Is there one free statewide Mississippi arrest-record search?

No. County jails maintain most current booking records, police and sheriff departments maintain arrest reports, local courts maintain criminal cases, the Mississippi Department of Corrections maintains state-offender records and the Criminal Information Center maintains the state criminal-history repository.

How do I find someone in a Mississippi county jail?

Identify the county where the person was arrested and use that county sheriff's official jail roster or inmate locator. If the county does not publish an online roster, call the detention center with the person's full name, date of birth and approximate arrest date.

How do I search Mississippi criminal court records?

Identify the court that handled the case. Municipal and justice courts commonly handle misdemeanors and initial proceedings, while circuit courts handle felony prosecutions. Participating courts can be searched through Public Access to Mississippi Electronic Courts, and records can also be requested directly from the appropriate court clerk.

How much does Mississippi Electronic Courts access cost?

Public Access to Mississippi Electronic Courts currently requires a 10 dollar annual registration fee. Access charges are 20 cents per page generated by a search, even when the user does not view, print or download every page. A search with no matches is billed as one page.

How much is a Mississippi personal criminal background check?

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety currently charges 32 dollars for a personal name-based criminal background check. Online payment accepts major credit or debit cards. The mailed authorization form requires a 32 dollar money order, a copy of the requester's state identification or driver's license and a notarized signature.

Can I use the Mississippi background-check portal to search another person?

No. The state portal warns that it is for obtaining the requester's own criminal background information. Misusing it to obtain another person's record can result in criminal prosecution, and businesses or third parties cannot use the portal to submit employee or customer checks.

How do I correct an inaccurate Mississippi criminal record?

Identify whether the error originated with the arresting agency, court clerk, county jail, MDOC or Mississippi Criminal Information Center. Obtain the controlling arrest report or certified court disposition, request correction from the originating agency and then provide the corrected documentation to each repository still displaying the error.

Mississippi Arrest Records Search | Criminal Records Mississippi Arrest Records Search

Q: How do I search Mississippi arrest records?

Start with the sheriff or county jail in the county where the arrest occurred. Search the person's last name, open each possible booking and verify the date of birth, booking number, arrest date and arresting agency. Then search the correct municipal, justice, county or circuit court for the filed charges and final disposition.

Q: How do I find a Mississippi state prisoner?

Use the official Mississippi Department of Corrections Inmate Search. Search by first and last name or MDOC identification number. A result can show the person's identity information, current location, unit, offenses, county of conviction, sentence dates and tentative release date.

Record ownership

One Mississippi arrest can create five separate records

COUNTY JAIL Booking and custody

Booking number, intake charges, current housing, bail, holds, release and visitation routing.

Best for: Is the person held now?

POLICE OR SHERIFF Arrest report

Officer narrative, probable-cause facts, report numbers, property and releasable supplements.

Best for: What did officers report?

LOCAL COURT Criminal case

Filed charges, hearings, warrants, plea, dismissal, judgment, sentence and final disposition.

Best for: How did the case end?

MDOC State correctional record

MDOC number, state facility, conviction county, sentence, offenses and tentative release information.

Best for: Is the person in state custody?

DPS / CIC State criminal history

Arrests and dispositions submitted to Mississippi’s central criminal-record repository.

Best for: What appears on my Mississippi history?

Go directly to the Mississippi task

Complete search sequence

How to search Mississippi arrest and criminal records

Identify the place of arrest Determine the city and county where law enforcement took the person into custody. Do not search only the person’s home county.

Identify the arresting agency Determine whether the arrest involved city police, a county sheriff, Mississippi Highway Patrol, MBI, campus police or federal officers.

Search the county jail Look for Inmate Search, Jail Roster, Current Inmates, Detention Center or Booking Search on the official sheriff or county website.

Start with the surname Add the first name, date of birth or booking number only when the broad search produces too many results.

Allow time for intake A new booking can be delayed by transportation, fingerprints, identification, medical screening, property inventory and data entry.

Verify the correct person Match the birth date, middle name, booking date, arresting agency, photograph and official identifiers.

Save every number Record the booking number, inmate number, agency report number, citation number, court case number and MDOC number when available.

Read all charges and holds A single booking can contain several allegations, bench warrants, probation matters or outside detainers.

Identify the court Determine whether the matter is in municipal, justice, county or circuit court.

Find the formal filing Compare the court complaint, information or indictment with the original booking charge.

Locate the disposition Find the dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal, plea, conviction, judgment or sentence for every count.

Request missing documents Obtain the arrest report or certified disposition only after identifying the specific document and correct custodian.

Recent county bookings

Find someone held in a Mississippi county jail

Mississippi’s MDOC inmate search is not a replacement for county jail searches. A recently arrested person can remain in county custody without appearing as an MDOC state inmate.

Find the county government or sheriff Use the official 2026 State and County Directory when you do not know the sheriff’s contact information. Open the Mississippi State and County Directory

Open the sheriff or detention-center page Look for an official .gov, .us or county-controlled website.

Choose the inmate or roster function Common labels include Current Inmates, Jail Docket, Inmate Roster, Booking Search or Detention Center.

Search the surname first Test alternate spellings, maiden names, hyphens, aliases and suffixes when needed.

Match the date of birth A common name or photograph is not a sufficient identity check.

Save the booking number Use it when asking about bail, housing, visits, mail, calls or commissary.

Call when no online roster exists Give the full legal name, date of birth and approximate arrest date. Ask whether the person is booking, held, released or transferred.

Search SAVIN/VINE Participating Mississippi county jails can provide automated custody-status notifications. Open Mississippi VINE custody search

County-jail call script

I am trying to confirm the booking and custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency] in [city]. Can you confirm whether the person is being booked, currently held, released, transferred or listed under another name or booking number?

All 82 counties

Choose the county where the arrest occurred

Northwest Mississippi Benton, Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica and Yalobusha.

Northeast Mississippi Alcorn, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union.

Delta and North-Central Carroll, Grenada, Leflore, Montgomery, Sunflower, Washington and Webster.

Golden Triangle and East-Central Choctaw, Clay, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Winston and Attala.

Jackson Metro and Central Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leake, Madison, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Smith, Warren and Yazoo.

South-Central Mississippi Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pike, Simpson, Walthall and Wilkinson.

Pine Belt Covington, Forrest, Greene, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Marion, Perry and Wayne.

Gulf Coast and Southeast George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone.

County-seat warning: Ten Mississippi counties have two judicial districts or county seats. Confirm which clerk, courthouse or sheriff division maintains the particular case before mailing a request or traveling.

Access limits

Which Mississippi arrest records are publicly available?

Access depends on the custodian, record and applicable law
Record	Typical access	Common limitations	Correct action
Current county jail roster	Often searchable online or available by telephone.	Not every county publishes a live public roster.	Contact the county sheriff or detention center.
Historical booking	Varies by county.	Older records may require a written request or search fee.	Request the specific booking from the sheriff.
Arrest report	May be released in whole or part.	Active investigations, victims, juveniles and confidential material.	Request it from the arresting agency.
Booking photograph	Some counties publish mugshots; others do not.	Agency policy, investigation needs, privacy or expunction.	Check the official jail result or request policy.
Municipal or justice court case	Often available from the local clerk.	The court may not participate in statewide electronic access.	Contact the specific court clerk.
Circuit or county court case	May be available through PAMEC and the circuit clerk.	Restricted, sealed, youth and non-electronic files.	Search PAMEC or request the case from the clerk.
MDOC offender information	Public name or MDOC-number search.	Does not contain every county arrest or court document.	Use the MDOC Inmate Search.
Mississippi criminal history	Personal and authorized background-check processes.	Not an unrestricted public people-search database.	Use the appropriate DPS background-check process.
Juvenile case	Generally restricted.	Youth Court confidentiality and court orders.	Contact the Youth Court clerk or qualified counsel.
Expunged or sealed matter	Removed from ordinary public access.	Nonpublic criminal-justice records may remain.	Do not rely on an old private copy as current proof.

Booking-result decoder

Understand the fields in a Mississippi jail result

A booking field is not the same as a court finding
Field	What it identifies	What it does not prove	Next action
Booking number	One county jail intake or custody event.	The final court outcome.	Use it for jail and records questions.
Inmate or jail ID	The person’s identifier in that detention system.	A statewide identity or conviction.	Use it for mail, deposits and visits.
Arrest date	When law enforcement initiated custody.	The date of the alleged offense.	Compare it with the incident report.
Booking date	When jail intake was recorded.	When prosecutors filed charges.	Use it to separate multiple bookings.
Arresting agency	The police, sheriff or state agency responsible for the arrest.	The jail created the arrest report.	Request the report from this agency.
Booking charge	An allegation entered during arrest or intake.	The charge formally prosecuted.	Read the court complaint or indictment.
Bond or bail	A release amount or condition associated with a charge.	Payment clears every hold.	Confirm all cases and detainers first.
Hold or detainer	Another agency or court may control release.	Local bond alone will release the person.	Ask which agency owns the hold.
Release date	When the listed jail custody ended.	The case was dismissed.	Search the court disposition.
Mugshot	A photograph created during booking.	Identity by itself, prosecution or guilt.	Match official numbers and birth information.

Identity safeguard

Verify the correct person before using the record

Full first and last names match

Middle name, alias or suffix is consistent

Date of birth or age matches

Arrest date matches the known event

Arresting agency matches the location

Booking number matches another official record

Court case follows the same incident

MDOC number matches when state custody is involved

Minimum identity rule: Confirm at least two independent identifiers before sending money, publishing an accusation, contacting an employer or treating a record as belonging to a particular person.

No-result troubleshooting

No Mississippi arrest record found?

Booking is incomplete Transportation, fingerprints, identification and medical screening may delay publication.

The wrong county was searched Search the place of arrest and any county connected to an outstanding warrant.

The person is listed under another name Try former surnames, aliases, maiden names, initials, suffixes and alternate spellings.

The person was released quickly Some current-inmate rosters remove released people immediately.

The person was transferred Check another county, MDOC, a regional facility, federal custody or a medical location.

The arrest involved only a citation A citation can create a court case without an overnight jail booking.

The court filing is not visible yet Prosecutor review and court data entry can occur after the arrest.

The record is restricted Youth, sealed, expunged, victim-related and protected records may be unavailable.

Record lifecycle

Follow a Mississippi arrest to its final result

Incident and investigation The arresting agency creates incident reports, probable-cause information, property records and supplements.

Arrest and booking The county jail records identity, fingerprints, property, allegations, bond and holds.

Initial court proceedings A municipal or justice court may address misdemeanor charges, bail or a felony initial appearance.

Prosecutor review The prosecutor can file the original allegation, change it or decline prosecution.

Grand jury or formal felony filing A felony matter can proceed in circuit court through indictment or another lawful filing process.

Court proceedings The docket may contain arraignment, motions, amended charges, warrants, plea negotiations and trial.

Disposition and sentence Each count may end through dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal, plea, conviction or another order.

County or MDOC custody A sentenced person may remain locally, enter an MDOC facility, join a community work center or begin supervision.

Correction or expunction Missing dispositions can be supplied to CIC, and qualifying matters may later be expunged.

Police and sheriff reports

Request the arrest report from the correct agency

Identify who made the arrest The county jail can hold someone arrested by city police, a sheriff, MHP, MBI or another agency.

Name the documents Ask for the incident report, arrest report, probable-cause statement and identified supplements.

Use narrow identifiers Provide the full name, date, location, report number, booking number and court case number.

Request electronic delivery Digital delivery may reduce printing, mailing and staff charges.

Set a maximum cost Require approval before the agency exceeds the amount stated in the request.

Ask for the reason for redactions Request identification of the legal basis for withheld information.

Use the correct public-record portal DPS and MBI records are requested through the MDPS public-record system. Submit a Mississippi DPS public-record request

Copy-ready report request

Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, probable-cause statement and identified supplements concerning [full legal name], for the event on or about [date and time] at [location]. Known identifiers are report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount], and identify the legal basis for material withheld or redacted.

Information that may be withheld or redacted

Active investigative information

Youth Court or juvenile material

Victim and witness identifying information

Medical or mental-health information

Confidential informant information

Sensitive law-enforcement methods

Sealed or expunged records

Information protected by another state or federal law

Court router

Choose the Mississippi court that handled the case

Mississippi criminal records may begin in one court and end in another
Court	Common criminal role	Record to request	Important limitation
Municipal Court	City ordinance violations, misdemeanors and traffic matters occurring within the municipality.	Docket, complaint, judgment and disposition.	A felony can move to another court.
Justice Court	Misdemeanors, county traffic matters, initial felony proceedings and preliminary hearings.	Affidavit, warrant entries, initial disposition and bond information.	The final felony case is generally in circuit court.
County Court	Exists in certain counties and may exercise criminal jurisdiction provided by law.	Case docket, orders, judgment and appeal information.	Not every Mississippi county has a county court.
Circuit Court	Felony prosecutions and appeals from lower courts.	Indictment, docket, plea, judgment, sentence and certified disposition.	Older or non-electronic files may require the circuit clerk.
Youth Court	Juvenile delinquency and other youth matters.	Access only through authorized procedures.	Records are generally confidential.
Federal Court	Federal offenses prosecuted in the Northern or Southern District of Mississippi.	PACER docket, indictment, plea and judgment.	PAMEC does not contain federal cases.

Felony search rule: A justice-court record may show the initial arrest or preliminary hearing, while the indictment and final felony disposition appear in circuit court.

Find a Mississippi court and clerk

Mississippi Electronic Courts

Search circuit and county court cases through PAMEC

PAMEC includes cases only in courts that have adopted and implemented the Mississippi Electronic Courts system. Municipal, justice, restricted, sealed and older paper records may require direct contact with the clerk.

Identify the county and court level Determine whether you need circuit or county court records.

Create a non-attorney PAMEC account Enter accurate identity and contact information. Register for PAMEC access

Pay the annual registration fee The current non-attorney annual registration charge is $10.

Choose the correct court district Select the circuit or county court serving the county where the criminal case was filed.

Search by case number first A case number reduces same-name errors and unnecessary billable pages.

Use a narrow name and date search Add the filing year or case type when the name produces many results.

Review the docket before opening documents Find the complaint, indictment, amended charges, plea, dismissal, judgment and sentence.

Track page charges PAMEC charges $0.20 for each page generated by a search, whether or not every page is viewed or downloaded.

Remember the no-result charge A search that returns no match is billed as one page.

Contact the clerk for certification PAMEC viewing is not automatically a certified court record.

Current PAMEC access charges and rules
Item	Current rule	Practical effect
Annual account fee	$10 for attorney or non-attorney registration.	Access begins after payment is processed.
Search-page charge	$0.20 per page generated.	Narrow searches before opening broad reports.
No-match search	Charged as one page.	Check spelling, county and court before searching.
Billing	Usage is billed quarterly.	Review account statements for search charges.
Online payment	Third-party processing charge applies.	The final payment can exceed the $10 account fee.

PAMEC Help Desk
Phone: 601-576-4650
Email: helpdesk@mec.ms.gov
Mail: Mississippi Electronic Courts, P.O. Box 117, Jackson, MS 39205

Warrant verification

Check a Mississippi warrant without relying on a private list

Mississippi does not provide the public with unrestricted access to NCIC. A law-enforcement NCIC hit must be confirmed with the agency that entered the warrant before officers act on it.

Identify the issuing county or city Use a previous citation, booking, notice or known court case.

Search the newest court entries Look for bench warrant issued, capias pending, warrant returned, served, recalled or quashed.

Check municipal and justice courts A lower-court warrant may not appear in a circuit-court search.

Check the circuit court for felony matters Use the indictment or criminal case number when known.

Contact the issuing clerk or agency Ask whether the warrant is currently active and what case it belongs to.

Use a defense lawyer when the warrant concerns you Counsel can explain appearance, surrender, bail and hearing options.

Do not confront or detain anyone. A same-name result, recalled warrant or delayed docket update can create a dangerous mistake.

Warrant scam warning: Do not pay an unexpected caller through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or a text-message link. Independently call the court or law-enforcement agency.

Bail and release

Confirm every Mississippi charge and hold before paying

Recognizance

The court can release a person based on a promise to appear and stated conditions.

Cash bond

The approved amount is deposited with the proper jail or court.

Surety bond

A licensed bail agent posts the required undertaking under a written agreement.

Property bond

Real-property security may require valuation, ownership records and court approval.

Confirm the correct person Match the name, birth date and booking number.

List every charge and court case Record the bond or release condition for each count.

Identify all holds Ask about probation, parole, another county, MDOC, federal or immigration detainers.

Confirm the newest court order The amount displayed during booking can change after judicial review.

Ask where payment is accepted Confirm whether payment goes to the jail, sheriff, court clerk or approved bail agent.

Verify the payee and payment form Do not obtain a cashier’s check or money order until the office confirms the exact instructions.

Review a bail-agent agreement Obtain the premium, collateral, payment plan, forfeiture and refund terms in writing.

Keep complete proof Save the receipt, transaction number, booking information and next court date.

Bond-verification script

I am calling about booking number [number] for [full legal name]. Please confirm every active charge, current bond or release condition, every outside hold, accepted payment methods, the exact payee and whether any court or agency approval is still required before release.

County jail visitation

Schedule a county jail visit without using MDOC rules

County jails set their own schedules, visitor-approval systems, dress codes, visit lengths and video-provider fees. MDOC state-prison rules do not automatically apply to a county detainee.

Confirm current custody Recheck the county roster or VINE before creating an account or traveling.

Record the booking number and housing unit The jail may require both when scheduling.

Open the official visitation instructions Look for Inmate Services, Visitation, Video Visits or Detention Center.

Determine onsite or remote availability Some counties provide only onsite video, while others allow paid remote visits.

Create the linked provider account Use only a service linked from the official county or sheriff website.

Complete visitor approval Provide accurate identity, date-of-birth and address information.

Add minors correctly Check parent, guardian, birth-certificate and supervision requirements.

Wait for confirmation A submitted request does not necessarily mean the visit is approved.

Arrive early with original identification Leave prohibited property outside and follow search procedures.

Common county-jail visitor rules

Original government-issued photo ID

Approved appointment and visitor status

Correct jail and housing location

Compliant clothing and footwear

No phone, camera or smartwatch

No weapons, tobacco, alcohol or drugs

Constant supervision of minors

No disruptive or explicit conduct

County jail services

Verify mail, telephone and commissary rules locally

Personal mail

Confirm the exact booking name and number.
Check whether mail goes to the jail or a scanning center.
Use the required return address.
Do not send cash or original documents.

Telephone and messaging

Use only the provider linked by the jail.
Check prepaid, collect and debit options.
Assume personal calls are monitored.
Use separate procedures for confidential legal calls.

Trust and commissary

Verify the booking number before depositing.
Select the correct jail and account type.
Review transaction fees.
Keep the payment confirmation.

Never choose a payment or communication vendor from an advertisement alone. Open the official sheriff or county detention page and use the provider linked there.

Mississippi state custody

Search the Mississippi Department of Corrections

MDOC search results concern state correctional records. A missing MDOC result does not prove that the person is not in a county jail or does not have a pending criminal case.

Open the MDOC Inmate Search Search by name or MDOC identification number. Run the official MDOC inmate search

Use the MDOC number when known The number is safer than a common-name search.

Otherwise search the last and first name Open every plausible result and compare the date of birth.

Record the current location and unit Use them for visits, mail and facility questions.

Review the location-change date A recent transfer can affect visits and mail.

Read each offense separately The result can show the offense, sentence length, conviction county and sentence date.

Treat tentative release dates as changeable Credits, sentence calculations, court orders and supervision decisions can affect timing.

Return to the conviction court for proof The MDOC result is not a certified judgment or sentencing order.

Common MDOC search fields
Field	What it tells you	What to do next
MDOC ID number	The offender’s correctional identifier.	Use it for mail, records and facility questions.
Location and unit	The currently listed correctional placement.	Recheck before visiting or mailing.
Location-change date	When the displayed placement last changed.	Allow time for service-provider updates.
County of conviction	The county connected to the sentence.	Search that circuit-court record.
Sentence date	The date associated with the sentence.	Use it to locate the judgment.
Tentative release date	MDOC’s current projected release information.	Contact MDOC Records for sentence questions.

MDOC visitation

Apply to visit a Mississippi state inmate

Confirm the person is in MDOC custody Record the MDOC number, facility and unit.

Wait for the inmate to initiate the application The inmate obtains the visitation application from a case manager and sends it to the prospective visitor.

Complete every part of the application A parent or legal guardian completes the application for a minor.

Include the required identification copy Send the form and driver’s-license or other required identification to the facility visitation coordinator.

Wait for approval before traveling MDOC does not automatically notify every applicant. Call the facility to check status.

Confirm the schedule directly State, regional and private facilities may have different schedules and procedures.

Bring valid picture identification Every visitor age 18 or older must carry acceptable photo ID.

Leave prohibited property in the vehicle Phones, wallets, purses, excess clothing and other personal items are generally not allowed inside.

Published MDOC visitor-list rules

An inmate may list up to 10 approved visitors

The visitor list is reviewed annually

Immediate family can remain unless removed

Non-immediate-family approval expires unless renewed

No more than five visitors at one time

A visitor normally visits only one inmate

Probation or parole visitors require written approval

Visitors and vehicles are subject to search

Visiting is a privilege and can be suspended because of rule violations, facility conditions, lockdowns, weather, disciplinary restrictions or security needs.

Review current MDOC visitation rules

MDOC inmate mail

Address state-prison mail correctly

Required incoming-mail format

Inmate Name and MDOC Number
Current Housing Unit
Institution or Facility Name
Facility Address
City, State and ZIP

Sender’s Name
Complete Return Address
City, State and ZIP

Approved personal mail and photographs are photocopied for the inmate. The inmate does not receive the original paper or envelope. MDOC retains the original for 14 calendar days and then schedules it for shredding.

MDOC mail restrictions

No Polaroid photographs

No nude or explicitly sexual photographs

No metal, glass, hard plastic or wooden items

No money orders or copies of money orders

No packages

No tapes, CDs or video media

No hardback books

No food, hygiene or medical items

No writing supplies or stamps

No instructions involving crime, weapons or contraband

Prepaid softcover books are limited to three and must come from an approved publisher, distributor or vendor. Newspaper and magazine subscriptions must also come from the publisher, distributor or vendor.

Check MDOC mail instructions

MDOC inmate banking

Send money through an approved MDOC method

MDOC currently directs inmate-banking transfers through Premier Services online or participating Western Union agent locations. Verify the MDOC number and current recipient before sending money.

Confirm the inmate’s identity Match the full name, date of birth and MDOC identification number.

Choose the approved transfer channel Use Premier Services online or a participating Western Union location.

Enter the MDOC number carefully A wrong correctional number can send money to the wrong account.

Review the service fee The transfer provider’s charge is separate from the amount credited.

Save the receipt Keep the confirmation number, date, amount and inmate information.

Contact MDOC or the provider for a problem Report duplicate, failed or misdirected transactions promptly.

Open MDOC money-transfer instructions

MDOC records request

Request a state-offender or correctional record

MDOC requires public-record requests to be submitted in writing. The department does not accept public-record requests by telephone.

Identify the exact record Request a sentence computation, movement history, disciplinary record, release record or another specifically named document.

Provide the MDOC number Include the full name, birth date, conviction county and sentence date when available.

Request electronic delivery Ask for records electronically when available.

Set a cost limit Request an estimate before charges exceed the stated amount.

Submit through the MDOC record-request process Save the confirmation and request number. Open MDOC public-record requests

MDOC Records Department
P.O. Box 24388
Jackson, MS 39225
Phone: 601-933-2889
Email: MDOCRecordsDepartment@mdoc.state.ms.us

Defense representation

Find the public defender serving the criminal court

Mississippi trial-level public defense is primarily local. The Office of State Public Defender does not automatically become the trial lawyer for every county arrest.

Person awaiting trial

Ask the judge for appointed counsel.
Complete the court’s indigency process.
Identify the county or court public defender.
Confirm the lawyer’s name and contact information.
Do not discuss case facts on recorded jail calls.

Appeal after felony conviction

File the required notice of appeal on time.
Ask the trial court for indigent status.
Request appointment of appellate counsel.
The Indigent Appeals Division can represent qualifying appointed cases.
Do not wait for MDOC intake before addressing the appeal deadline.

Find a Mississippi public defender

Mississippi Office of State Public Defender
239 North Lamar Street, Seventh Floor
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 601-576-4290
Email: info@ospd.ms.gov

The Office of Indigent Appeals handles qualifying appointed felony appeals. The Capital Defense Division handles assigned death-penalty-eligible cases. Local public defenders handle ordinary trial-level cases.

Victim information

Register for Mississippi custody notifications

SAVIN/VINE

Anyone can register anonymously for automated county or state custody notifications through participating agencies.

Release from custody
Facility transfer or rehousing
Return to custody
Escape
Absconded supervision

MDOC Victim Services

Direct victims and survivors should separately register with MDOC for required notices and victim-specific services.

Release notifications
Parole-related information
Crisis and counseling referrals
Compensation-program information
Address and contact updates

Collect the offender identifiers Use the booking number, MDOC number, full name, birth date and county.

Register through VINE Select Mississippi and choose the preferred notification method. Register for VINE notifications

Use MDOC Victim Services when directly affected Direct victims are not automatically registered for the full set of MDOC rights and notices.

Keep contact information current Update telephone numbers, email and address after any change.

Do not rely on one notification alone Confirm urgent release or transfer information with the responsible agency.

Mississippi SAVIN
Office: 601-359-5759
24-hour assistance: 888-967-7284
TTY: 866-847-1298

MDOC Division of Victim Services
Phone: 601-359-5628
Toll-free: 866-522-4087
Email: victimservices@mdoc.state.ms.us

Mississippi criminal history

Obtain your own DPS name-based background check

The online DPS name-based system is for obtaining your own criminal background information. It is not a public portal for searching another person, an employee, a contractor or a customer.

Online request

Current charge: $32 per request.
Major credit and debit cards are accepted.
Processing can take up to 30 calendar days.
Third-party delivery information can be entered when authorized.
A failed fax is mailed to the address provided.

Mail request

Complete the Release Background Authorization Form.
Print clearly and sign the form.
Include a state ID or driver-license copy.
Have the signature notarized.
Include a $32 money order.

Choose the online or mail process The online route accepts electronic payment and is normally easier to track.

Enter your legal identity Use your current name, former names, date of birth and requested personal information accurately.

Provide third-party delivery information only when authorized Include the recipient’s full name, mailing address and fax number when applicable.

Pay the $32 charge Online requests accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express credit or debit cards.

Allow up to 30 calendar days Do not submit duplicate requests only because the result is not immediate.

Review every arrest and disposition Check names, dates, charges, agencies and final court outcomes.

Start the DPS name-based check Download the mail authorization form

Mississippi Criminal Information Center
3891 Highway 468 West
Pearl, MS 39208
Background-check help: 601-933-2600
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

The DPS public arrest-data page contains annual statistical arrest abstracts. It does not provide a name-based search for individual arrests.

View Mississippi annual arrest statistics

Record correction

Correct a wrong arrest, identity or disposition

Identify which system is wrong Compare the jail booking, police report, court docket, MDOC result and DPS background check.

Save the inaccurate result Record the URL, date viewed, booking number, report number and case number.

Obtain the controlling document Use a corrected arrest report, certified dismissal, judgment, sentencing order or identity document.

Correct the originating agency first The arresting agency corrects its report; the court corrects its docket or disposition.

Ask the clerk to transmit the corrected disposition Court dispositions must reach the Criminal Information Center for the state history to update.

Contact CIC with supporting proof Provide the corrected document, identifiers and a precise explanation of the disputed field.

Correct MDOC separately when needed Sentence, conviction-county or release-calculation issues should be addressed through MDOC Records.

Recheck every connected database One agency’s correction may not immediately update another agency or private background report.

Copy-ready correction request

I am requesting correction of the criminal-record entry associated with [full legal name], date of birth [date], booking number [number], agency report number [number] and court case number [number]. The record currently states [incorrect information]. The attached [certified disposition, corrected report or court order] shows that the accurate information is [correct information]. Please confirm the correction and identify any other repository to which the corrected information will be transmitted.

Correction is not expunction. Use correction when the displayed information is wrong. Use expunction when the information is accurate but legally eligible for removal from public records.

2026 Mississippi law

Expunge an eligible Mississippi arrest or conviction

Effective July 1, 2026, Mississippi reduced the waiting period for an otherwise eligible felony expunction from five years to three years after successful completion of all sentence terms and conditions.

Non-conviction record

A person may petition the proper justice, county, circuit or municipal court when the arrest ended in dismissal, dropped charges, no disposition or a not-guilty verdict.

First-offender misdemeanor

A first offender convicted of an eligible nontraffic misdemeanor may petition the court where the conviction occurred.

Eligible felony

A person may generally petition for one eligible felony expunction three years after completing all sentence conditions and paying criminal fines and court costs.

Trafficking-victim relief

Mississippi law provides additional vacatur and expunction routes for qualifying offenses directly resulting from human trafficking victimization.

Felonies excluded from the general one-felony route

Crimes of violence defined by Mississippi law

First-degree arson

Trafficking in controlled substances

Third, fourth or subsequent DUI

Felon in possession of a firearm

Failure to register as a sex offender

Voyeurism

Witness intimidation

Abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable person

Specified embezzlement offenses

Felony procuring prostitution

Promoting prostitution

Identify every arrest and court case Collect the booking number, report number, case number and court name.

Obtain certified dispositions Confirm exactly how every charge ended.

Check the correct eligibility category Separate non-conviction arrests, misdemeanors, felonies, intervention-court matters, DUI and trafficking-victim relief.

Confirm completion dates Calculate the date all incarceration, supervision, restitution, fines, costs and other sentence requirements ended.

Confirm the three-year felony waiting period The new period applies to otherwise eligible petitions under the amended law effective July 1, 2026.

Prepare the petition for the court of conviction File in the justice, municipal, county or circuit court that handled the eligible matter.

Give required prosecutor notice The felony process requires written notice to the district attorney before the hearing.

Pay the applicable filing charge Mississippi’s published statutory fee for a petition under Section 99-19-71 is $150. Confirm local filing, copy and service charges with the clerk.

Attend the hearing when scheduled Be prepared to show eligibility, sentence completion and rehabilitation when required.

Obtain certified copies of the order Keep copies for the court, arresting agency, jail, CIC and background-report disputes.

Verify the CIC update The court clerk sends the certified expunction order to the Mississippi Criminal Information Center.

Recheck public systems Confirm the court, county jail, agency and state history update after processing.

One eligible felony can include convictions arising from a common nucleus of operative facts when the court determines they qualify under the statute. This does not make separately occurring felony cases automatically eligible.

An expunction removes the matter from public records as provided by law, but CIC and a district attorney may retain limited nonpublic information for authorized purposes, including determining whether a person previously received first-offender relief.

Read the 2026 expunction amendment Find the correct court clerk

Expunction eligibility is fact-specific. Confirm the current statute, offense classification, sentence-completion date, prior history and court procedure before filing.

Employment and housing

Do not use a booking page as a complete background decision

An arrest alone does not prove criminal conduct. A jail page may omit the disposition, identify the wrong person, remain online after dismissal or fail to reflect an expunction.

Confirm the correct person through multiple identifiers

Match the booking to the correct court case

Obtain the final disposition

Separate dismissed and convicted counts

Check for expunction or sealing

Remove duplicate or wrong-person records

Follow authorization and notice requirements

Allow the person to dispute inaccurate information

Employers, landlords and screening companies may be subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act and additional federal, state or local restrictions. A public arrest search is not a substitute for a lawful and accurate screening process.

State contacts and maps

Mississippi arrest and criminal-record contact board

Criminal Information Center

3891 Highway 468 West
Pearl, MS 39208

601-933-2600

Mississippi DPS

209 Allen Stuart Drive
Pearl, MS 39208

601-987-1212

MDOC Main Office

301 North Lamar Street
Jackson, MS 39201

601-359-5600

MDOC Records

P.O. Box 24388
Jackson, MS 39225

601-933-2889

PAMEC Help Desk

601-576-4650

helpdesk@mec.ms.gov

Office of State Public Defender

239 N. Lamar Street, Seventh Floor
Jackson, MS 39201

601-576-4290

Mississippi SAVIN

888-967-7284

24-hour English and Spanish assistance.

MDOC Victim Services

866-522-4087

victimservices@mdoc.state.ms.us

Mississippi Criminal Information Center map

Mississippi Department of Corrections map

Confirm before traveling: Check the correct county, judicial district, facility, office hours, appointment requirements, accepted identification and payment instructions.

Information brought into this page

Important Mississippi procedures explained without a link-only experience

County arrest workflow

County selection, sheriff search steps, same-name safeguards, no-result troubleshooting and report ownership.

Court verification

Municipal, justice, county and circuit court routing, PAMEC charges and final-disposition checks.

Jail and prison services

County visits, local mail and money rules, MDOC visitation applications, mail copying and approved transfers.

State criminal history

The $32 personal DPS check, 30-day processing window, online restrictions and mail requirements.

Victim and defense help

SAVIN/VINE notifications, MDOC Victim Services, local public-defender routing and appellate assistance.

2026 record relief

Non-conviction expunction, misdemeanor relief, three-year felony waiting period, exclusions and CIC updates.

Title-related questions

Mississippi arrest and criminal-record questions answered

How do I search Mississippi arrest records?

Search the official sheriff or detention center in the county where the arrest occurred. Save the booking information and then search the correct local court for the final disposition.

Is there one statewide public arrest search?

No. County jails, local law-enforcement agencies, courts, MDOC and the Criminal Information Center maintain different parts of the record.

How do I find a current county jail inmate?

Use the sheriff’s official roster or call the detention center with the legal name, date of birth and approximate arrest date.

How do I find a Mississippi state prisoner?

Use the MDOC Inmate Search and enter the name or MDOC identification number.

How do I find the final criminal case outcome?

Identify the municipal, justice, county or circuit court and locate the dismissal, plea, judgment or sentence for every count.

How much does PAMEC cost?

PAMEC currently charges a $10 annual registration fee and $0.20 per page generated by a search. A search with no result is billed as one page.

How much is a personal DPS background check?

The current name-based personal background-check charge is $32, and processing may take up to 30 calendar days.

Can I search another person through the DPS portal?

No. The portal warns that misuse to obtain another person’s criminal information can result in criminal prosecution.

How do I correct an inaccurate Mississippi record?

Obtain the controlling report or certified court disposition, correct the originating agency and provide the corrected documentation to each repository still displaying the error.

Can a Mississippi arrest or conviction be expunged?

Some non-conviction arrests, first-offender misdemeanors and eligible felonies qualify. Effective July 1, 2026, the general waiting period for an eligible felony is three years after completing all sentence conditions.

Find a Mississippi Arrest Record and Verify the Criminal Case