Are Arrest Records Public in Mississippi?
Not all arrest records are public in Mississippi. While the general public can access some arrest record information at any local law enforcement agency, actual arrest records are part of an individual's permanent criminal history record. Records that are part of a person's criminal history cannot be accessed outside of law enforcement, and there is no way for an individual to access their own record without a court order. Additionally, any record of an arrest is automatically removed from public view one year after disposition.
An individual cannot be arrested without any criminal charges. Therefore, removing an arrest record will not change that and does not restore civil rights to the person who was arrested.
The public information available on file at a local law enforcement agency does not include:
- All arrests and incidents reported to the police department
- Allegations of criminal activity
- Charges that were filed but later dismissed
- Convictions for which an individual was granted a pardon or had civil rights restored
- Any arrest that did not result in a conviction
- Traffic and traffic-related incidents and accidents
What is Considered an Arrest Record in Mississippi
A Mississippi arrest record is a documented history of events that lead to an individual's most recent and past arrests. Mississippi Arrest Records are documents filed by Mississippi law enforcement after an individual has been arrested. They include information such as fingerprints, photographs, and criminal charges that result from arrests.
Arrest record information is typically featured in Mississippi criminal records and the record-holder's criminal history (where applicable). However, the generation of an arrest record does not imply that the record-holder is guilty of a crime. In some cases, persons who are arrested are neither convicted nor prosecuted. The provisions for disseminating Mississippi arrest records are outlined in Mississippi’s state statutes.
A Mississippi arrest search allows the public to obtain information about arrests in the state. Interested parties can conduct such a search by submitting a query in person or via mail to the relevant office. Arrest records are generally available to the public upon request, although there may be certain exceptions in cases such as those involving juvenile offenses. To conduct an arrest search in Mississippi, inquirers are commonly required to provide the person's full name and date of birth, along with any other identifying information that may be relevant.
What Shows Up in a Mississippi Arrest Record?
Mississippi arrest records usually feature the arrestee's personal information such as full name, date of birth, race, sex, social security number, physical description, addresses for the past five years, and a recent photograph. The records also contain information about the arrestee's alleged offense and arrest warrant information (where applicable).
Who Can Access Mississippi Arrest Records?
Pursuant to Mississippi state statutes, Mississippi arrest records are selectively available to anyone who wants to view them. This includes employers, family members, and the general public. Employers with reasonable suspicion that their employees were involved in a crime can also access these records.
Mississippi Arrest Statistics
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety provides access to arrest statistics via its Crime Statistics portal.In 2022, Mississippi had a total of 7,865 arrests for violent crimes, with 6,281 males and 1,584 females being arrested. The age group with the highest number of arrests was 18-24 years old, with 2,922 arrests. The most common type of violent crime was aggravated assault, with 4,630 arrests. For property crimes in Mississippi in 2022, there were a total of 17,521 arrests, with 12,407 males and 5,114 females being arrested. The age group with the highest number of arrests was 18-24 years old, with 6,739 arrests. The most common type of property crime was larceny-theft, with 10,986 arrests.
In terms of society crimes in Mississippi in 2022, there were a total of 21,208 arrests, with 16,269 males and 4,939 females being arrested. The age group with the highest number of arrests was 18-24 years old, with 9,592 arrests. Drug offenses were the most common type of society crime, with 16,472 arrests.
How Do I Lookup Someone's Arrest Records in Mississippi?
Interested members of the public may look up Mississippi arrest records by contacting the office of the sheriff in the county where the arrest was made. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety also keeps a central database of all arrests made statewide available to the public.
The detailed process for requesting arrest records from a sheriff's office is as follows:
- The requestor may contact the sheriff's office in person, online or via mail
- Mail-in requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with a return address indicated
- The requestor must provide the name of the person they are requesting records for as well as the date of the arrest
- There may be a fee associated with obtaining the records
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains a central database of all arrests made in the state. The department's website has a searchable database of arrests. The site also offers an online form to request arrest records. There is no fee to use either the searchable database or the online form.
To search using the database, the requesting party must provide the name of the person they are requesting records for. The database will return results that include the person's name, date of birth, race, sex, and charges. To request records using the online form, the requestor must provide their name, contact information, and the reason for their request. They will also need to indicate whether they are requesting records for themselves or someone else
How to Find Recent Arrests in Mississippi
To find recent arrest information for a particular county in Mississippi, refer to the local county sheriff's office or jail.
Inquirers may visit the Hinds County Sheriff's Office website to access recent arrest record information via the inmate search tool. With the tool, users can search for currently detained or recently released persons. The search criteria are by name, city, or pin number. The search result typically reveals an inmate’s mugshot, full name, address, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, arresting agency, arrest date, charges, pin number, and location.
Similarly, recent arrest information can be retrieved via the inmate search tool the Harrison County Sheriff's Office provides. To begin a search, requesters must enter a name to search. At least two characters must be provided in the “Last Name” field. Alternatively, the requester can review the jail docket list beneath the search area to access an arrestee’s details.
Are Arrest Reports Public in Mississippi?
Arrest reports are official documents law enforcement officials create after an individual is arrested. The reports contain various information related to the arrest, including the reason for the arrest, the location and time of the arrest, and personal information about the person who was arrested. Additionally, an arrest report may include details about any witnesses to the incident, any evidence collected at the scene of the arrest, and whether the person arrested made any statements at the time of their apprehension. Arrest reports differ from arrest records, which are more comprehensive documents containing information about an individual’s arrest history or details of persons arrested within Mississippi.
Arrest reports serve as a significant official record of an arrest and can be utilized as evidence in court. Law enforcement agencies and background check companies may also use them to understand a person's criminal background better and make informed decisions about matters such as employment and housing.
In Mississippi, arrest reports are typically heavily regulated and may not be publicly disseminated, while arrest records are considered public information.
How to Subpoena Arrest Records in Mississippi
An inquiry into the sealed records of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) requires the inquirer to be issued a subpoena.
Interested and eligible persons can order this document through their local Circuit Clerk's office.
To serve a request, the clerk's office needs a written statement asking for this particular document per Mississippi Code § 45-61-13.
The requestor must have in their possession:
- An original and two copies of a properly executed affidavit in support in form PSC
- An original and two copies of the subpoena form PSC
- A check made payable to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation in the amount of $25.00 per name requested, or up to four specific names on one request for $5 per name requested.
The requests must then be submitted to the Circuit Clerk's office, and the requestor will be served the subpoena directly from MBI.
How to Search for an Inmate in the Mississippi Prison System
To search for an inmate in the Mississippi prison system, the requesting party will need to use one of three options.
- Inquirers may visit the Mississippi prison website, choose "Inmate Lookup, " and enter the last name and number. In this option, users will only be able to look up with the county of conviction.
- They may search using a third-party site and search with the inmate's full name or part if it is unknown. Third-party sites provide the inmate's name, photo, age, sex, arrest date, and offenses for a small search fee.
- The last way is by going directly through the Mississippi Department of Corrections Inmate Search link. On this site, inquirers will need to enter the inmate's name or state I.D. This is the only option that does not require a fee, and it provides complete information about the inmate for free.
How Long Do Mississippi Arrest Records Stay on File?
Arrest records remain on file with the state police - even if arrests don't lead to convictions. However, Arrests not related to a crime committed in Mississippi may not appear on state records.
To check for an arrest record, especially if arrests were made in another state or county, contact the Mississippi State Bureau of Investigation at (800) 227-5764. Arrest records dating back seven years remain on file with this agency, and each request to check the records costs $10. Arrests older than seven years aren't available through this agency. Arrests that don't lead to conviction or arrests never filed as a crime may not appear on Mississippi arrest records even if the state police have them on file.
How to Obtain Arrest Records for Free in Mississippi?
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS) keeps a central database of all criminal records in the state available to the public. Interested persons can access the MDPS website and search for arrests by name, date of birth, race, and gender.
Another way to obtain arrest records for free in Mississippi is through the county sheriff's office. Each county sheriff's office keeps its own records of arrests made within its jurisdiction. To find out if the sheriff's office in a county offers this service, inquirers can check their website or call them directly.
How to Search for a Mississippi Arrest Record Online Using a Third-Party Search Service
Third-party search services scour public records databases and compile information from various sources. This means that users can find information on inmates outside Mississippi.
When choosing a third-party search service, it's essential to choose one reputable and has a good track record.
Upon finding a reputable third-party search service, simply enter the name of the person into the search engine. In most cases, users will be able to view the person's arrest record within minutes. These records will include information on the charges, the date of arrest, and the outcome of the case.
How to Correct an Arrest Record in Mississippi?
When a record-holder finds that their arrest records have a mistake in Mississippi, they can file a petition to have the information reviewed. To do so, the record-holder must file a Petition to Review with the Criminal Records Section of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The individual must also provide documentation that supports their claim that there is an error in the record.
If the petition is approved, the Department of Public Safety will correct the mistake and send a written notification to the agency that originally submitted the inaccurate information. If they have been denied a job or housing because of an incorrect arrest record, they may also want to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the Mississippi Human Rights Commission.
How to Expunge Arrest Records in Mississippi
To be eligible for expungement in Mississippi, the individual must meet the following criteria:
- The charges must have been dismissed, or they must have been found not guilty at trial.
- They must not have any other pending criminal charges.
- They must not have any prior convictions on their record.
If they meet the above criteria, they can begin the expungement process by filing a petition with the court where their case was adjudicated.
The court will then set a hearing date, and the individual must notify the district attorney's office of the hearing.
At the hearing, the judge will determine whether or not to grant the expungement.
If it is granted, the individual's record will be sealed, and they will no longer have to disclose their arrest to potential employers or landlords.
