Courts

9th Chancery District Court 

Cases heard in the Chancery Court include domestic/family matters, divorce, child custody, property division, adoptions, alimony, estates of descendants, land issues (titles, contracts), emancipation (declaring a minor to be 21 for work purposes), property title confirmation, property disputes (over $50,000), insurance settlements to minors, and commitments of mentally disabled.

The following Judges preside over the Washington County 9th Chancery District Court:

washington county chancery court judge
Hon. Vickie R. Barnes
P.O. Box 351
Vicksburg MS 39181-0351
Phone: 601.636.8327
washington county chancery court judge
Hon. Bennie L. Richard
P.O. Box 1762
Greenville MS 38702-1762
Phone: 662.334.2685
washington county chancery court
Hon. Debra M. Giles
P.O. Box 850
Indianola MS 38751
Phone: 662.887.7070

4th Circuit Court 

The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters not vested exclusively in another court. Most Circuit Court cases are heard by juries.

The following Judges preside over the Washington County 4th Circuit Court:

washington county ms circuit court judge
Hon. Ashley Hines
P.O. Box 1315
Greenville MS 38702-1315
Phone: 662.334.2652
Fax: 662.335.2381
washington county ms circuit court judge
Hon. Margaret Cary-McCray
P.O. Box 1775
Greenville MS 38702-1775
Phone: 662.334.2797
Fax: 662.334.2716
washington county ms circuit court judge
Hon. Carol L. White-Richard
P.O. Box 686/200 Main Street
Indianola, MS 38751
Phone: 662.445.1996
Fax: 662.887.5656
washington county ms circuit court
Honorable Richard Smith
P.O. Box 1953
Greenwood MS 38935-1429
Phone: 662.453.1429
Fax: 662.455.9056

County Court

The County Court has exclusive jurisdiction over eminent domain proceedings and juvenile matters, among other things. The County Court judge also serves as the Youth Court judge. The Court shares jurisdiction with Circuit and Chancery Courts in some civil matters. The Circuit Court may transfer non-capital felony cases to the County Court. County Court judges may issue search warrants, set bond and preside over preliminary hearings. County Courts have concurrent jurisdiction with Justice Courts in all matters, civil and criminal.

washington county ms county court judgeHon. Vernita King Johnson
County & Youth Court Judge
P.O. Box 816
Greenville, MS 38702
Phone: 662.334.2657

 


Justice Court 

The Justice Court resides over a myriad of matters, from civil suits to delinquent mobile home taxes. Traffic tickets issued by the State Highway Patrol and the Washington County Sheriff's Department are resolved in the Justice Court, as well as Public Service tickets, Gaming, Fishing and Marine Reserve tickets.

This Court hears all matters with regard to DUIs and violations of County ordinances. All felony cases are first heard in the Justice Court for initial appearance and the filing of affidavit. Judges from this office have court sessions at the jail three times each week to ensure each person's right to have an initial court appearance within three days of arrest.

The following Judges preside over the Washington County Justice Court:

washington county justice court judge
Hon. Laverne Holmes
District 1
905 W. Alexander Street
Greenville, MS 38701
Phone: 662.332.0633
washington county ms justice court judge
Hon. Laverne Simpson
District 2
905 W. Alexander Street
Greenville, MS 38701
Phone: 662.332.0633
washington county ms justice court judge
Honorable Cedric Bush
District 3
905 W. Alexander Street
Greenville, MS 38701
Phone: 662.332.0633

Youth Court 

Cases heard in the Youth Court include matters involving delinquent children, children in need of supervision, and neglected and/or abused children.

washington county ms youth court judgeHon. Vernita King Johnson
County & Youth Court Judge
P.O. Box 816
Greenville, MS 38702
Phone: 662.334.2657

 


Public Defenders

Stan Perkins
Public Defender

Michael Williams
Assistant Public Defender

Rhonda Lowe
Secretary
Email: rlowe@co.washington.ms.us

Anthony Cannon
Investigator
Email: acannon@co.washington.ms.us

903 Alexander Street
Greenville MS 38701
Phone: 662.334.2673