Benton County, Mississippi Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Benton County, Mississippi?
Arrest records are public documents in Benton County, Mississippi, pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statutory provision. The Mississippi Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability within law enforcement agencies operating in Benton County.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information within these documents may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Mississippi law. Such redactions typically include sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and information pertaining to minors or victims of certain offenses as outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.
The Benton County Sheriff's Department maintains these records as part of their official duties in documenting law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. Public access to these records facilitates community awareness regarding law enforcement operations and supports the principle of open government.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Benton County?
Arrest records for Benton County are accessible through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of digital records varies according to implementation schedules and resource allocation within county departments. The Benton County government has established digital access protocols in accordance with Mississippi's commitment to public information accessibility.
The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system provides a centralized platform through which certain court records, including those related to arrests, may be accessed. However, users should note that:
• Not all historical records have been digitized • Recent arrests may experience processing delays before appearing in online databases • Certain case types may be restricted from online viewing pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-9
Third-party aggregators also compile and present arrest record information online, though these services may charge fees and cannot guarantee complete accuracy or timeliness of information. The official records maintained by Benton County governmental offices remain the authoritative source for arrest documentation.
Persons seeking the most current and complete arrest information are advised that digital records should be verified against official county records maintained at:
Benton County Sheriff's Department
190 Ripley Avenue
Ashland, MS 38603
Phone: (662) 224-8941
Official Website
How to Look Up Benton County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methodologies exist for obtaining arrest records in Benton County, each with distinct procedural requirements pursuant to Mississippi public records statutes. The following options are available to requestors:
In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies
The Benton County Sheriff's Department serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within the county. Individuals may submit requests during standard business hours at:
Benton County Sheriff's Department
190 Ripley Avenue
Ashland, MS 38603
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (662) 224-8941
Requestors must complete a standardized public records request form and may be required to present government-issued identification. Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction, not to exceed actual cost.
Judicial Records Access
The Benton County Circuit Clerk maintains records pertaining to arrests that have resulted in formal charges. These records may be accessed at:
Benton County Circuit Clerk's Office
190 Ripley Avenue
Ashland, MS 38603
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (662) 224-6310
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
For comprehensive criminal history information that includes arrests across multiple jurisdictions, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center processes requests pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-12. Fingerprint-based background checks may be scheduled through the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Electronic Access Options
The Mississippi Electronic Courts system provides digital access to certain court records through designated public access terminals located in the Circuit Clerk's office. Remote access may be available for registered users through the state's unified court system portal.
Contents of a Benton County Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Benton County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Mississippi law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These documents typically include the following categories of information:
Biographical Data • Full legal name of the arrested individual • Known aliases or alternative names • Date of birth • Gender • Race/ethnicity (as categorized by arresting agency) • Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks) • Residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Specifics • Date and time of arrest • Geographic location where apprehension occurred • Arresting agency and officer identification • Statutory citations for alleged violations • Arrest method (warrant, probable cause, etc.) • Weapon involvement, if applicable
Processing Information • Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") • Fingerprint classification data • Property inventory at time of booking • Detention facility assignment • Bond determination and status
Case Disposition • Court of jurisdiction • Case number assignments • Preliminary hearing outcomes • Final disposition (if resolved)
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain information within arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or matters sealed by judicial order.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Benton County
Mississippi law provides mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records maintained in Benton County repositories. Expungement procedures are governed primarily by Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
The following circumstances may qualify for expungement consideration:
• Arrests that did not result in formal charges • Cases dismissed or resulting in acquittal • First-offense misdemeanor convictions after a prescribed waiting period • Certain non-violent felony convictions as specifically enumerated in statute • Successful completion of drug court, veterans treatment court, or mental health court programs
Procedural Requirements
Petitioners seeking expungement must:
• File a petition in the court of original jurisdiction • Pay filing fees as established by the court (approximately $150) • Provide certified documentation of case disposition • Submit to fingerprinting and criminal history verification • Attend scheduled hearings as directed by judicial officers
The petition must be served upon the District Attorney's Office, which has 30 days to file objections pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(2). If granted, the expungement order directs all governmental agencies to remove records from public access, though certain law enforcement and judicial entities may retain sealed records for limited purposes.
Legal Effect of Expungement
Upon successful expungement, the individual may legally respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred, with exceptions for certain professional licensing bodies and law enforcement agencies as specified in Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(3).
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal considerations and may benefit from consultation with legal counsel familiar with Mississippi expungement statutes.
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