COURTS & JURISDICTIONS
33 Years in Mississippi Courtrooms
Gilliam Law Firm practices in courts across Mississippi — from municipal courts and county justice courts to circuit courts and federal district courts. We know these courts because we try cases in them. Here's what you need to know about where your case may be heard.
How Mississippi Courts Work And Why It Matters for Your Case
The Mississippi court system is divided into several levels, each with its own jurisdiction — meaning each court has authority over specific types of cases, geographic areas, and dollar amounts. Where your case is heard depends on the type of charge or claim involved, the county where the incident occurred, and the severity of the offense or the size of the claim.
For personal injury and wrongful death cases, your case may be filed in Circuit Court — the trial court of general jurisdiction in Mississippi. For criminal matters, the court depends on whether you're facing a misdemeanor or a felony charge, and in which municipality or county the alleged offense occurred. For federal charges or federal civil rights claims, your case will be heard in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
At Gilliam Law Firm, our legal team practices in all of these courts. We know the judges, the procedures, and the local legal landscape in every jurisdiction where we take cases — and that knowledge is a genuine advantage for every client we represent.
Not sure which court handles your case? That's exactly the kind of question we answer in a free consultation. Call our team and we'll walk you through where your matter stands and what to expect.
The highest court in Mississippi. Handles appeals from lower courts on questions of law. Does not hear new evidence or retry cases. All attorneys licensed in Mississippi are subject to its oversight through the Mississippi Bar.
The intermediate appellate court. Hears appeals from circuit and chancery courts before cases reach the Supreme Court. Created in 1995 to help manage the volume of appeals in the state.
Mississippi's trial courts of general jurisdiction — where most serious personal injury, wrongful death, and felony criminal cases are tried. Each circuit covers multiple counties. Circuit courts also hear appeals from justice and municipal courts in some matters.
Gilliam Law Firm handles cases in Circuit Courts throughout Mississippi, including the Seventh Circuit (Hinds County) and the Twentieth Circuit (Madison and Rankin Counties).
County courts have jurisdiction over civil cases up to $200,000 and certain criminal matters. They also serve as appellate courts for justice court decisions. Not all Mississippi counties have a county court — they exist in the more populous counties including Hinds, Madison, and Rankin.
Chancery courts handle equity matters — including divorce, child custody, adoption, guardianship, property disputes, and estate administration. Mississippi has 20 chancery court districts.
Justice courts are the entry-level trial courts in each county. They handle civil cases up to $3,500 and misdemeanor criminal charges, and conduct preliminary hearings for felony offenses. Justice court judges are elected and are not required to be attorneys.
Municipal courts operate in incorporated cities and towns. They handle traffic citations, city ordinance violations, misdemeanor charges that occur within city limits, and initial appearances for felony defendants. Each municipality has its own municipal court.
Federal courts handle cases involving federal law, constitutional claims, and disputes between parties from different states above a certain dollar threshold. Mississippi falls within the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Jackson Division) and the Northern District of Mississippi. Federal courts operate under different rules and procedures than state courts, and federal criminal charges carry distinctly different sentencing guidelines.
Supreme Court of Mississippi
The highest court in Mississippi. Handles appeals from lower courts on questions of law. Does not hear new evidence or retry cases. All attorneys licensed in Mississippi are subject to its oversight through the Mississippi Bar.
Mississippi Court of Appeals
The intermediate appellate court. Hears appeals from circuit and chancery courts before cases reach the Supreme Court. Created in 1995 to help manage the volume of appeals in the state.
Circuit Courts
Mississippi's trial courts of general jurisdiction — where most serious personal injury, wrongful death, and felony criminal cases are tried. Each circuit covers multiple counties. Circuit courts also hear appeals from justice and municipal courts in some matters.
Gilliam Law Firm handles cases in Circuit Courts throughout Mississippi, including the Seventh Circuit (Hinds County) and the Twentieth Circuit (Madison and Rankin Counties).
County Courts
County courts have jurisdiction over civil cases up to $200,000 and certain criminal matters. They also serve as appellate courts for justice court decisions. Not all Mississippi counties have a county court — they exist in the more populous counties including Hinds, Madison, and Rankin.
Chancery Courts
Chancery courts handle equity matters — including divorce, child custody, adoption, guardianship, property disputes, and estate administration. Mississippi has 20 chancery court districts.
Justice Courts
Justice courts are the entry-level trial courts in each county. They handle civil cases up to $3,500 and misdemeanor criminal charges, and conduct preliminary hearings for felony offenses. Justice court judges are elected and are not required to be attorneys.
Municipal Courts
Municipal courts operate in incorporated cities and towns. They handle traffic citations, city ordinance violations, misdemeanor charges that occur within city limits, and initial appearances for felony defendants. Each municipality has its own municipal court.
Federal Courts
Federal courts handle cases involving federal law, constitutional claims, and disputes between parties from different states above a certain dollar threshold. Mississippi falls within the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Jackson Division) and the Northern District of Mississippi. Federal courts operate under different rules and procedures than state courts, and federal criminal charges carry distinctly different sentencing guidelines.
Hinds County Mississippi Courts
Hinds County is home to the state capital, Jackson, and is the most populous county in Mississippi. It has the highest volume of civil and criminal cases in the state, and its courts cover a wide range of matters — from misdemeanor traffic offenses to multi-million-dollar personal injury verdicts and serious felony prosecutions.
Gilliam Law Firm regularly represents clients in Hinds County courts across all case types — personal injury, criminal defense, wrongful death, and civil rights.
Hinds County Circuit Court
316 South President Street, Jackson, MS
First Judicial District (Jackson) · Second Judicial District (Raymond)
Hinds County Court
407 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS
Subdistrict 1 (Jackson) · Subdistrict 2 (Jackson) · Subdistrict 3 (Raymond)
Hinds County Justice Court
407 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS
Hinds County Chancery Court
316 South President Street, Jackson, MS
Subdistrict 1 · Subdistrict 2 · Subdistrict 3 · Subdistrict 4
Jackson Municipal Court
327 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS
Madison County Mississippi Courts
Madison County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Mississippi, with a population that now exceeds 100,000. Its courts handle a substantial and growing volume of civil and criminal cases — particularly misdemeanor DUI and criminal defense matters, personal injury claims, and property disputes. Gilliam Law Firm has a strong practice presence in Madison County courts and is expanding its criminal defense and personal injury representation throughout the county.
Madison County Circuit Court
Madison County Courthouse, 146 West Center Street, Canton, MS
Twentieth Circuit District (Madison and Rankin Counties)
Madison County Court
Madison County Courthouse, 146 West Center Street, Canton, MS
Madison County Justice Court
2961 South Liberty Street, Canton, MS
District One · District Two · District Three · District Four
Madison Municipal Court
Madison Justice Complex, 2001 Main Street, Madison, MS
Ridgeland Municipal Court
Ridgeland, Madison County, MS
Canton Municipal Court
Canton, Madison County, MS (County Seat)
Rankin County Mississippi Courts
Rankin County is one of Mississippi's fastest-growing counties and has one of the highest rates of DUI arrests and misdemeanor criminal activity in the region. Gilliam Law Firm is actively expanding its criminal defense representation throughout Rankin County.
Rankin County Circuit Court
Government Office, Brandon, MS
Twentieth Circuit District (Madison and Rankin Counties)
Rankin County Justice Court
117 N Timber St, Brandon, MS
Pearl Municipal Court
2422 Old Brandon Road, Pearl, MS
Brandon Municipal Court
1455 W Government St, Brandon, MS
Florence Municipal Court
203 N. Church Street, Florence, MS
Mississippi Delta Courts
The Mississippi Delta spans a broad geography of counties running from the Tennessee state line south toward Vicksburg. Core Delta counties include Bolivar, Coahoma, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica, Washington, and Yazoo, among others.
Gilliam Law Firm represents clients from across the Mississippi Delta in personal injury, wrongful death, and criminal defense matters.
Washington County Circuit Court
900 Washington Ave #2, Greenville, MS
Leflore County Circuit Court
310 W Market St, Greenwood, MS
Bolivar County Circuit Court
200 S Court St, Cleveland, MS
Coahoma County Circuit Court
115 1st St, Clarksdale, MS
U.S. District Court, Northern District
305 Main Street, Greenville, MS
Latest from Gilliam Law Firm
Insights, guidance, and answers to the questions Mississippi families ask most — straight from our legal team.
Know the Courts. Know Your Rights.
Understanding which court handles your case is the first step. The next step is having a legal team that knows how to navigate it. Gilliam Law Firm has practiced in Mississippi courts for more than 33 years — and we're ready to go to work for you.
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