County Elected Officials - County Constable

Summary of Office

Preserve peace and execute criminal laws of the state for the justice court.

Number to Be Elected

Number of constables determined by number of justice court districts.

Term of Office

Nominations for election to the office of circuit clerk are made via primary elections conducted by the political parties or via a petition of qualified electors. The general election for the office of circuit clerk is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of general election years. County constables are elected at-large for a 4-year term. The term of office of a constable starts on the first Monday of January after the election.

Criteria to Run

Must reside in the district from which he/she is chosen and be a qualified elector.

Duties of Office

A constable’s general duties are “to keep and preserve the peace within the county, by faithfully aiding and assisting in executing the criminal laws of the state.” In addition, the constable is required to attend the justice court of his/her district and execute all judgments in any criminal case before the court.

Additional information about this office can be found in the County Government in Mississippi book published by the Mississippi State University Extension Service Center for Government and Community Development.

Publication 3220

By Jason Camp, PhD, Extension Specialist II, Center for Government and Community Development.