What are Forrest County crime Rates?
The Forrest County Sheriff maintains statistical data of crimes in the county. The county uses the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) which is an incident-based reporting system for collecting and reporting data on crimes. Based on an analysis of FBI crime data, the chance of becoming a victim of crime in Forrest County is 1 in 37. The County has an overall crime rate of 12 per 1,000 residents, which is about 6% higher than the national average. However, violent crimes in the county are 36% lower than the national average. Forrest County is 38% safer than other U.S counties and crime decreases by approximately 14% annually.
Forrest County Criminal Records
The Forrest County Sheriff's Office is responsible for providing law enforcement services to county residents and this includes creating, maintaining, and disseminating (open) records of criminal activity within county limits. Forrest County Criminal Records contain the criminal history information of county residents and include details of criminal offenses, past and recent warrants, arrest history, etc.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Criminal Information Center through The Criminal Information Center (CIC), is responsible for maintaining and disseminating relevant information relating to crimes, criminals, and criminal activity. With the help of its various units, the CIC provides a records repository of state criminals while providing fingerprint-based identification services to law enforcement and other criminal justice entities in the State of Mississippi and throughout the United States.
The Mississippi Department of Health Criminal History Record Check Division also processes background checks, however, it is only for MSDH-licensed healthcare and child care facilities.
Where Can I Find Forrest County Sex Offender Information?
According to federal law, all states maintain a sex offender registry on all levels of government. The Mississippi Sex offender Registry Website offers a means for inquirers to search the database by an offender’s name, or obtain a list of registered offenders within a specific mile radius. It also offers a map extension to search neighborhoods throughout the state for specific locations of registered offenders.
Additionally, the Forrest county sheriff maintains an online database of registered sex offenders within the county’s limits. The county goes further to inform its citizens through this site of sex offender characteristics, how to talk to children about sensitive sex offender information, behaviors to watch and known sex offender facts specific to the country.
The county maintains and updates this registry regularly as a public service tool to keep citizens and residents of the county safe.
How do I Visit an Inmate in Forrest County Jail?
Visitors seeking an audience with an inmate at the Forrest county jail must abide strictly by the following rules;
- All visitors are subject to contraband search
- Visitors must complete the required application, and those above 18 years of age must provide a valid photo ID.
- Offensive, suggestive or revealing clothing allowed, and bags along with any electronic devices are not allowed in the facility during visitation.
- All tobacco products are prohibited within the facility.
- All visitors must call and sign up for visitation before 11:00 a.m. on the defendant's visitation day.
- All visits are restricted to 20 minutes.
- If there are any confrontations, disrespectful or inappropriate behavior from visitors, the visit will be discontinued and visitation privileges may be suspended.
Contact visits are generally not allowed unless there is direct approval of the County Sheriff.
Where and How to Find Forrest County Inmate Information
The Forrest County Jail is managed by the Jail Division of the County Sheriff's Office which maintains all jail inmate information of the Forrest County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains an inmate roaster of all inmates incarcerated in the jail. Information regarding inmates can be obtained by contacting jail staff at:
Forrest County Jail
55 Arena Dr,
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 545-6148
The Mississippi Department of Corrections website also maintains a record of inmates in the state allowing inquirers to search using names and ID numbers of inmates. The records produced also include name, inmate number, race, location, offense, length of sentence, and inmate photo.
Forrest County Court Records
Forrest county court records are official documents containing information regarding the court proceedings heard within the jurisdiction of the county. These records are maintained by the County Court Clerk and can be accessed from the clerk on request, provided the requested records are not sealed by law.
Location of all courts in Forrest county
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the Courthouses in Forrest County, Mississippi
Forrest County Circuit Court
Forrest County Courthouse
630 Main St,
P.O. Box 992,
Hattiesburg, MS 39403
Phone: (601) 582-3213
Fax: (601) 545-6065
Forrest County Chancery Court
Paul B. Johnson Chancery Building
641 N Main St,
P.O. Box 951,
Hattiesburg, MS 39403
Phone: (601) 545-6040
Fax: (601) 545-6017
County Court of Forrest County
Forrest County Courthouse
630 Main St,
P.O. Box 992,
Hattiesburg, MS 39403
Phone: (601) 582-3213
Fax: (601) 545-6065
Forrest County Youth Court
Forrest County Courthouse
630 Main St,
P.O. Box 992,
Hattiesburg, MS 39403
Phone: (601) 582-3213
Fax: (601) 545-6065
Forrest County Justice Court
700 Main St,
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Phone: (601) 544-3136
Fax: (601) 545-6114
Hattiesburg Municipal Court
200 W Pine St,
P.O. Box 1898,
Hattiesburg, MS 39403
(601) 545-4933
Petal Municipal Court
127 W 8th Ave,
Petal, MS 39465
Phone: (601) 582-5351
Fax: (601) 582-8431
Vital Records
Vital Records of all births, deaths, and marriages are filed and distributed by the Mississippi State Department of Health at the state level. Locally, the Forrest County Chancery Clerk’s Office in Hattiesburg and Vital Records Department in Jackson is tasked with maintaining vital records.
Where and How to Get Forrest County Divorce Records
MSDH's Vital Records office does not maintain divorce records. However, a five-year search of county divorce indexes is available for January 1, 1942, to present for a fee of $17. These search indexes are available to help an inquirer locate the county where the divorce decree was granted, specifically, the book and page number of where it was recorded in the Chancery Clerk’s office is available.
To acquire certified copies of divorce decrees in Forrest county, the Chancery Clerk's office will need to be contacted directly.
Where and How to Get Forrest County Marriage Records
Marriage Records in the state are maintained by state and county officials. Marriage records are available for January 1, 1926, to June 30, 1938, and for January 1, 1942, to present.
Marriage records can be requested or ordered by:
- Mail: Inquirer is expected to mail the Marriage record application form with a check or money order
- Phone from a private vital records service, using a credit card.
- In-person by visiting the Vital records Ridgeland Office at 222 Marketridge Dr during work hours. and pay by cash, check, or money order. The record will be mailed within 7 - 10 business days after the order has been placed.
- Contact Forrest County’s Circuit Clerk, provided that's where the marriage license was issued.
Where and How to Get Forrest County Birth Records and Death Records
In Mississippi, two (2) state departments manage vital records. Birth and Death records for all state counties are available from 1912 till date at the county health department and Clerk’s offices and Vital Records offices.
Records older than 1912 are available at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Forrest County Health Department
5008 Highway 42, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-0291
It should also be noted that Mississippi’s state laws don't consider birth and death certificates as open records until after 100 years and 50 years respectively. At this point, only qualified applicants are granted access.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Who Can Receive A Copy Of These Records?
The following persons are eligible to access vital records:
- The subject of the record, if of legal age.
- Parent(s) listed on the birth record
- Subject’s Spouse, sibling(s), or grandparent(s)/child(ren)
- Legal Guardian with guardianship papers as proof
- A legal representative with proof of representation
- Licensed adoption agencies
- Other people authorized by a court order with a certified copy of court order
If these records are being requested for genealogy purposes, then, this must be stated as the purpose of the certificate. For this purpose, however, plain paper copies will be provided, not certified copies. Applicants relationship must also be provided with an acceptable form of identification such as;
- Driver’s License
- State Issued ID
- Employment ID
- School, College or University ID
- US Military ID
- Tribal ID
- Alien Registration/Permanent Resident Card
- Temporary Resident Card
- US Passport
