Harrison County Justice Court Mississippi: How to File a Civil Claim

Harrison County's Justice Court System

Harrison County — covering Gulfport, Biloxi, Pass Christian, and Long Beach along Mississippi's Gulf Coast — operates two Justice Court districts. Both follow the statewide Uniform Rules of Procedure for Justice Court (RJC), and both handle civil claims for debts, property damage, contract disputes, and security deposit recovery up to $3,500 under Miss. Code § 9-11-9.

If you're owed money by someone in Harrison County and informal requests haven't worked, Justice Court is where you file. No lawyer is required, and the procedure is designed for self-represented filers.

Filing Fees and Accepted Payments

Miss. Code § 25-7-25 sets the uniform Justice Court civil case fee at $25 and adds $5 when there is more than one defendant. Constable service is $55, with $10 for each additional defendant at the same household under § 25-7-27; sheriff service is $45, with $5 for each additional defendant at the same household under § 25-7-19. County schedules may include other charges, so confirm the full Harrison County total with the clerk before filing.

Harrison County accepts cash, money orders, and payments through an approved county online portal. Verify accepted payment methods with the clerk before you go — portal availability and card processing policies can change.

How to File Your Claim

You'll need:

• A completed Civil Complaint for Justice Court (download from courts.ms.gov or pick up a blank at the clerk's office)
• The Civil Case Filing Cover Sheet (Form AOC/01)
• One extra copy of the complaint per defendant
• Supporting documents — contracts, invoices, receipts, photos, text message screenshots
• Your filing fee payment

Name the defendant correctly. Individuals get their full legal name. Businesses must be sued under their registered entity name — search sos.ms.gov to find the exact name and registered agent. A judgment against a trade name that doesn't match the registered entity may be unenforceable.

Serving the Other Side

Once you file, the clerk issues a summons. The Harrison County constable or sheriff delivers it to the defendant in person. A private process server (anyone 18 or older, not party to the case) is also an option.

Service must happen at least 30 days before the hearing. You cannot serve the defendant yourself, and certified mail alone doesn't qualify as valid service in Mississippi Justice Court.

Follow up with the clerk about a week before your court date to confirm the Return of Service was filed. If the defendant couldn't be located, you'll need to supply an updated address and request an Alias Summons, which means paying another service fee.

Preparing for the Hearing

Harrison County Justice Court hearings move quickly. Bring organized evidence: number your exhibits, prepare a one-page timeline of what happened, and have copies for the judge and the defendant.

The judge will let both sides present their case. Stick to facts — dates, amounts, what was promised, what actually happened. If you have witnesses, bring them in person; written statements carry less weight than live testimony.

If the defendant doesn't show up and service was properly completed, the judge can enter a default judgment. You still have to appear and present evidence proving the amount owed.

Collecting After a Judgment

Winning doesn't guarantee payment. If the defendant ignores the judgment, Harrison County Justice Court offers enforcement tools: Writs of Execution (a $15 court fee under Miss. Code § 25-7-25, plus any required service fee), wage garnishment, and Abstracts of Judgment that can create a lien on property.

The Mississippi Small Claims Filing Guide walks through every stage from demand letter to post-judgment collection, with service tracking logs and deadline calendars that work across all 82 Mississippi counties including Harrison.

See more Mississippi guides →