Mississippi does not have a single free statewide online arrest record search the way some states do. Criminal history access here runs through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the county sheriffs, and the system has a couple of notable features: misdemeanor identity information is specifically protected by state law unless the person has been formally charged, and records of arrests automatically drop from one source of public view one year after disposition. Mississippi's expungement law under Section 99-19-71 of the Mississippi Code covers non-conviction arrests, first-offense misdemeanor convictions, and one non-violent felony conviction per lifetime -- but even after expungement, employers retain the right to ask whether an expungement was granted. This guide covers the full system.
What Makes Mississippi Arrest Records Public
The Mississippi Public Records Act, codified at Mississippi Code Section 25-61-1, establishes the public's right to access government records. Criminal history records fall within this framework, and most adult criminal records in Mississippi are public.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center serves as the central repository for criminal history record information under Mississippi Code Section 45-27-1 and following. The CIC maintains a database of criminal records and provides fingerprint-based identification services to law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies. Public access to the database is available but is not a simple free online search.
Mississippi Code Section 25-1-109 provides a notable exception: law enforcement agencies are prohibited from disclosing the identity of a person arrested, cited, or held for a misdemeanor unless the person has been formally charged and arrested for the crime. This means misdemeanor arrest records have an additional layer of protection compared to felony arrest records.
One year after disposition, arrest records are automatically removed from at least one layer of public view. The underlying records may still exist at the arresting agency, but they drop from certain public databases after that period.
Exemptions also include juvenile records and expunged records.
What a Mississippi Arrest Record Contains
An arrest record is a booking document. It captures the facts of an arrest as recorded at the time of booking and carries no presumption of guilt.
A Mississippi criminal record or background check typically includes personal information such as full name, date of birth, race, and gender. It includes arrest information: the arresting agency, date of arrest, and charges. If the case went to court, case information including charges, dispositions, and convictions may be included. Sentences and incarceration history are also part of criminal history records. Traffic violations and misdemeanors may not always appear on standard criminal history checks from the state.
How to Search Mississippi Arrest Records
The MDPS Criminal Information Center processes background checks. Personal background checks can be requested by submitting a Release Background Authorization Form along with the required fee and a copy of a state ID or driver's license. The fee for a personal criminal history request from the MDPS runs approximately $30 to $50 -- confirm the current fee at the time of request. The MDPS Criminal Information Center is located at 1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216. Mailing address for record requests: Mississippi Criminal Information Center, ATTN: Record Request, P.O. Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205. Phone: 601-987-1212. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Mississippi does not have a single centralized free online statewide criminal case search open to the public for individual name-based lookups. The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system provides some online court record access for certain courts. Individual county circuit courts (felonies) and county courts (misdemeanors) maintain their own records. Checking the relevant county courthouse is the most reliable way to get case-level information.
County sheriff offices are the practical starting point for recent arrests. Mississippi has 82 counties and each county sheriff maintains local booking records. Many county sheriffs publish online inmate rosters showing current bookings. For anyone arrested in the past 24 to 72 hours, the county sheriff website or a direct call to the jail is the fastest route.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across Mississippi's 82 counties and other jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
VINELink at vinelink.com connects to the Mississippi DOC system and many county facilities and provides free real-time custody status and notification registration.
County Jail Records in Mississippi
Mississippi has 82 counties and each county sheriff manages the local jail. County jails hold people recently arrested, those awaiting trial, and individuals serving shorter sentences. Availability of online booking information varies by county.
When someone is convicted and sentenced to state prison, they enter the Mississippi Department of Corrections system. The MDOC maintains inmate records and a search tool at mdoc.ms.gov. You can search by name or MDOC number. The MDOC Records Division can be reached at 601-933-2889. MDOC also maintains a parolee search tool for individuals on parole.
Federal Arrests in Mississippi
Federal arrests in Mississippi are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations. After federal sentencing, individuals enter the Bureau of Prisons rather than the Mississippi DOC.
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the MDPS Criminal Information Center database.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. Mississippi treats them separately, with specific protections for misdemeanor arrest identity under Mississippi Code 25-1-109.
Charges can be dropped, cases dismissed, and juries acquit. The arrest entry remains in records unless expunged under Mississippi Code 99-19-71. Records that automatically drop from certain public databases after one year from disposition do not disappear entirely -- they remain at the arresting agency level.
Mississippi Expungement Under Mississippi Code 99-19-71
Mississippi's primary record-clearing remedy is governed by Mississippi Code Section 99-19-71. There is a $150 filing fee for each expungement petition. The petition is filed in the court where the case was heard.
For non-conviction arrests: Under Section 99-19-71(4), a court shall expunge the record of any case in which an arrest was made, the person was released, and the case was dismissed, charges were dropped, there was no disposition, or the person was found not guilty at trial. This category of expungement is mandatory upon petition -- the court shall grant it when the criteria are met.
For misdemeanor convictions: A first-time misdemeanor offender (excluding traffic violations) may petition for expungement. The court must find the petitioner is rehabilitated and has a good record of conduct for the past two years. Additional misdemeanor convictions may be eligible in justice or municipal court under related statutes.
For felony convictions: A person may petition to expunge one eligible felony conviction in their lifetime, five years after successfully completing all terms and conditions of the sentence, including payment of all fines. The court holds a hearing and must determine the petitioner is rehabilitated. Ineligible felonies include crimes of violence under Mississippi Code 97-3-2, first-degree arson, trafficking in controlled substances, third or subsequent DUI, felon in possession of a firearm, and failure to register as a sex offender. Public officials are not eligible for expungement of any conviction related to their official duties.
After expungement, a nonpublic record is retained by the Mississippi Criminal Information Center for the purpose of determining whether, in subsequent proceedings, the person qualifies as a first offender. Law enforcement retains access to expunged records.
One important note that sets Mississippi apart from most states: the law explicitly states that the existence of an expungement order does not prevent an employer from asking a prospective employee whether an expungement order was ever entered on their behalf. This is a meaningful limitation on the practical benefit of expungement for employment purposes.
InmateAid's guides on expungement cover Mississippi's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites after expungement is addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are Mississippi arrest records public?
Most adult criminal records in Mississippi are public under the Mississippi Public Records Act at Mississippi Code 25-61-1. However, Mississippi Code 25-1-109 protects the identity of persons arrested for a misdemeanor unless they have been formally charged. One year after disposition, records may automatically drop from certain public databases. Expunged records and juvenile records are exempt from public access.
How do I search Mississippi arrest records?
Personal background checks through the MDPS Criminal Information Center require submitting a Release Background Authorization Form with a fee (approximately $30-50) to P.O. Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205, phone 601-987-1212. For court records, check the relevant county courthouse as Mississippi lacks a single free statewide online name search. For recent arrests, check the relevant county sheriff's website or call the jail directly. For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For real-time custody status, VINELink at vinelink.com provides free notifications. For MDOC state prison inmates, use the inmate search at mdoc.ms.gov or call 601-933-2889.
What does a Mississippi arrest record contain?
A Mississippi criminal record includes personal identifying information, arrest details (arresting agency, date, charges), case information if charges were filed, dispositions, convictions, and sentences. Traffic violations and misdemeanors may not always appear in standard state criminal history checks.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in Mississippi?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. Mississippi additionally protects misdemeanor arrest identity specifically -- law enforcement cannot disclose the identity of someone arrested for a misdemeanor unless they are formally charged. Arrest entries remain in records unless expunged under Mississippi Code 99-19-71.
How do I find someone in a Mississippi county jail?
Check the county sheriff's website where the arrest occurred. Many Mississippi county sheriffs publish online booking rosters. VINELink at vinelink.com connects to many county facilities statewide. If online information is not available, call the county jail directly. For someone in state prison, use the MDOC inmate search at mdoc.ms.gov.
Can I search federal arrest records in Mississippi?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the MDPS Criminal Information Center database.
How long does an arrest stay on record in Mississippi?
Mississippi arrest records remain in law enforcement files indefinitely unless expunged. Records may automatically drop from certain public databases one year after disposition, but this does not mean the arrest is gone -- it remains at the arresting agency level. Expungement under Mississippi Code 99-19-71 is the legal path to removal for qualifying records.
Who qualifies for expungement in Mississippi?
Under Mississippi Code 99-19-71: non-conviction cases (dismissed charges, acquittals) qualify for mandatory expungement upon petition; first-time misdemeanor offenders (excluding traffic) may petition after showing rehabilitation and good conduct for two years; one non-violent felony conviction per lifetime may be expunged five years after completing all sentence terms, subject to court approval and a finding of rehabilitation. Ineligible felonies include crimes of violence, arson, drug trafficking, third-plus DUIs, felon in possession of a firearm, and failure to register as a sex offender. The filing fee for each petition is $150.
Can employers ask about expunged records in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi law explicitly states that the existence of an expungement order does not prevent an employer from asking a prospective employee whether an expungement order was ever entered on their behalf. This is a meaningful limitation that distinguishes Mississippi from states where expunged records cannot be disclosed or referenced in the employment context.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
An arrest entry is created at booking and remains in records unless expunged. Mississippi's one-year automatic drop from certain public databases may mean the record is no longer visible in some places but still exists at the arresting agency. If charges were dismissed or you were acquitted, you may qualify for mandatory expungement under Mississippi Code 99-19-71(4) -- a court shall grant this type of petition when the criteria are met. ---
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