Wayne County is divided into two Justice Court districts -- the number determined by population based on the federal Census conducted every decade. Justice Court judges are the only Mississippi judges elected in partisan races, and serve four-year terms of office.
Circuit Courts also hear appeals from County, Justice and Municipal courts and from administrative boards and commissions such as the Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Circuit Court judges are selected in non-partisan elections to serve four-year terms.
Chancery Court judges are selected in non-partisan elections to serve four-year terms. The Wayne County Circuit Court hears felony criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits. This court has original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters not vested exclusively in another court.
Mississippi’s circuit courts have original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters not vested exclusively in another court. Circuit Courts also hear appeals from County, Justice and Municipal courts and from administrative boards and commissions such as the Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Circuit Court judges are selected in non-partisan elections to serve four-year terms. Most circuit court trials are heard with a 12-member jury and usually one or two alternate jurors. A judge may preside without a jury if the dispute is a question of law rather than fact. Circuit judges have the power to issue extraordinary writs.
The Wayne County Economic Development District, comprised of nine appointed board members, oversees the county's two industrial parks and county-owned facilities occupied by businesses that lease such buildings for their operations.
The Wayne County Extension Service provides educational outreach to the citizens of Wayne County on behalf of Mississippi State University (a land-grant institution). Programs focus on a variety of topics ranging from food preparation and storage to eating healthy and growing vegetables.The Extension Service oversees the area's 4-H program for youth.
The Board of Education is solely responsible for the operational and budgetary oversight of the school district, while the elected Superintendent of Education sees to the day-to-day operations of the system.
Office: 601-735-2873. Fax: 601-735-6224. Elected position to serve as clerk of Board of Supervisors and clerk of Chancery Court, and to maintain the records of both offices. This office also deals with estates, guardianships, divorces, child custody cases, adoptions, property disputes and other matters of equity. * * *.
The Wayne County Justice Court has jurisdiction over small claims civil cases involving amounts of $3,500 or less, misdemeanor criminal cases, and any traffic offense that occurs outside a municipality. Justice Court judges may conduct bond hearings and preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases and may issue search warrants.
Wayne County is divided into two Justice Court districts -- the number determined by population based on the federal Census conducted every decade. Justice Court judges are the only Mississippi judges elected in partisan races, and serve four-year terms of office.