Desoto County
Formed in 1836, DeSoto County was named for the first European explorer to see the Mississippi River. The county is located in the northwest area of Mississippi and has a population of approximately 185,000. The largest city in DeSoto County is Southaven, while the county seat is Hernando.
The court structure in DeSoto County is made up of circuit, chancery, county, youth, justice, and municipal courts. Municipal courts handle municipal ordinance violations and some criminal cases such as misdemeanor criminal cases. The justice courts have jurisdiction over criminal offenses punishable by a fine or time in county jail and petty misdemeanors. Civil cases heard by the justice courts include general civil claims where the amount in controversy is less than $3,500. Bond and preliminary hearings in felony cases may be conducted in the justice courts.
The youth courts (or juvenile courts) in the county handle all cases relating to juvenile offenses, a child in need of supervision, an abused or dependent child, and a delinquent child. County courts handle most general civil claims for less money than $200,000 and have jurisdiction over cases relating to eminent domain, the partition of personal property, and some actions for unlawful entry and detainer.
DeSoto County chancery courts typically handle matters of legal separation, alimony, divorce, child support, child custody, probate of wills, and managing estate administration as well as involuntary commitment cases. Circuit courts in the county have general jurisdiction over most criminal or civil cases. They hear appeals from the other courts in the county and from administrative agencies.
Court records in the county are maintained by the clerk of the courts. To obtain copies of court records from the chancery court, visit the address of the Chancery Court Clerk at 2535 Highway 51 S, Hernando. For copies of court records originating from the circuit and county courts, visit the officer of the Circuit Court Clerk at 2535 Highway 51 S, 2nd Floor, Hernando.
For online access to case information for the chancery, circuit, and county courts, visit the Mississippi Electronic Courts portal and select a DeSoto County court to search.
