Arrest records are public in Bolivar County, Mississippi, pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within county jurisdiction. The Mississippi Public Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute, ensuring transparency in governmental operations and law enforcement activities.
The Bolivar County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duties. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions, including:
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain sensitive information protected by privacy laws or if their release could compromise ongoing investigations pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.
Arrest records can be accessed online in Bolivar County through several official and third-party platforms. The Bolivar County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains electronic records of court proceedings related to arrests, which may be accessed through their online portal. Digital accessibility of these records is consistent with Mississippi's commitment to governmental transparency as outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-2.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the following conditions:
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety also maintains a statewide database that includes arrest information from Bolivar County, though access may be restricted to authorized users for certain detailed information.
Members of the public seeking Bolivar County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing these records include:
Submitting a request in person at the Bolivar County Sheriff's Office 2792 Hwy 8 West Cleveland, MS 38732 Phone: 662-843-5378 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Filing a formal records request with the Bolivar County Circuit Clerk 200 South Court Street Cleveland, MS 38732 Phone: 662-843-2061 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Utilizing the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's online records portal Requests may require payment of statutory fees pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, which permits reasonable charges for document search, review, and duplication.
For comprehensive criminal history information, requestors may need to submit fingerprints to the Mississippi State Department of Health for processing through the state's background check system. Authorized requestors may include:
Bolivar County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Mississippi state law and local recordkeeping protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Subject identification information:
Arrest details:
Procedural information:
Case disposition:
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain information may be restricted from public view, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations where disclosure could compromise public safety.
Expungement procedures in Bolivar County follow Mississippi state law as codified in Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, which provides mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Eligible individuals may petition for expungement when:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Bolivar County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must:
Upon granting of an expungement order, all public records pertaining to the arrest are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes as outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(4).