How Does the Mississippi Youth Court Work?

Mississippi Youth Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over matters involving:

• Abuse and neglect of youths
• Delinquent acts of youths (An act is considered delinquent if the offense would attract a criminal punishment if committed by an adult)
• Unruly acts of youths or youth in need of supervision cases
• Involuntary committals of youth in need of special care or mental treatment
• Termination of parental rights for parents who fail to perform specific essential parental duties

Generally, Youth Courts handle civil and criminal matters involving youths. The state of Mississippi defines youth as any person who has not attained the age of 18. Note that violent crime matters involving youths may be transferred to the Circuit Court where the youth may be tried as an adult. In the 22 Mississippi counties with a County Court, the judges also serve as Youth Court judges. Where a County Court does not exist, the Chancery Judge may hear Youth Court matters, or the Chancery Judge may appoint a lawyer to act in a judicial capacity as the Youth Court Referee. Appeals of the decisions of the Youth Courts go to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Youth Court judges are elected to serve four-year terms in non-partisan elections. In order to serve on the Youth Court, a candidate is required to:

• Have practiced law for at least five years
• Be 26 years of age or older.
• Be a citizen of the Mississippi for a minimum of five years.

Youth Court cases are typically heard without a jury. The court is not open to the media or the public. Its records are sealed except in limited circumstances. The locations of the Mississippi Youth Courts are listed below:

Youth Courts in Adams County

Adams County Youth Court

Juvenile Justice Center

320 State Street

Natchez, MS 39120

Phone: (601) 442–6416

Fax: (601) 445–7913

Youth Courts in Alcorn County

Alcorn County Youth Court

600 E Waldron Street

Corinth, MS 38835

Phone: (662) 286–7757

Youth Courts in Amite County

Amite County Youth Court

Courthouse Square

243 W Main Street, PO Box 680

Liberty, MS 39645

Phone: (601) 657–8022

Fax: (601) 657–8288

Youth Courts in Attala County

Attala County Youth Court

230 W Washington Street

Kosciusko, MS 39090

Phone: (662) 289–2921

Fax: (662) 289–7662

Youth Courts in Benton County

Benton County Youth Court

PO Box 218

Ashland, MS 38603

Phone: (662) 224–6300

Fax: (662) 224–6672

Youth Courts in Bolivar County

Bolivar County Youth Court - 1st District

Bolivar County Courthouse - Rosedale

801 Main Street, PO Box 205

Rosedale, MS 38769

Phone: (662) 759–6521

Fax: (662) 759–3717

Youth Courts in Calhoun County

Calhoun County Youth Court

103 W Main Street, PO Box 273

Pittsboro, MS 38951

Phone: (662) 412–3119

Fax: (662) 412–3128

Youth Courts in Carroll County

Carroll County Youth Court - 1st District

600 Lexington Street, PO Box 60

Carrollton, MS 38917

Phone: (662) 237–9274

Fax: (662) 237–9642

Youth Courts in Chickasaw County

Chickasaw County Youth Court

Chickasaw County First District Courthouse

1 Pinson Square

Houston, MS 38851

Phone: (662) 456–2513

Fax: (662) 456–5295

Youth Courts in Choctaw County

Choctaw County Youth Court

22 E Quinn Street, PO Box 250

Ackerman, MS 39735

Phone: (662) 285–6329

Fax: (662) 285–3444

Youth Courts in Claiborne County

Claiborne County Youth Court

410 Market Street, PO Box 449

Port Gibson, MS 39150

Phone: (601) 437–4992

Fax: (601) 437–3137

Youth Courts in Clarke County

Clarke County Youth Court

101 S Archusa Avenue, PO Box 689

Quitman, MS 39355

Phone: (601) 776–2126

Fax: (601) 776–2756

Youth Courts in Clay County

Clay County Youth Court

205 Court Street, PO Box 815

West Point, MS 39773

Phone: (662) 494–3124

Fax: (662) 492–4059

Youth Courts in Coahoma County

Coahoma County Youth Court

115 1st Street, PO Box 849

Clarksdale, MS 38614

Phone: (662) 624–3014

Fax: (662) 624–3075

Youth Courts in Copiah County

Copiah County Youth Court

Copiah County Chancery Complex

122 S Lowe Street, PO Box 507

Hazlehurst, MS 39083

Phone: (601) 894–3021

Fax: (601) 894–4081

Youth Courts in Covington County

Covington County Youth Court

101 S Elm Avenue, PO Box 1679

Collins, MS 39428

Phone: (601) 765–4242

Fax: (601) 765–5016

Youth Courts in Desoto County

DeSoto County Youth Court

2535 Highway 51 S

Hernando, MS 38632

Phone: (662) 469–8336

Fax: (662) 469–8337

Youth Courts in Forrest County

Forrest County Youth Court

630 Main Street, PO Box 992

Hattiesburg, MS 39403

Phone: (601) 582–3213

Fax: (601) 545–6065

Youth Courts in Franklin County

Franklin County Youth Court

36 Main Street E, PO Box 297

Meadville, MS 39653

Phone: (601) 384–2330

Fax: (601) 384–5864

Youth Courts in George County

George County Youth Court

George County Courthouse

355 Cox Street, Suite A

Lucedale, MS 39452

Phone: (601) 947–4801

Fax: (601) 947–8806

Youth Courts in Greene County

Greene County Youth Court

400 Main Street, PO Box 610

Leakesville, MS 39451

Phone: (601) 394–2377

Fax: (601) 394–4445

Youth Courts in Grenada County

Grenada County Youth Court

59 Greene Street, PO Box 1208

Grenada, MS 38902

Phone: (662) 226–1821

Fax: (662) 227–2860

Youth Courts in Hancock County

Hancock County Youth Court

126 Court Street

Bay Street. Louis, MS 39520

Phone: (228) 467–7945

Fax: (228) 466–4707

Youth Courts in Harrison County

Harrison County Youth Court

761 Esters Boulevard, PO Box 134

Biloxi, MS 39530

Phone: (228) 435–3201

Fax: (228) 435–4784

Youth Courts in Hinds County

Hinds County Youth Court

407 E Pascagoula, PO Box 327

Jackson, MS 39205

Phone: (601) 968–6628

Fax: (601) 973–5547

Youth Courts in Holmes County

Holmes County Youth Court

Holmes County Courthouse

PO Box 239

Lexington, MS 39095

Phone: (662) 834–2508

Fax: (662) 834–1872

Youth Courts in Humphreys County

Humphreys County Youth Court

Humphreys County Courthouse

102 Castleman Street, PO Box 144

Belzoni, MS 39038

Phone: (662) 247–5662

Youth Courts in Issaquena County

Issaquena County Youth Court

129 Court Street, PO Box 27

Mayersville, MS 39113

Phone: (662) 873–2761

Fax: (662) 873–2061

Youth Courts in Jackson County

Jackson County Youth Court

4903 Telephone Road

Pascagoula, MS 39567

Phone: (228) 762–7370

Fax: (228) 762–7385

Youth Courts in Jasper County

Jasper County Youth Court

Jasper County Courthouse

27 W 8th Avenue, PO Box 1047

Bay Springs, MS 39422

Phone: (601) 764–3368

Fax: (601) 764–3999

Youth Courts in Jefferson Davis County

Jefferson Davis County Youth Court

1025 3rd Street, PO Box 1444

Prentiss, MS 39474

Phone: (601) 792–2065

Fax: (601) 792–2894

Youth Courts in Jones County

Jones County Youth Court

415 N 5th Avenue, PO Box 1336

Laurel, MS 39441

Phone: (601) 425–2556

Fax: (601) 399–4774

Youth Courts in Kemper County

Kemper County Youth Court

PO Box 188

De Kalb, MS 39328

Phone: (601) 743–2460

Fax: (601) 743–2789

Youth Courts in Lafayette County

Lafayette County Youth Court

Lafayette County Chancery Building

300 N Lamar Boulevard, PO Box 1240

Oxford, MS 38655

Phone: (662) 234–2131

Fax: (662) 234–5038

Youth Courts in Lamar County

Lamar County Youth Court

Lamar County Circuit Courthouse

203 Main Street, PO Box 369

Purvis, MS 39475

Phone: (601) 794–8504

Fax: (601) 794–3905

Youth Courts in Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County Youth Court

5400 Semmes Road

Meridian, MS 39307

Phone: (601) 482–9830

Fax: (601) 484–1960

Youth Courts in Lawrence County

Lawrence County Youth Court

Lawrence County Courthouse

517 E Broad Street, PO Box 821

Monticello, MS 39654

Phone: (601) 587–7162

Fax: (601) 587–0767

Youth Courts in Leake County

Leake County Youth Court

PO Box 72

Carthage, MS 39051

Phone: (601) 267–7371

Fax: (601) 267–6137

Youth Courts in Lee County

Lee County Youth Court

PO Box 736

Tupelo, MS 38802

Phone: (662) 841–9730

Fax: (662) 841–9732

Youth Courts in Leflore County

Leflore County Youth Court

Leflore County Courthouse

310 W Market Street, PO Box 452

Greenwood, MS 38935

Phone: (662) 455–7945

Fax: (662) 453–0869

Youth Courts in Lincoln County

Lincoln County Youth Court

Lincoln County/Brookhaven Government Complex

301 S First Street

Brookhaven, MS 39601

Phone: (601) 835–3411

Fax: (601) 835–3423

Youth Courts in Lowndes County

Lowndes County Youth Court

Lowndes County Courthouse

505 2nd Avenue N, PO Box 31

Columbus, MS 39703

Phone: (662) 329–5945

Fax: (662) 329–5935

Youth Courts in Madison County

Madison County Youth Court

Madison County Courthouse

128 W North Street, PO Box 1626

Canton, MS 39046

Phone: (601) 859–4365

Fax: (601) 859–8555

Youth Courts in Marion County

Marion County Youth Court

Marion County Courthouse

250 Broad Street, Suite 2

Columbia, MS 39429

Phone: (601) 736–2691

Fax: (601) 444–0206

Youth Courts in Marshall County

Marshall County Youth Court

136 N Alderson Street, PO Box 219

Holly Springs, MS 38635

Phone: (662) 252–4431

Fax: (662) 551–3302

Youth Courts in Monroe County

Monroe County Youth Court

Monroe County Government Complex

1619 Highland Drive, PO Box 57

Amory, MS 38821

Phone: (662) 256–3041

Fax: (662) 256–1488

Youth Courts in Montgomery County

Montgomery County Youth Court

Montgomery County Courthouse

614 Summit Street, PO Box 71

Winona, MS 38967

Phone: (662) 283–2333

Fax: (662) 283–2233

Youth Courts in Neshoba County

Neshoba County Youth Court

305 Main Street

Philadelphia, MS 39350

Phone: (601) 656–2812

Fax: (601) 656–3214

Youth Courts in Newton County

Newton County Youth Court

92 W Broad Street, PO Box 68

Decatur, MS 39327

Phone: (601) 635–2367

Fax: (601) 635–3479

Youth Courts in Noxubee County

Noxubee County Youth Court

505 S Jefferson Street, PO Box 147

Macon, MS 39341

Phone: (662) 726–4243

Fax: (662) 726–2272

Youth Courts in Oktibbeha County

Oktibbeha County Youth Court

101 E Main Street

Starkville, MS 39759

Phone: (662) 323–5834

Fax: (662) 323–8915

Youth Courts in Panola County

Panola County Youth Court

151 Public Square

Batesville, MS 38606

Phone: (662) 563–6205

Fax: (662) 563–6277

Youth Courts in Pearl River County

Pearl River County Youth Court

Pearl River County Governmental Complex

917 Goodyear Boulevard, PO Box 1746

Picayune, MS 39466

Phone: (601) 749–7735

Fax: (601) 749–7727

Youth Courts in Perry County

Perry County Youth Court

103 S Main Street, PO Box 198

New Augusta, MS 39462

Phone: (601) 964–8398

Fax: (601) 964–8746

Youth Courts in Pike County

Pike County Youth Court

218 E Bay Street, PO Box 31

Magnolia, MS 39652

Phone: (601) 783–2581

Fax: (601) 783–6322

Youth Courts in Pontotoc County

Pontotoc County Youth Court

34 S Liberty Street, PO Box 209

Pontotoc, MS 38863

Phone: (662) 489–3900

Fax: (662) 489–3940

Youth Courts in Prentiss County

Prentiss County Youth Court

101 N Main Street, PO Box 477

Booneville, MS 38829

Phone: (662) 728–8151

Fax: (662) 728–2007

Youth Courts in Quitman County

Quitman County Youth Court

220 Chestnut Street, Suite 2

Marks, MS 38646

Phone: (662) 326–2661

Fax: (662) 326–8004

Youth Courts in Rankin County

City of Pearl Youth Court

2561 Old Brandon Road, PO Box 5426

Pearl, MS 39288

Phone: (601) 863–3237

Fax: (601) 863–3234

Youth Courts in Scott County

Scott County Youth Court

100 E 1st Street, PO Box 630

Forest, MS 39074

Phone: (601) 469–1922

Fax: (601) 469–5180

Youth Courts in Sharkey County

Sharkey County Youth Court

120 Locust Street, PO Box 218

Rolling Fork, MS 39159

Phone: (662) 873–2755

Fax: (662) 873–6045

Youth Courts in Simpson County

Simpson County Youth Court

111 W Pine Avenue, PO Box 367

Mendenhall, MS 39114

Phone: (601) 847–2626

Fax: (601) 847–7016

Youth Courts in Smith County

Smith County Youth Court

201 Courthouse Square, PO Box 39

Raleigh, MS 39153

Phone: (601) 782–9811

Fax: (601) 782–4690

Youth Courts in Stone County

Stone County Youth Court

323 E Cavers Avenue, PO Drawer 7

Wiggins, MS 39577

Phone: (601) 928–5266

Fax: (601) 928–6464

Youth Courts in Sunflower County

Sunflower County Youth Court

PO Box 998

Indianola, MS 38751

Phone: (662) 887–7424

Fax: (662) 887–2748

Youth Courts in Tallahatchie County

Tallahatchie County Youth Court - 1st District

1 Court Square, PO Box 416

Charleston, MS 38921

Phone: (662) 647–5551

Fax: (662) 647–0218

Tallahatchie County Youth Court - 2nd District

100 N Court Street, PO Box 180

Sumner, MS 38957

Phone: (662) 375–8731

Fax: (662) 375–7252

Youth Courts in Tate County

Tate County Youth Court

201 Ward Street

Senatobia, MS 38668

Phone: (662) 562–5661

Fax: (662) 560–6205

Youth Courts in Tippah County

Tippah County Youth Court

Tippah County Chancery Courthouse

101 E Spring Street

Ripley, MS 38663

Phone: (662) 837–7374

Fax: (662) 837–7148

Youth Courts in Tishomingo County

Tishomingo County Youth Court

1008 Battleground Drive, PO Box 773

Iuka, MS 38852

Phone: (662) 423–7010

Fax: (662) 423–7005

Youth Courts in Tunica County

Tunica County Youth Court

1300 School Street, PO Box 217

Tunica, MS 38676

Phone: (662) 363–2451

Fax: (662) 357–5934

Youth Courts in Union County

Union County Youth Court

Union County Chancery Building

109 E Main Street, PO Box 847

New Albany, MS 38652

Phone: (662) 534–1900

Fax: (662) 534–1907

Youth Courts in Walthall County

Walthall County Youth Court

200 Ball Avenue, PO Box 351

Tylertown, MS 39667

Phone: (601) 876–3553

Fax: (601) 876–6026

Youth Courts in Warren County

Warren County Youth Court

1009 Cherry Street, PO Box 351

Vicksburg, MS 39181

Phone: (601) 636–3961

Fax: (601) 630–4100

Youth Courts in Washington County

Washington County Youth Court

900 Washington Avenue, PO Box 1276

Greenville, MS 38702

Phone: (662) 378–2747

Fax: (662) 334–2698

Youth Courts in Wayne County

Wayne County Youth Court

609 Azalea Drive

Waynesboro, MS 39367

Phone: (601) 735–2873

Fax: (601) 735–6224

Youth Courts in Webster County

Webster County Youth Court

PO Box 398

Walthall, MS 39771

Phone: (662) 258–4131

Fax: (662) 258–6657

Youth Courts in Wilkinson County

Wilkinson County Youth Court

525 Main Street, PO Box 516

Woodville, MS 39669

Phone: (601) 888–4381

Fax: (601) 888–6776

Youth Courts in Winston County

Winston County Youth Court

115 S Court Avenue, PO Box 69

Louisville, MS 39339

Phone: (662) 773–3631

Fax: (662) 773–8814

Youth Courts in Yalobusha County

Yalobusha County Youth Court

201 Blackmur Drive, PO Box 664

Water Valley, MS 38965

Phone: (662) 473–2091

Fax: (662) 473–3622

Youth Courts in Yazoo County

Yazoo County Youth Court

Yazoo County Courthouse

211 E Broadway Street, PO Box 108

Yazoo City, MS 39194

Phone: (662) 746–1872

Fax: (662) 716–0113