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CIRCUIT COURT

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Circuit Court Judges

Lisa P. Dodson
Senior Circuit Court Judge, Place One
​Staff Attorney: Constance Jordan
Lawrence P. Bourgeois, Jr.
Circuit Judge, Place Three
Staff Attorney:  Pepper Pearson
Christopher L. Schmidt
Circuit Judge, Place Two

​Staff Attorney:  Shannon Favre
Randi P. Mueller
​Circuit Judge, Place Four
​Administrator/Legal Assistant:  Mary Ladner
​Criminal Court Administrator:
(to Judge Dodson and Judge Bourgeois)
​Lisa M. Brawner
PO Box 1461, Gulfport, MS  39502
lmbrawner@co.harrison.ms.gov
​(228) 865-4220
​Criminal Court Administrator:
(to Judge Schmidt and Judge Mueller)
​Leigh Ann Atherton
PO Box 1461, Gulfport, MS  39502
laatherton@co.harrison.ms.gov
​(228) 865-4104

Civil Court Administrator:
Christie Kessler, 
PO Box 1461, Gulfport, MS  39502
clkessler@co.harrison.ms.us​​
(228) 865-4006

**ALL CIVIL MATTERS and CIVIL COURT DATES may be obtained by contacting the Civil Court Administrator.**
Jury Duty Reporting Information
Forms
Now accepting online payments for criminal court costs, fines & assessments!​
​www.mycircuitcourtpayment.com


​​**Electronic Filing**
Stone County Circuit Court now participates in the Mississippi Electronic Courts.  All criminal and civil cases from 2008-current are available online.  Dockets may be accessed by visiting MEC.ms.gov and choosing Stone Circuit from the drop-down list.  Should you need a document that is not currently available online, please contact the clerk's office for assistance.

CIRCUIT COURT

The Circuit Court tries felony criminal cases (as well as misdemeanors on appeal) and certain civil actions.  The Circuit Court is the appellate court from Justice Courts.  Appeals from the Circuit Court are to the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Circuit Court Terms are held in Stone County in January, May, July, and September.  Each Judge presides over either two or three weeks during each court term. 

Juries are widely used in the Circuit Court, with a unanimous vote of 12 required for a criminal conviction, but only 9 of 12 required for a decision in a civil proceeding.  The Circuit Court with all its attendant costs is generally the most expensive court in a county, but its work is too important to be compromised or sacrificed, and its work must be supported at an efficient and operable level.  While it is valuable to continually study the courts and seek improvement therein, it is noted that the alternative to no courts is not acceptable in a civilized society.

What kinds of cases are handled in Circuit Court?
  • Circuit Court handles civil matters involving debt collections, products liability, torts, contracts, and any matters not specifically handled by any other court.  All felony criminal matters as well as appeals from justice court are handled in Circuit Court.

I've been served a summons for a debt collection suit.  What do I do now?
  • You have thirty days from the date you receive your summons in a civil suit to file an answer with the court.  If you fail to file a timely answer, you may have a Default Judgment entered against you for the amount requested in the suit, to include attorney fees and court costs.  You are strongly encouraged to contact an attorney to represent you in any matter in Circuit Court, as you will be expected to adhere to court rules and decorum if you continue pro se (as your own attorney).  Should you be unable to afford an attorney to represent you, you may visit the Pro Bono Resources page of the Mississippi Bar for information on free legal aid.  You may also visit  ms.freelegalanswers.org for free legal advice by email if you meet certain requirements.

How can I find my criminal court date?
  • If you were arrested and charged with a felony crime, you will not have a file in the Circuit Court until you are indicted by the grand jury.  If you are indicted, you must contact your bonding company/agent or the sheriff's office for more information.  If you are currently under indictment, you may contact our office at (601) 928-5246 for more information. You may also locate your case and next court date on MEC.
​
How can I pay fines owed to the Circuit Court?
  • Fines owed to the court may be paid in cash, or by credit/debit card or money order.  If mailing, only money orders can be accepted and must include the offender's name and case number.  Payments can be made in person at the clerk's office or mailed to Stone County Circuit Court, 323 E Cavers Ave, Wiggins, Mississippi  39577.  Online payments may be made at www.mycircuitcourtpayment.com.  You will need your case number or account number to complete the transaction, both of which may be found on your most recent payment receipt.  A convenience fee will be assessed by the credit card processor.

How do I know what judge is assigned to my case?
  • You may log in to MEC to search your case.  Once you run a docket report for the case, the judge will be displayed.  For more assistance, please contact the clerk's office.

How can I have a charge removed from my record?
  • Persons who have completed a Non-Adjudicated Probation sentence may petition the Court to have their record expunged.   Also, certain felony convictions may be expunged if the conviction involves one of a defined list of crimes and other requirements are met.  Visit www.expungemississippi.com and answer a few short questions to see if you qualify.  For more information, consult an attorney for assistance.
​
                                                                                                              **Disclaimer**
The information contained in this site is not intended as legal advice. Persons with further questions on these subjects are strongly encouraged to seek legal advice from an attorney knowledgeable about these matters. 

Office of District Attorney
​(Stone, Harrison and Hancock County)
​


W. Crosby Parker,  District Attorney
Matthew Burrell, ADA - Stone County
​

1801 23rd Ave, Gulfport, MS  39501
PO Box 1180, Gulfport, MS  39502

(228) 865-4003     (601) 928-9943
 STONE COUNTY COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY LIST

​Jim Davis
1904 24th Ave, Gulfport, MS
​
(228) 864-1588
​Chris Fisher
1600 24th Ave, Gulfport, MS
​(228) 863-3095
​Damian Holcomb
2218 17th St, Gulfport, MS
​(228) 206-5843
​Todd Thriffiley
2601 13th St, Ste 203, Gulfport, MS
​(228) 822-9191
​David Sullivan
2501 14th St, Ste 212, Gulfport, MS
​(228) 547-3533
Motion and Order for Continuance.pdf
File Size: 106 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Petition to Enter Plea of Guilty.pdf
File Size: 62 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Petition for Court Appointed Attorney.pdf
File Size: 187 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Waiver of Arraignment.pdf
File Size: 184 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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