from Justice (and Municipal) Court
Jasper County Justice Court has jurisdiction over all actions for the recovery of debts or damages as well as personal property, up to $2,500. Clients file affidavits in Justice Court to recover property to settle debts, or to seek relief from disputes over family matters or issues involving neighbors and others.
Justice Court works cooperatively with the Public Service Commissioner and received monies resulting from periodic vehicle inspection roadblocks.
The officers of the court consist of Justice Court Clerk, or Court Administrator, 12 deputy clerks, a bailiff and four judges. Process papers, subpoenas, and warrants are served by Constables who are elected officials.A 1984 statute by the Mississippi Legislature requiring a competent number of justice court judges in each county eliminated the Justice of the Peace System and established the present Justice Court System.
Hon. Jacqueline Barnett
Justice Court Judge-District 1
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 39
Paulding, MS 39348
(601) 727-2247 phone
(601) 727-3469 fax
Hon. Marvin Jones
Justice Court Judge-District 2
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 1054
Bay Springs, MS 39422
(601) 764-2065 phone
(601) 764-3402 fax
Justice Court Clerks
Hope McCullum
Justice Court Clerk
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 1054
Bay Springs, MS 39422
(601) 764-2065 phone
(601) 764-3402 fax
Prosecuting Attorney
The Prosecuting Attorney is responsible for prosecuting cases that occur within the county but outside any incorporated areas.
- Felony investigations and preliminary hearings
- County court criminal cases and those appealed to the circuit court
- Misdemeanors
In cooperation/assistance with the District Attorney:
- Criminal and civil cases in which the state, county or any municipality within the county has interest
- Misdemeanors, youth court proceedings and other cases not specifically granted to DA
- Appear on behalf of the DA if designated to do so
Joseph "JoJo" Sims, Esq.
Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 1252
Bay Springs, MS 39422
(601) 782-4497 phone
(601) 764-4499 fax
District Attorney
Prosecution of all Felony Cases
Cases on the trial docket can range from shoplifting to capital murder.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:(1) It shall be the duty of the district attorney to represent the state in all matters coming before the grand juries of the counties within his district and to appear in the circuit courts and prosecute for the state in his district all criminal prosecutions and all civil cases in which the state or any county within his district may be interested; but if two (2) or more counties are adversely interested, the district attorney shall not represent either. Any district attorney may also institute and prosecute to final judgment or decree any case in the name of the state against any person or corporation for any violation of the constitution or the laws of this state, in order to enforce any penalties, fines or forfeitures imposed by law in any court of his district having jurisdiction, with like effect as if the suit was instituted by the attorney general.
(2) The district attorney may transfer any case handled by him to a county prosecuting attorney when charges in such case no longer constitute a felony.
(3) The validity of any judgment or sentence shall not be affected by the division of jurisdiction under this section, and no judgment or sentence may be reversed or modified upon the basis that the case was not processed according to this section.
(4) A county prosecuting attorney or municipal prosecuting attorney may be designated by the district attorney to appear on behalf of the district attorney pursuant to an agreement relating to appearances in certain courts or proceedings in the county of the county prosecuting attorney or in the municipality of the municipal prosecuting attorney. Such agreement shall be filed with the circuit court clerk of any county where such agreement shall be operative. Such agreement shall be binding upon the district attorney and county prosecuting attorney or municipal prosecuting attorney until dissolved by either of them in writing upon five (5) days’ notice.
(5) Where any statute of this state confers a jurisdiction, responsibility, duty, privilege or power upon a county attorney or county prosecuting attorney, either solely, jointly or alternatively with a district attorney, such county prosecuting attorney shall be responsible for the prosecution, handling, appearance, disposition or other duty conferred by such statute. Any such provision shall not be construed to bestow such responsibility, jurisdiction or power upon the district attorney where there is no elected county prosecuting attorney, and any such matter shall be handled pursuant to Section 19-3-49, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(6) The district attorney or his designated assistant, or the county prosecuting attorney or his designated assistant, shall assist the attorney general in appeals from his district to the Mississippi Supreme Court and in other post judgment proceedings, and shall appear for oral argument before the supreme court when directed by the supreme court.
(7) The several district attorneys shall submit reports of revenues and expenditures and shall submit budget requests as required for state general fund agencies. For purposes of budget control, the several offices of district attorney shall be considered general fund agencies and the budget and accounts of the several offices, including salaries, travel expenses, office expenses and any other expenditures or revenues, shall be consolidated for all districts as far as such consolidation is practical. All revenue or funds allocated or expended by a district attorney, whether such funds are appropriated from state funds, or whether such funds are received from county funds, grants or otherwise, shall be reported to the legislative budget office.
Chris D. Hennis
District Attorney 13th Circuit Court District
Jasper-Smith-Simpson-Covington Counties
100 Court Ave, Suite 4
Mendenhall, MS 39114
(601) 847-1342 phone
(601) 847-3428 fax