Which Forrest County Court Will Handle Your Loved One's Case (Justice, Circuit, or Chancery?)

Which court handles a case in Forrest County depends on the type of case - and for some civil matters, how much money is at stake. Justice Court is your starting point for smaller civil claims. Specifically, it covers civil actions to recover debts or damages where the principal amount (or property value) doesn't exceed $3,500. On the criminal side, Justice Court only handles cases where the punishment doesn't go beyond a fine and county jail time. State felonies go to Circuit Court, which also handles civil lawsuits that go to trial. Family or probate issues - divorce, adoption, estates - belong in Chancery Court. That includes partition suits, paternity cases, injunctions, and involuntary mental commitment.

Justice Court is often the quickest way to narrow things down, especially for civil cases. It has jurisdiction over civil actions for debt recovery, damages, or personal property when the principal amount or property value doesn't exceed $3,500. For criminal matters, Justice Court only handles cases where the punishment doesn't extend beyond a fine and county jail time. If you're hearing "felony" or seeing paperwork that suggests a felony charge, you're looking at Circuit Court instead.

Circuit Court handles the most serious criminal cases in Forrest County - specifically, trials involving state felonies. It also handles civil lawsuits that go to trial, so you might deal with Circuit Court even when a case isn't criminal.

Chancery Court handles family and probate matters in Forrest County. If your situation involves divorce, an estate, adoption, a partition suit, paternity, or an injunction, this is likely where it lands. Chancery Court also handles involuntary mental commitment cases.

Not sure which court is involved? Start with whatever paperwork you have - a citation, bond paperwork, or court notice usually names the court and may include a case number or appearance date. If you suspect a felony (or you're trying to confirm a felony trial date), head to Circuit Court - that's where state felony trials happen. For smaller issues, remember the Justice Court limits: civil claims up to $3,500, and criminal cases only when the punishment doesn't go beyond a fine and county jail time. Those two details alone can help you rule a court in or out fast.

• ✓ Call or email the Circuit Clerk (Gwen Wilks) to ask whether a case is on the docket: gwilks@forrestcountyms.us, (601) 582 3213, 630 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
• ✓ Check any citation, bond paperwork, or court notice for the court name, case number, and appearance date.
• ✓ If it looks like a small civil matter (under $3,500) or a misdemeanor-level criminal case, contact the Justice Court clerk (Faye McLaurin): fmclaurin@forrestcountyms.us, (601) 544-3136, 700 Main St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
• ✓ If the issue is family/probate-related (divorce, adoption, estate, injunction, etc.), contact the Chancery Court listed contact (Robyn Day): rday@forrestcountyms.us, (601) 545-6100, 110 Alcorn Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.

1. Ask if there’s a hearing coming up - “Is there an upcoming docket or hearing for [full name]?” (If you suspect a felony trial or a civil lawsuit, start with the Circuit Clerk: (601) 582 3213; gwilks@forrestcountyms.us.)
2. Get the case location and identifier - “What court is this in, and what is the case or docket number?”
3. Confirm the logistics - “Can you confirm the date, time, and location for the next setting?”
4. Double-check jurisdiction if you’re still unsure - “Is this a Justice Court matter (civil under $3,500 or punishments limited to a fine/county jail), or does it belong in Circuit?” (If it sounds like Justice Court, call the Justice Court clerk at (601) 544-3136; fmclaurin@forrestcountyms.us.)