Meridian Mississippi Municipal Court

Meridian Mississippi Municipal Court cases in Lauderdale County, Meridian, MS

Meridian Municipal Court is a municipal court serving the City of Meridian, Mississippi. It is a limited-jurisdiction court that handles misdemeanor criminal offenses occurring within the city, municipal ordinance violations, and traffic and parking offenses (including DUI first offense). The court also conducts initial appearances, bond settings, and preliminary hearings in felony cases arising in the city before those matters are transferred to Circuit Court. It issues arrest and search warrants and accepts pleas and payments in eligible cases. The court does not adjudicate civil lawsuits, felony trials, or family law matters such as divorce or child custody, which are handled by the appropriate county-level courts (Justice, Circuit, or Chancery Courts) within Mississippi's judicial system.

Meridian Mississippi Municipal Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Meridian Mississippi Municipal Court

Meridian Municipal Court serves the public by handling city‑level criminal and traffic matters. Core functions include:
- Case intake: traffic and parking citations, city‑ordinance violations, and other low‑level misdemeanors; warrants and bonds as allowed.
- Hearings: arraignments, pretrial conferences, trials (judge or jury), sentencings, compliance/show‑cause hearings, continuances, and FTA resolutions.
- Payments and compliance: online/counter payments, payment plans, compliance dismissals, deferred/driver‑safety options, community‑service reporting.
- Jury services: juror summons, qualification, deferrals/exemptions, check‑in, and stipends for municipal jury trials.
- Protective orders: information and filing assistance; magistrates may issue emergency/no‑contact orders where authorized, with longer‑term orders typically handled in higher courts.
- Records and access: dockets and calendars, certified copies, and appearance instructions; interpreter and ADA accommodations.