Oktibbeha County
Oktibbeha County is located in east-central Mississippi as part of the Golden Triangle, which includes Starkville, Columbus, and West Point. Oktibbeha County has an estimated population of about 51,388 residents, spanning approximately 458.2 square miles, Starkville, the county seat, also serves as the home of Mississippi State University and the county's cultural center. Oktibbeha County operates several trial courts that manage various legal matters. These include Circuit, Chancery, County, Justice, Youth, and Municipal Courts.
The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes exceeding $200,000, and appeals from lower courts. The Chancery Court resolves equity issues and family law matters involving divorce, child custody, probate cases, and guardianships. It also deals with sensitive matters like mental health commitments. The County Court handles misdemeanor cases, small claims, and civil disputes below $200,000. They also oversee eminent domain cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and appeals from Justice and Municipal Courts. Meanwhile, small claims up to $3,500 in financial disputes, minor misdemeanors punishable by a fine, and traffic violations are handled by the Justice Court. On the other hand, the Youth Court oversees all juvenile matters, including delinquency and child protection cases. The Municipal Court in Starkville handles city ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and other minor offenses within city limits.
Oktibbeha County court records are the official documentation of legal proceedings and other judicial activities generated within the county. They contain case filings, dockets, transcripts, dispositions, and court rulings. These records are typically accessible to the public to promote transparency under the Mississippi Public Records Act. Except for confidential records including those of juvenile and adoption cases, the following records are open to public disclosure:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Probate records
- Traffic records
- Family law records
The Circuit Clerk maintains records for the Circuit and County Courts while records related to probate, guardianship, and family law matters are overseen by the Chancery Clerk. Requests can be made via phone, mail, or in person at the courthouse at:
101 E Main Street
Starkville, MS 39759
Phone: (662) 323-1356
Also, online access is available through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) portal, allowing users to search for court records by name or case number.
