Youth Court Representation
in South Mississippi

Under Mississippi Code § 43-21-151, Youth Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over most matters involving children under 18, including delinquency, children in need of supervision (CHINS), and abuse/neglect cases. Certain serious charges, such as offenses punishable by life imprisonment and some felonies involving a deadly weapon, begin in adult circuit court instead.

Delinquency involves a minor who has committed an act that would be a crime if committed by an adult. CHINS involves behavior such as truancy, running away, or being beyond parental control.

Yes. Under certain circumstances and for serious offenses, a juvenile can be transferred to adult court for prosecution.

Children have many of the same constitutional rights as adults, including the right to an attorney, the right to remain silent, and the right to a fair hearing.

In some cases, parents may be ordered to participate in counseling, pay restitution, or attend parenting classes as part of the disposition.

The court determines whether the allegations against the child are true. If proven, the court moves to a disposition hearing to decide the appropriate outcome.

Yes. Under certain conditions and after a period of time, many Youth Court records can be expunged or sealed.

A guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the best interests of the child, especially in abuse and neglect cases.

Detention is meant to be temporary. Under Mississippi Code § 43-21-307, a child generally may be held in temporary custody no longer than 48 hours, excluding weekends and statutory state holidays, unless a petition is filed and the youth court orders continued custody after a detention hearing under § 43-21-309.

Yes. Decisions from Youth Court can be appealed to the Mississippi Court of Appeals or Supreme Court under certain circumstances.

Contact an experienced Youth Court attorney immediately. Do not allow your child to be interviewed without legal representation present.

No. Custody and visitation matters are generally handled in Chancery Court, not Youth Court.

The primary goal is rehabilitation and the best interest of the child, rather than punishment.

An experienced attorney can protect your child’s rights, challenge evidence, negotiate dispositions, and work for the strongest outcome the facts allow.

Youth court records are generally confidential. Hearings are different after the 2026 youth court reform: under Senate Bill 2001, youth court hearings are open to the public by default, and the judge may close a hearing, with findings on the record in abuse and neglect cases. We can ask the court to close a hearing to protect a child's privacy.

The Forrest County Youth Court sits at 110 Alcorn Ave in Hattiesburg. It hears delinquency, children in need of supervision (CHINS), and abuse and neglect cases involving children under 18 from Hattiesburg, Petal, and the rest of Forrest County. Our office is at 525 Corinne Street in Hattiesburg, and we represent children and parents in Forrest County Youth Court, Lamar County Youth Court, and youth courts across the surrounding counties.