Personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning, and civil litigation for clients in Hattiesburg and across Forrest County. Free personal injury consultations; no fee on personal injury unless we recover.
Hattiesburg is known as "The Hub City" — founded in 1882 as a railroad and lumber hub, it is now home to the University of Southern Mississippi and is the largest city in the Pine Belt. Forrest County's Circuit, Chancery, and Justice Courts are all located in Hattiesburg. Sheppard Law Firm, P.A., based on Congress Street in Jackson, represents clients in Hattiesburg in personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning, and civil matters.
Population: 48,730 (2020 Census).
Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents on Hattiesburg roads and highways; slip-and-fall; and other injury claims.
Learn more →DUI, drug charges, assault, theft, and expungements in Hattiesburg Municipal Court, Forrest County Justice Court, and Circuit Court.
Learn more →Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate filed in Forrest County Chancery Court.
Learn more →Evictions, lease disputes, and security-deposit matters for Hattiesburg renters and landlords.
Learn more →Civil disputes, contract claims, and representation in Forrest County Circuit Court.
Learn more →Breach of contract, debt matters, and business disputes across Forrest County.
Learn more →Cases arising in Hattiesburg are filed in Forrest County. Here is where those matters are heard:
Forrest County Circuit Court
12th Circuit Court District (Forrest, Perry)
630 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Circuit Clerk Gwen Wilks — (601) 582-3213
Forrest County Chancery Court
10th Chancery District (Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry)
641 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Chancery Clerk Lance Reid — (601) 545-6041
Hattiesburg Municipal Court
City of Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg Municipal Court, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Hattiesburg Municipal Court Clerk — (601) 545-4933
Forrest County Justice Court
Forrest County
700 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Justice Court Clerk Chris Selman — (601) 544-3136
Forrest County's courts are located in Hattiesburg at three separate addresses along Main Street: Circuit Court at 630 Main Street (also home to County Court), Chancery Court at 641 Main Street (Paul B. Johnson Chancery Building), and Justice Court at 700 Main Street. The City of Hattiesburg has its own Municipal Court ((601) 545-4933), which handles misdemeanor arrests and city traffic violations within the Hattiesburg city limits. Note: Forrest County's Circuit Court is in the 12th Circuit District (Forrest and Perry counties), while its Chancery Court is in the 10th Chancery District (Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, and Perry counties). Justice Court handles county-level misdemeanor charges, county traffic citations, small claims (civil actions up to $3,500), and preliminary felony matters. Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases and larger civil cases. Chancery Court handles estates, wills, divorce, custody, and land-record matters.
From Hattiesburg, take US-49 North toward Jackson. Hattiesburg is well south of Jackson, so many of our clients in this area prefer phone or virtual consultations; we are glad to accommodate either. Call 601-688-4110 to discuss your situation. Our address is 775 North Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39202. Phone and virtual consultations are also available.
It depends on the charge and the arresting agency. City misdemeanor arrests and traffic violations within the Hattiesburg city limits are generally handled in Hattiesburg Municipal Court ((601) 545-4933). County-level misdemeanor charges go to Forrest County Justice Court (700 Main Street), and felony charges are prosecuted in the Forrest County Circuit Court (630 Main Street). Bud Sheppard represents clients in all of these courts and can tell you which one your case will be in.
Estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, and probate matters in Forrest County are handled by the Forrest County Chancery Court (10th Chancery District, Chancery Clerk Lance Reid). The courthouse is at 641 Main Street in Hattiesburg. Sheppard Law Firm prepares and files probate paperwork for Forrest County families.
Yes. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee — no fee unless we recover for you. Whether your crash happened on US-49 or a Hattiesburg surface street, Bud can evaluate your claim, deal with the insurance adjuster, and file suit in the proper court if a fair settlement is not offered.
Mississippi's general statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury, but claims against a government entity can have a much shorter one-year notice deadline. Because deadlines can cut off your rights, it is best to call as soon as possible after an accident.
Whether a Mississippi DUI can be expunged depends on the specifics of the charge and your prior record, and first-offense DUIs are eligible under certain conditions. Expungement is filed in the court where the case was resolved — often Hattiesburg Municipal Court for city arrests. Bud handles expungements for Forrest County clients and can tell you whether you qualify.
Personal injury consultations are always free, and personal injury cases are contingency-fee (no fee unless we recover). For criminal defense, estate planning, and other matters, Bud offers consultations at reasonable rates. Call 601-688-4110 to discuss your situation.
Our office at 775 North Congress Street is in Jackson. Hattiesburg is well south of Jackson via US-49, far enough that many of our clients in the Pine Belt prefer phone or virtual consultations. We are glad to accommodate either.
Free consultations for personal injury cases. No fee unless we win.