Clarksdale Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
Arrest records are public documents in Clarksdale, 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, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains these records in accordance with state regulations to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations.
Members of the public may access these records as part of their right to government transparency. This access serves multiple public interests, including:
- Enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities
- Facilitating background checks for employment or housing purposes
- Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
- Providing accountability for law enforcement agencies
The Coahoma County Sheriff's Department and Clarksdale Police Department maintain these records in compliance with state recordkeeping requirements. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as provided under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.
How to Look Up Clarksdale Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following resources:
Clarksdale Police Department
121 Sunflower Avenue
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 621-8156
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Clarksdale Police Department maintains records of arrests within city limits. Requestors must complete a Public Records Request Form and present valid identification. Processing times typically range from 3-10 business days, depending on the complexity of the request and record availability.
Coahoma County Sheriff's Department
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 624-2411
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Sheriff's Department maintains county-wide arrest records. Requests require completion of their standard records request form. A nominal fee applies for document reproduction in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7.
Coahoma County Circuit Court Clerk
Coahoma County Courthouse
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 624-3028
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Circuit Court maintains records of all criminal proceedings following arrests. Court records may be accessed through the clerk's office by providing the name of the individual and approximate date of arrest.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
Criminal Information Center
3891 Highway 468 West
Pearl, MS 39208
(601) 933-2600
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The state repository offers comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests statewide. Requests require submission of Form MJIC-CHRI-01 and payment of the statutory fee of $32 per record search.
Contents of a Clarksdale Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Clarksdale law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Mississippi state law. These documents typically include:
Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of processing
- Government-issued identification numbers
Arrest specifics:
- Date, time, and location of apprehension
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory violations cited (Mississippi Code references)
- Incident report number and booking reference
Case processing details:
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint classification data
- Property inventory from booking
- Initial appearance information
- Bail determination and conditions
Disposition information:
- Court assignment data
- Case number in judicial system
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Current status in judicial process
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain information may be restricted if the subject is a juvenile, if the case involves domestic violence victims, or if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation. Law enforcement agencies maintain these records in accordance with state-mandated retention schedules, typically for a minimum of five years following case disposition.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Clarksdale
The State of Mississippi provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Mississippi Code § 99-19-71 establishes the framework for record expungement in Clarksdale and throughout the state.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
- Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
- First-offense misdemeanor convictions after a five-year waiting period
- Certain non-violent felony convictions after completion of all sentencing requirements and a waiting period
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges within 12 months
The expungement process requires:
- Filing a petition with the Circuit Court of Coahoma County
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $150)
- Submission of a complete criminal history record
- Notification to the District Attorney's office
- Attendance at a scheduled hearing before the presiding judge
Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records from public view. Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes as outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(4).
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process does not remove records from federal databases or private information aggregators who may have collected the information prior to expungement. The Mississippi Legislature amended the expungement statutes in 2023 to expand eligibility for certain non-violent offenses, with these provisions taking full effect in 2025.
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