--- title: "Robert Helfrich | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-helfrich-circuit-judge-mississippi-twelfth-circuit-district-court-twelfth-circuit-district-ms" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Robert Helfrich Mississippi TWELFTH Circuit District Court · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: Mississippi TWELFTH Circuit District Court - State: Mississippi - Role: Circuit Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic media coverage Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### presiding judge discretion Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: The presiding justice or judge has the discretion to limit or terminate electronic coverage at any time during the proceedings [Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### advance notice for media Scope: statewide Mississippi media representatives must provide advance notice for electronic or photographic coverage under the court rules. Evidence excerpt: Rule 5 ... requires that media representatives give at least 48 hours [Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf) - [Mississippi Secretary of State Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://www.sos.ms.gov/content/documents/ed_pubs/pubs/2026JD/JD%20and%20Court%20Calendar%202026.pdf) - [Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-helfrich-circuit-judge-mississippi-twelfth-circuit-district-court-twelfth-circuit-district-ms", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-helfrich-circuit-judge-mississippi-twelfth-circuit-district-court-twelfth-circuit-district-ms", "name": "Robert Helfrich | KnowJudges", "description": "Robert Helfrich, Mississippi TWELFTH Circuit District Court. 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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