Robert Helfrich at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Mississippi · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Robert Helfrich
Circuit Judge · Mississippi TWELFTH Circuit District Court
Biography
Professional career
- In 2002, Helfrich was elected Circuit Judge for Forrest and Perry counties, serving over 22 years
- As Assistant District Attorney for the 12th Circuit District, he led the 1998 prosecution of Ku Klux Klan leader Samuel Bowers for ordering the 1966 firebombing death of Civil Rights activist Vernon F. Dahmer Sr
- Began his legal career in Jackson, later moving to Hattiesburg, where he served as a public defender and assistant district attorney
Education
Additional information
- Judge Helfrich died March 31, 2026 at age 72.
- In October 2026, the Forrest & Perry Counties Intervention Court was renamed the Robert “Bob” Helfrich Intervention Court in his honor.
- Retired June 30, 2025, but continued presiding over the Forrest & Perry Counties Adult Drug Court he created in 2003.
- He later added DUI Court (2007) and Veterans Treatment Court (2011)
- He also won national recognition for his 2006 ruling exonerating Clyde Kennard, a Black man wrongfully convicted in 1960 to block his college enrollment
- Born December 28, 1953 in Columbus, Mississippi, Helfrich served in the U.S. Coast Guard before earning degrees from George Mason University and the University of Mississippi School of Law.
- He also served on the State Intervention Court Advisory Council and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
- His daughter, Courtney Helfrich, said the program was “his baby” and that he cared deeply for each participant
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Electronic Media Coverage
Statewide
Mississippi allows electronic media coverage of public judicial proceedings in appellate and trial courts of record, subject to the rules and presiding judge control.
Electronic media coverage of public judicial proceedings shall be allowed in the appellate and trial courts of record in this state subject to the conditions below.Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Presiding Judge Discretion
Statewide
The presiding Mississippi justice or judge may limit or terminate electronic coverage when necessary to protect rights, witnesses, dignity of the court, or orderly proceedings.
The presiding justice or judge has the discretion to limit or terminate electronic coverage at any time during the proceedingsMississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Advance Notice For Media
Statewide
Mississippi media representatives must provide advance notice for electronic or photographic coverage under the court rules.
Rule 5 ... requires that media representatives give at least 48 hoursMississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Mississippi Secretary of State Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Mississippi Secretary of State Judicial Directory official judicial roster ↗Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗