Small Claims Plainly

State guide

Mississippi

This is general information, not legal advice. Mississippi's justice courts hear the civil cases people often call small claims. The Mississippi Judiciary page on justice court says these courts have jurisdiction over small claims civil cases involving amounts of $3,500 or less, misdemeanor criminal cases, and traffic offenses that occur outside a municipality. There are 82 justice courts. The page says justice court judges are elected in partisan races and serve four-year terms. They may also hold bond and preliminary hearings in felony cases and may issue search warrants. The civil small-claims work shares the court with that criminal work. File with the justice court clerk in the county that has jurisdiction over your dispute.

Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
Which court hears it
Justice court
Dollar limit we could verify
The Mississippi Judiciary's justice-court page says justice courts have jurisdiction over small claims civil cases involving amounts of $3,500 or less.
Statute or court page
Official page →
Filing or self-help page
Official page →

The $3,500 figure on the judiciary's page is the statewide description this directory uses. It is 'amounts of $3,500 or less,' which includes a claim for exactly that amount. A larger civil claim belongs in county court or circuit court, depending on the county's court structure and the relief you need. Justice court is close to home and less formal. The page does not set out a filing fee or an appeal deadline, so this directory does not invent them. Ask the justice court clerk. Because judges also hear criminal matters, a civil docket may be called on a day that includes traffic cases.

Prepare the claim with the legal name of the person or business, a short statement of why money is owed, and a number at or under $3,500. Bring the writing, photos, and receipts to the hearing. Justice court judges are not required to be lawyers in the way some trial judges are. Speak plainly and stick to the amount you can prove. If you are suing a business, get the name used on its local privilege license or secretary-of-state filing. Service is arranged through the constable or the method the clerk describes. A judgment that the other side never received notice of is a judgment that may not hold.

The judiciary's mailing address for the administrative office is printed on the justice-court page in Jackson. That office does not try your case. The county justice court does. After a judgment, ask the clerk about garnishment or execution under the statutes that apply to justice court. Collection is a separate request. A page that states jurisdiction does not move money. If the dispute is a misdemeanor or a traffic ticket outside city limits, it may be in the same courthouse and is not a small claim. Keep the civil claim and any criminal matter on their own papers.

Official resources in Mississippi

Mississippi justice courts

Judiciary page stating justice-court small claims of $3,500 or less.

Mississippi Judiciary

State court site for trial-court information.

Mississippi.gov

State portal for agencies and local government links.

Key facts for Mississippi

What to do next

  1. Keep the demand at or under $3,500.
  2. Ask the justice court clerk about the filing fee and how the constable serves papers.
  3. Use the business's correct legal name.
  4. Treat collection as a separate request after the judgment.

Looking for your city or county in Mississippi?

We haven't found official court-level pages for Mississippi we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:

  1. General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Mississippi, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
  2. Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
    Mississippi Judiciary
    Website →
    Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Mississippi page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
  3. Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

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