Court System
Wayne County Chancery Court
The Wayne County Chancery Court has jurisdiction over disputes in matters involving equity; domestic matters including adoptions, custody disputes and divorces; guardianships; sanity hearings; wills; and challenges to constitutionality of state laws.
In addition, land records are filed in the Chancery Court.
Trials are typically heard by a chancellor without a jury, although state law allows parties to request a jury in Chancery Court.
Chancery Court judges are selected in non-partisan elections to serve four-year terms.
Wayne County Chancery Clerk
Geary Jackson, 609 Azalea Drive, Waynesboro, MS 39367
Telephone: 601-735-2873; Fax: 601-735-6224
Office location: First floor of Wayne County Courthouse (near East entrance)
Wayne County Chancery Court Judge
The Honorable Billy J. Graham (Mississippi Chancery District 19)
P.O. Box 1961, Laurel, MS 39441
Telephone: 601-428-7625; Fax: 601-428-3119
Wayne County Circuit Court
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.
The Wayne County Circuit Court also hears appeals from 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.
Wayne County Circuit Court Clerk
Rose Bingham, 609 Azalea Drive, Waynesboro, MS 39367
Phone: 601-735-1171; Fax: 601-735-6261
Office location: First floor of Wayne County Courthouse (near South entrance)
Wayne County Circuit Judges
The Honorable Justin M. Cobb, P.O. Box 5631, Meridian, MS 39302
Phone: 601-482-9741; Fax: 601-486-4933
The Honorable Lester F. Williamson Jr., P.O. Box 86, Meridian, MS 39302
Phone: 601-482-9741; Fax: 601-486-4933
District Attorney
Kassie Coleman, P.O. Box 5163, Meridian, MS 39302
Phone: 601-482-9757; Fax: 601-483-0085
Wayne County Justice Court
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.
Wayne County Justice Court Clerk
Michelle McCann, 810 Chickasawhay Street, Waynesboro, MS 39367
Phone: 601-735-3118; Fax: 601-735-6266
Wayne County Justice Court Judges
The Honorable Charles Chapman (Post 1), 810 Chickasawhay Street, Waynesboro, MS 39367
Phone: 601-735-3118; Fax: 601-735-6266
The Honorable Ralph Smith (Post 2), 810 Chickasawhay Street, Waynesboro, MS 39367
Phone: 601-735-3118; Fax: 601-735-6266
Wayne County Constables
Scott Frost (Post 1), 810 Chickasawhay Street, Waynesboro, MS 39367
Steve Ainsworth (Post 2), 810 Chickasawhay Street, Waynesboro, MS 39367
Phone: 601-735-3118; Fax: 601-735-6266
Office location: 810 Chickasawhay Street (corner of Azalea Drive and Chickasawhay Street), on the Wayne County Courthouse Square
