Mississippi’s state-level felony prosecutors are organized into 23 circuit court districts, each led by an elected district attorney. To use this Mississippi district attorney list, find your county in the district-by-county breakdown below, note the district number, and contact that district’s office. The boundaries are not intuitive: some districts cover as many as seven counties, while Hinds and DeSoto each stand alone.
How the District Attorney System Is Organized in Mississippi
Mississippi prosecutors work within circuit court districts set by state statute. There are currently 23 of them, and each has its own elected district attorney.1State of Mississippi Judiciary. Circuit Courts The districts do not line up one-to-one with counties. Some group multiple rural counties together; a few high-population counties form a district on their own. Hinds County (Jackson) and DeSoto County are single-county districts, while the First Circuit Court District covers seven counties in the northeast corner of the state.2Mississippi Legislature. HB1586 (As Introduced) – 2024 Regular Session
Each district attorney serves a four-year term and has jurisdiction only over cases arising in the counties inside their district. A prosecutor in the Twelfth Circuit (Forrest and Perry counties) has no authority over a case in the Eighth Circuit (Leake, Neshoba, Newton, and Scott counties). That means the first step in reaching the right office is always the same: identify your county, then match it to the district.
Circuit Court Districts by County
The 23 circuit court districts, as maintained by the Mississippi Judiciary, are listed below.1State of Mississippi Judiciary. Circuit Courts Find your county to identify which district attorney’s office serves you.
- District 1: Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tishomingo
- District 2: Hancock, Harrison, Stone
- District 3: Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah, Union
- District 4: Leflore, Sunflower, Washington
- District 5: Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Grenada, Montgomery, Webster, Winston
- District 6: Adams, Amite, Franklin, Wilkinson
- District 7: Hinds
- District 8: Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott
- District 9: Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren
- District 10: Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Wayne
- District 11: Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Tunica
- District 12: Forrest, Perry
- District 13: Covington, Jasper, Simpson, Smith
- District 14: Lincoln, Pike, Walthall
- District 15: Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River
- District 16: Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha
- District 17: Panola, Tallahatchie, Tate, Yalobusha
- District 18: Jones
- District 19: George, Greene, Jackson
- District 20: Madison, Rankin
- District 21: DeSoto
- District 22: Holmes, Humphreys, Yazoo
- District 23: Claiborne, Copiah, Jefferson
Workload varies significantly across these districts. Urban districts such as Hinds County handle a far higher case volume than rural multi-county districts, which affects staffing, resources, and how quickly cases move.
How to Find Contact Information for Your District Attorney
Once you know your district number, the most reliable source for current contact details is the Mississippi Judiciary’s circuit court page, which lists office locations and phone numbers for each district.1State of Mississippi Judiciary. Circuit Courts Several districts also run their own websites with additional information, including victim assistance programs, case updates, and forms for witness subpoenas or restitution claims.
The Mississippi Prosecutors Association maintains a directory of all district attorneys with contact information and office locations. Your county government website may list the district attorney’s office under its court or legal resources section. During election years, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website lists district attorney candidates with their qualifications, which can help you confirm who currently holds the office.
If you are not sure which district covers your county, calling your county’s circuit clerk is often the fastest route. Circuit clerks work alongside the district attorney’s office daily and can point you the right way.
What a District Attorney Handles
Mississippi district attorneys prosecute felony cases, advise law enforcement on investigations, and represent the state in criminal appeals within their circuit district. Their core function is deciding which cases to bring to trial and pursuing convictions on behalf of the public.
The state constitution requires a grand jury indictment before anyone can be tried for a felony. The district attorney presents evidence to the grand jury, which decides whether probable cause exists to formally charge a defendant. If it finds sufficient evidence, it issues an indictment; if not, it returns a “no-bill” and the case does not proceed to trial.3Mississippi Courts. Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure District attorneys have broad discretion over which cases to present and how aggressively to pursue charges, and they also have an obligation to disclose evidence that directly contradicts a defendant’s guilt.
Beyond courtroom work, district attorney offices commonly run victim assistance programs, coordinate with law enforcement on investigations, and handle restitution collection for crime victims. If you are a crime victim, contacting the district attorney’s office in your district early and asking to be placed on the notification list is the standard way to receive updates on court dates, plea discussions, and post-sentencing status changes.
Pretrial Intervention
Mississippi district attorneys also administer pretrial intervention programs under Mississippi Code Sections 99-15-101 through 99-15-127.4Justia. Mississippi Code Title 99 Chapter 15 – Pretrial Intervention Program These are prosecutor-led diversion options for certain eligible defendants and are administered at the district level, so questions about eligibility go directly to the district attorney’s office that covers your county.
State Prosecutors vs. Federal Prosecutors
This list covers state prosecutors only. Mississippi also has two federal districts, Northern and Southern, each with its own U.S. Attorney. Assistant United States Attorneys prosecute violations of federal law, not state law.5U.S. Department of Justice. Assistant United States Attorney (Civil) Federal jurisdiction typically applies when a crime crosses state lines, occurs on federal property, or involves a federal statute; matters like bank fraud, immigration offenses, large-scale drug operations, and healthcare fraud usually land in federal court.
If you are not sure which system applies, start with your local district attorney. They can redirect you to the appropriate U.S. Attorney’s office if the case involves federal law.
Filing a Complaint About a District Attorney
District attorneys are bound by the Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, which impose a higher ethical standard on prosecutors than on attorneys in private practice. A prosecutor must not pursue charges they know are not supported by probable cause, and the role is to seek justice rather than simply win convictions.6Mississippi Courts. Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct
If you believe a district attorney has engaged in misconduct, the body to contact is the Mississippi Bar, which oversees attorney discipline statewide. Complaints must be submitted in writing with specific details, including case numbers, dates, and supporting documentation. If an investigation finds merit, discipline can range from a private reprimand to suspension or disbarment. Complaints about judges go to the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance instead, so keep the two separate.
For concerns short of formal misconduct, such as disagreement with how a case is being handled or a decision not to prosecute, contact the district attorney’s office directly. Prosecutors are not required to pursue every case brought to them, but many offices will explain their reasoning if you ask.