Overview
The Youth Court handles cases involving the abuse and neglect of juveniles, as well as offenses committed by individuals under 18. Certain offenses that would be considered crimes for adults are classified as delinquent acts when such offenses are committed by minors. In Mississippi counties without a County Court, jurisdiction over Youth Court matters falls to the Chancery Court. The Chancery Judge, or Chancellor, may appoint an attorney to serve in a judicial role as Youth Court Referee. Because Clay County does not have a County Court, its Youth Court operates as part of the Clay County Chancery Court, with H. Scott Ross appointed as the Youth Court Referee.
In protection matters involving allegations of abuse or neglect, the Court appoints a Parent Representative for each parent and a Guardian ad Litem to advocate for the best interests of the child. In delinquency proceedings, the Court appoints a Public Youth Defender to represent the juvenile. Parties to a case may choose to retain private legal counsel instead of court-appointed representation, should they so desire.
Robin Brown serves as the prosecutor. Clarissa Harris serves as Guardian ad Litem and Public Youth Defender, and also acts as a backup Parent Representative when necessary. Kristen Wood Williams serves as Parent Representative and Special Master, and may serve as a backup Guardian ad Litem or Public Youth Defender in cases of unavailability or conflict. In certain protection cases, Court Appointed Special Advocates may be appointed to assist in advocating for the child’s best interests; these positions are held by Carolyn Poston and Gabriella Thompson.
Clay County Youth Court is held most Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. at the Clay County Courthouse (Upstairs Courtroom) located at the address of 365 Court Street, West Point, MS 39773.
Clay County Youth Court
365 Court Street
P.O. Box 815
West Point, MS 39773
662-494-3124
Clay County MDCPS
266 Washington Street
West Point, MS 39773
662-494-8987
To Report Abuse/Neglect:
https://reportabuse.mdcps.ms.gov/
800-222-8000
Youth Court Referee
H. Scott Ross
Court Administrator
April Edwards
aedwards@claycounty.ms.gov
Court Intake & Court Services Coordinator
(Protection Intake – Abuse/Neglect)
(Delinquency Intake – Crime)
Donni Dexter (Nikki)
ndexter@claycounty.ms.gov
Prosecutor
Robin Letrish Brown
rlbrownlaw@gmail.com
Guardian Ad Litem & Public Youth Defender
Clarissa Nicole Harris
harrislaw2016@outlook.com
Parent Representative
Kristen Wood Williams
kristen@kww-law.com
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
https://www.casams.org/
Carolyn Poston
Gabriella Thompson
DYS Counselor (Delinquency Probation & After Care Services)
Kimmie M. Walker–Jones
kimmie.jones@mdhs.ms.gov
School Attendance Officer (Clay County Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement and Dropout Prevention)
Kwamarcus Stevenson
kstevenson@mdek12.org
Bailiffs
Danny McNamee
Mike Vickers