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, P.O. 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
P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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
P.O. 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, P.O. Box 144
Belzoni, MS 39038
Phone: (662) 247–5662

Youth Courts in Issaquena County
Issaquena County Youth Court
129 Court Street, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. Box 1336
Laurel, MS 39441
Phone: (601) 425–2556
Fax: (601) 399–4774

Youth Courts in Kemper County
Kemper County Youth Court
P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. Box 821
Monticello, MS 39654
Phone: (601) 587–7162
Fax: (601) 587–0767

Youth Courts in Leake County
Leake County Youth Court
P.O. Box 72
Carthage, MS 39051
Phone: (601) 267–7371
Fax: (601) 267–6137

Youth Courts in Lee County
Lee County Youth Court
P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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
P.O. 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, P.O. Box 416
Charleston, MS 38921
Phone: (662) 647–5551
Fax: (662) 647–0218

Tallahatchie County Youth Court - 2nd District
100 N Court Street, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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
P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. 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, P.O. Box 108
Yazoo City, MS 39194
Phone: (662) 746–1872
Fax: (662) 716–0113