Mississippi Arrest Record Search: Know Which System Has the Record
Mississippi arrest information is divided among county sheriffs, municipal police departments, the state Criminal Information Center, the Department of Corrections and individual courts. A person who was arrested this morning may appear in a county jail but not in MDOC, while a statewide criminal-history request follows an entirely different process.
This guide brings the important rules, fees, response deadlines, search methods, court routes, victim-notification options and 2026 expungement changes into one page. Use an outside government system only when the final live lookup, filing or submission must be completed there.
Start with the county sheriff or arresting agency.
CIC authorized background check: $32.
Search MDOC by name or MDOC ID.
$10 annual registration + $0.20/page usage.
7-working-day response rule; 14-day outer production rule generally applies.
Choose the Mississippi search that answers your question
Start with the county sheriff, county detention center or municipal police department where the arrest happened.
Use the Mississippi Criminal Information Center authorization process rather than a jail roster.
Search Mississippi Department of Corrections by name or MDOC identification number.
Search the appropriate criminal court and obtain the disposition when formal proof is needed.
Mississippi does not have one public database for every arrest record
Several statewide systems exist, but they answer different questions. Confusing them can make a valid record appear to be missing.
| System | What it covers | What it does not replace |
|---|---|---|
| County jail / sheriff roster | Current or previous local booking information, depending on the county. | Statewide criminal history or final court disposition. |
| Municipal police records | Reports created by a city police department. | Sheriff records from another agency or MDOC. |
| Mississippi CIC | Official state criminal-history repository information through authorized processes. | A free anonymous county jail lookup. |
| MDOC | People under Mississippi state correctional custody or supervision. | A county jail search after a fresh arrest. |
| PAMEC / local court | Court filings and dockets in participating Mississippi Electronic Courts. | The underlying police incident report. |
| DPS Public Arrest Data | Annual statistical arrest abstracts compiled from Mississippi Criminal History System data. | An individual name-based arrest search. |
How to find someone arrested recently in Mississippi
How to interpret a Mississippi jail or booking record
| Field | Meaning | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| Booking number | Identifier assigned to a particular jail intake. | Use it when contacting the jail or comparing multiple arrests. |
| Arrest date | Date associated with the law-enforcement arrest. | Compare it with booking date and known event timing. |
| Booking date | When the person entered the detention booking process. | Use it to separate current custody from older arrests. |
| Arresting agency | Agency whose officer or deputy made the arrest. | Request the incident or arrest report from this agency. |
| Charge | Allegation recorded during arrest or intake. | Check the later court filing because charges can change. |
| Bond | Release condition or amount presently associated with the matter. | Confirm every charge and hold before arranging payment. |
| Hold / detainer | Another agency or jurisdiction may have custody interest. | Ask whether the hold prevents release after local bond. |
| Case number | Identifier used by the relevant court. | Use it to search court records and request a disposition. |
| Release date | The listed custody episode ended. | Do not interpret release as dismissal or acquittal. |
| Mugshot | Booking photograph taken in connection with detention. | Never use the image alone to establish identity or guilt. |
No Mississippi arrest result found? Check these causes
How to obtain an arrest or incident report from law enforcement
Mississippi law makes an important distinction between an incident report and an investigative report. This distinction often determines what a police or sheriff’s department will release.
The basic non-investigative record may include the identity of each person charged or arrested and the time, date and location of the alleged offense, along with other qualifying incident information. An incident report is not automatically exempt as an investigative record.
Material beyond the basic incident report can be exempt, including information tied to an ongoing investigation, confidential sources, investigative techniques, witness safety, fair-trial concerns and related law-enforcement interests.
Mississippi response timeline
Fees the agency may charge
- Fees generally cannot exceed the actual cost of searching, reviewing, duplicating and mailing the requested records.
- Personnel costs should be based on the lowest-level employee or contractor competent to perform the task.
- An agency may require payment in advance.
- A narrowly written electronic request can reduce staff time, copying and mailing expense.
What to put in your request
What to do when a Mississippi agency refuses an arrest record
Jackson, MS 39211
Jackson, MS 39225
info@ethics.state.ms.us
Mississippi CIC background check: requirements, fee and processing
The Mississippi Criminal Information Center, part of the Department of Public Safety, maintains the state criminal-record repository. Its public authorization process is substantially different from casually typing someone’s name into a jail roster.
$32 money order.
Form states up to 30 days.
Name-based or fingerprint-based.
State ID or driver license copy required.
Signature and notary section required.
Information requested on the official form
Where to send the completed packet
Pearl, MS 39208
Include the completed authorization form, required ID copy and a $32 money order.
Sending the result to somebody else
The official form contains fields for a third-party recipient. If the result should be released to another person or organization, complete the third-party name and mailing-address fields. A separate field is provided when fax delivery is requested.
Relies on demographic identifiers supplied for the search. Similar names, aliases and incorrect identifying data can create matching problems.
Uses biometric identity. Mississippi’s AFIS system links arrest information to a fingerprint identity even when aliases or other identifying information differ.
Normal business hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Pearl, MS 39208
How to interpret a Mississippi statewide criminal-history result
The state repository is designed to connect criminal-history information reported by Mississippi criminal-justice agencies. It should still be read together with the underlying court disposition when the exact outcome matters.
| Situation | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest appears with no clear disposition | The repository may not reflect a later court result clearly enough for your purpose. | Obtain a certified disposition from the court and contact CIC if state history needs correction. |
| Two similar names appear | A name-based match may not establish identity. | Use date of birth, other identifiers or fingerprint-based verification. |
| Local court shows dismissal | The arrest history and court disposition are different pieces of the record. | Preserve the certified dismissal and determine whether correction or expungement is appropriate. |
| Expected arrest is missing | Reporting, matching, jurisdiction or record-restriction issues may exist. | Verify the arrest with the local agency and court before assuming it never occurred. |
| Record was expunged | CIC processes expunction orders and removes qualifying offenses from the public Mississippi rap sheet while retaining only records authorized by law. | Keep the certified expungement order in case another database requires correction. |
When to use the Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate search
MDOC is the correct system when the person is a Mississippi state offender. It is generally not the first place to look for someone arrested yesterday and still awaiting local court proceedings in a county jail.
| Field | Practical meaning |
|---|---|
| MDOC ID | State correctional identification number. |
| Date of birth / sex / race | Identity-comparison information. |
| Physical description | Height, weight, complexion, build, hair and eye information may be displayed. |
| Entry date | Date associated with entry into the MDOC record. |
| Current location / unit | Present correctional assignment shown by MDOC. |
| Offense | Offense connected with the state sentence. |
| County of conviction | County connected with the conviction underlying that sentence. |
| Sentence length / sentence date | Information about the imposed state sentence. |
| Tentative release date | Projected date when provided; it should not be treated as an immutable guarantee. |
How to request Mississippi Department of Corrections records
301 North Lamar Street
Jackson, MS 39201
MDOC response and fee rules
| Issue | MDOC published rule |
|---|---|
| Request method | Written request; MDOC directs users to its GovQA request process. |
| Initial response | MDOC states it responds in writing within seven working days. |
| Cost estimate | When records are releasable, MDOC provides an estimate when costs apply. |
| Production | Policy generally provides for production no later than 14 working days from the request or required payment, subject to circumstances requiring additional time. |
| Copies | $0.15 per page for non-public-body requesters. |
| Staff time | When search, research, review, duplication, redaction or separation exceeds one hour, time beyond the first hour may be charged using the lowest-paid qualified available employee. |
| Mailing | Mailing costs may be charged. |
| Advance payment | MDOC may require payment before production. |
Which Mississippi court has the criminal case?
The 2026 Mississippi Judicial Directory shows several trial-court systems with different criminal jurisdiction. The correct court depends on the charge and where the matter was filed.
| Court | 2026 directory count | Criminal role | When to check it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Court | 82 courts / 198 judges | Limited criminal jurisdiction. | County-level misdemeanor or preliminary matters within its jurisdiction. |
| Municipal Court | 239 courts / 207 judges | Municipal ordinance violations and limited criminal jurisdiction. | Arrest or citation originated within a city and remains in municipal court. |
| County Court | 24 counties / 34 judges | Limited criminal jurisdiction and other assigned matters. | The county has a County Court and the case falls within its jurisdiction. |
| Circuit Court | 23 districts / 57 judges | General criminal jurisdiction. | Felony and other criminal matters within Circuit Court jurisdiction. |
What to ask the clerk for
Mississippi PAMEC fees and search rules
Public Access to Mississippi Electronic Courts provides online access to electronic court records for courts that have implemented the MEC system. It is not guaranteed to contain every Mississippi court case.
Current annual PAMEC registration fee.
Usage charge based on pages generated by the search.
A no-result search is charged as one page.
Usage statements are issued quarterly.
What “20 cents per page” means
The fee is based on the number of pages generated by the search—not only the pages you decide to print or download. A broad search can therefore cost more than a precise case-number search.
Registration and payment
- Attorney and non-attorney users currently pay the $10 annual registration fee.
- Online debit card, credit card or electronic-check payment generally allows same-day access after successful processing.
- A third-party processing fee applies to online payment.
- Paper-check registration takes longer because access begins after payment is received and processed.
helpdesk@mec.ms.gov
Jackson, MS 39205
Do not stop at the arrest charge—find the final disposition
| Term | Plain-language meaning | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | The case has not reached a final outcome. | Newest docket entry and next court event. |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor formally declined to pursue the charge at that point. | Which counts and defendants the filing covers. |
| Dismissed | The charge or case was dismissed. | Whether all counts were dismissed and whether expungement is available. |
| Not guilty / acquitted | The defendant was not convicted of the resolved count. | Whether any additional count remained. |
| Guilty / conviction | A conviction was entered. | Judgment, sentence and exact statute. |
| Expunged | A court granted statutory relief directing qualifying records to be removed or restricted as Mississippi law provides. | Keep the certified order and confirm the agencies processed it. |
| Warrant / capias entry | The docket reflects court enforcement activity. | Current status directly with the issuing court or law-enforcement agency. |
Mississippi warrant searches: what the public can and cannot search
Mississippi criminal-justice agencies exchange wanted-person and warrant information through systems connected with the Mississippi Justice Information Center and FBI NCIC. Those law-enforcement systems are not a general public statewide warrant-search website.
For a specific possible warrant, contact the sheriff, police department or court that may have issued or received it.
The state publishes selected wanted fugitives. It should not be interpreted as a complete list of every active warrant.
A criminal case may contain warrant-related entries, but current enforcement status should still be confirmed with the issuing authority.
Mississippi Sex Offender Registry is not an arrest-record search
Mississippi’s public Sex Offender Registry is a conviction-and-registration system. It should not be used as a substitute for a general arrest search or criminal-history report.
The public registry allows searching registered offenders by name.
Public searches can use geographic information such as ZIP code, municipality, county or qualifying radius options.
Public information may include photo, aliases, residence and qualifying conviction information.
Mississippi SAVIN: release, transfer and escape alerts
Mississippi’s Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification program—SAVIN—connects with participating county jails and Mississippi Department of Corrections offenders.
Registration is available not only to direct victims but also to the public, relatives, friends, neighborhood groups, schools, businesses and service providers.
Release, transfer, facility movement, return to custody, escape and qualifying supervision changes can generate notifications.
The program includes a Registration Link designed to carry a registration forward when an offender moves from participating county custody into MDOC or other connected custody.
English and Spanish support.
Business-hours assistance.
For direct victims involving MDOC state offenders.
Mississippi expungement rules after the July 1, 2026 changes
First-offender misdemeanor conviction
A first offender convicted of a misdemeanor that is not a traffic violation may petition the justice, county, circuit or municipal court in which the conviction occurred to seek expungement under the applicable statute.
Eligible felony conviction: three-year waiting period
Current law effective July 1, 2026 reduced the statutory waiting period for the primary eligible-felony provision. A qualifying petitioner who has paid criminal fines and court costs may petition the court of conviction for one conviction three years after successful completion of all terms and conditions of the sentence.
Felony convictions excluded from this primary provision
- Crime of violence under Mississippi Code §97-3-2
- First-degree arson
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Witness intimidation
- Trafficking in controlled substances
- Third, fourth or subsequent DUI offenses covered by the statute
- Failure to register as a sex offender
- Voyeurism
- Felony procuring prostitution
- Promoting prostitution
- Specified abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable person
- Specified embezzlement offenses
- A public official is not eligible for expungement of a conviction related to official duties
Procedure for an eligible felony petition
Arrest with dismissal, dropped charge, no disposition or not-guilty result
Mississippi law also provides relief when an arrest was made and the person was released and the case was dismissed, charges were dropped, there was no disposition, or the person was found not guilty. Upon a qualifying petition, the justice, county, circuit or municipal court is directed by the statute to expunge the qualifying case.
What happens at the state repository?
Mississippi CIC processes expunction orders and removes qualifying offenses from the Mississippi criminal-history record as required. The statute permits CIC to retain a nonpublic record for limited purposes such as determining first-offender status, and prosecutors may retain nonpublic law-enforcement information as authorized by law.
Where to correct an inaccurate Mississippi record
| Error | Office to contact | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong local booking detail | Sheriff or jail maintaining the booking | Booking number, ID, correct biographical proof and explanation. |
| Incorrect police incident information | Arresting law-enforcement agency | Incident number and official documents proving the disputed fact. |
| Wrong court disposition | Clerk or court maintaining the case | Case number, filed orders and certified disposition. |
| State criminal history missing disposition | Mississippi Criminal Information Center | Certified disposition or expungement/correction order and identifying information. |
| Wrong MDOC custody information | Mississippi Department of Corrections | MDOC ID, identifying information and supporting records. |
Mississippi arrest and criminal-record contacts
| Need | Agency | Contact / action |
|---|---|---|
| Official Mississippi criminal history | Criminal Information Center | 601-933-2600 |
| CIC background-check packet | Mississippi Bureau of Investigation / CIC | 3891 Highway 468 West, Pearl, MS 39208 |
| State inmate / MDOC record | Mississippi Department of Corrections | 601-359-5600 |
| Electronic court-access help | PAMEC Help Desk | 601-576-4650 |
| Public Records Act dispute | Mississippi Ethics Commission | 601-359-1285 |
| Statewide custody notifications | MS SAVIN | 1-888-9-MSSAVIN |
| MDOC victim services | MDOC Division of Victim Services | 601-359-5628 |
| State Most Wanted tip | Mississippi Crime Stoppers | 1-888-827-4637 |
Mississippi Criminal Information Center in Pearl
Pearl, MS 39208
Completed authorization form, identification copy and $32 money order are mailed to this CIC address under the current official form instructions.
What should you do with the information you found?
Confirm local custody, save the booking number, identify the arresting agency and check bond or hold status.
Request the incident report from the agency that made the arrest rather than from MDOC or the court.
Use the CIC authorization process and choose fingerprint-based verification when identity certainty is important.
Search the correct court and obtain a certified disposition for formal use.
Register with Mississippi SAVIN/VINE rather than repeatedly checking jail websites manually.
Obtain the disposition and review whether correction or Mississippi expungement applies.
How this Mississippi guide was built
The procedures above were extracted from current Mississippi Department of Public Safety and Criminal Information Center materials, the official CIC background authorization form, the Mississippi Ethics Commission’s Public Records Act guidance, Mississippi Department of Corrections policies, Mississippi SAVIN information, Mississippi Electronic Courts rules, the Secretary of State’s 2026 Judicial Directory and the 2026 expungement legislation.
Search limits, fees, addresses, response periods, court roles and application requirements are explained here instead of hidden behind “learn more” links.
External buttons are primarily for live inmate searches, background-check forms, PAMEC registration, SAVIN enrollment or official submissions.
Custody, warrants, court dockets, fees and legal eligibility should be reconfirmed at the point of action.
Mississippi arrest and criminal-record questions answered
Is there one statewide Mississippi arrest search?
No. Local jail records, CIC criminal history, MDOC state custody and court records are separate systems. Start with the system that matches the user’s actual need.
How do I find someone arrested today in Mississippi?
Identify the arrest county and law-enforcement agency, then check the sheriff or detention facility. Search broadly by surname and confirm the booking date and other identifiers.
How much is the official Mississippi CIC background check?
The current official authorization form instructs applicants to include a $32 money order with the completed packet.
How long can a CIC background check take?
The official CIC authorization form states that background checks may take up to 30 days.
Is Mississippi DPS Public Arrest Data a person search?
No. It publishes annual statistical arrest abstracts from Mississippi Criminal History System data. It is not an individual name-based booking lookup.
How do I search a Mississippi state prison inmate?
Use MDOC and search by first name, last name or MDOC ID. For a new county arrest, start with the local jail instead.
How quickly must Mississippi respond to a public-record request?
Agency procedures generally cannot allow production or denial later than seven working days. When more time is required, the agency must explain why in writing, and the law generally sets a 14-working-day outer production period absent specified circumstances or agreement.
Can a Mississippi police department withhold the entire incident report?
An incident report is legally distinguished from exempt investigative material. An agency may redact exempt portions, but nonexempt material should be released rather than automatically withholding the entire record solely because law enforcement created it.
How much does PAMEC cost?
Current public registration costs $10 annually, and usage is charged at $0.20 per page generated by a search. A no-match search is charged as one page.
Is Mississippi’s Most Wanted a complete warrant search?
No. It is a selected fugitive list, not a statewide database of every active warrant. Confirm a specific possible warrant with the issuing sheriff, police department or court.
How can I get Mississippi inmate release alerts?
Register with Mississippi SAVIN/VINE. The 24-hour statewide help number is 1-888-9-MSSAVIN, and notifications can include qualifying release, transfer, escape and custody changes.
Did Mississippi change felony expungement rules in 2026?
Yes. Current law effective July 1, 2026 reduced the primary waiting period for an eligible felony petition from five years to three years after successful completion of all sentence terms and conditions, subject to statutory eligibility rules and exclusions.