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Horn Lake Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Horn Lake, Mississippi?

Yes, arrest records are public in Horn Lake, Mississippi. This accessibility is governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.), which mandates that all governmental records, unless specifically exempted by law, must be available for public inspection. Records pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Horn Lake are considered public documents under this statute. The Mississippi Public Records Act ensures transparency and accountability in public administration by allowing citizens to access information about law enforcement activities, including arrests made within the jurisdiction of Horn Lake.

The Horn Lake Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law and makes them available to members of the public upon proper request. Certain information may be redacted from these records if disclosure would violate privacy rights protected by state or federal law, compromise an ongoing investigation, or endanger public safety.

How to Look Up Horn Lake Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain information on arrest records in Horn Lake, Mississippi, several official methods are available to members of the public:

Visit the Horn Lake Police Department in person to request records. The department maintains physical copies of arrest records and can provide assistance with record searches.

Horn Lake Police Department
3101 Goodman Road West
Horn Lake, MS 38637
Phone: (662) 393-6174
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contact the Horn Lake Municipal Court where the arrest was processed. Court records often contain detailed information about arrests and subsequent proceedings.

Horn Lake Municipal Court
3101 Goodman Road, Suite B
Horn Lake, MS 38637
Phone: (662) 342-3541
Fax: (662) 342-3481
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the City of Horn Lake Services portal, which provides digital access to various public records. As of 2025, these online services have been enhanced to allow for more convenient digital access to arrest documents.
Submit a formal public records request pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5, which requires governmental entities to respond to requests within seven working days. Requests must be submitted in writing and should include specific information about the records being sought.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate accurate record retrieval.

Contents of a Horn Lake Arrest Record

A Horn Lake arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Standard components include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical description
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the charge(s) filed against the individual, including relevant Mississippi Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency information (typically Horn Lake Police Department)
Booking details, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
Bond or bail conditions established, if applicable
Case disposition information, if available
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable

Pursuant to Mississippi law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, home addresses, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations as specified in Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The public's right to access arrest records in Horn Lake is established through a framework of state laws and local ordinances:

The Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.) establishes the fundamental right of citizens to inspect and copy public records, including arrest records, with limited exceptions.
The Horn Lake Code of Ordinances contains provisions regarding public safety and law enforcement that complement state law regarding record-keeping and public access.
Mississippi's Criminal Justice Information System (Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-1 et seq.) governs how criminal justice information, including arrest data, is collected, maintained, and disseminated.
Federal regulations, including those under the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, may impact the disclosure of certain arrest information when federal agencies are involved in investigations.

Government entities in Horn Lake may charge reasonable fees for searching, reviewing, and duplicating arrest records as permitted under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7. These fees are designed to recover actual costs associated with fulfilling record requests and not to create barriers to public access.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Horn Lake are generally public, several important limitations exist:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (individuals under 18 years of age) are confidential under Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-261 and are not available for public inspection except by court order.
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would impede law enforcement activities or compromise case integrity, as permitted by Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12(2)(a).
Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access and treated as if they never existed for most purposes.
Certain victim information, particularly in cases involving sexual offenses or domestic violence, may be redacted to protect privacy rights.
Information that would disclose the identity of confidential informants is exempt from disclosure under state law.

The Horn Lake Code Enforcement Department works in conjunction with the police department to ensure that access to records complies with all applicable laws and regulations while maintaining appropriate confidentiality protections.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Horn Lake

In Horn Lake, expungement of arrest records is possible under specific conditions established by Mississippi law. Individuals may petition for expungement if:

The arrest did not lead to a conviction (cases resulting in dismissal, acquittal, or nolle prosequi)
The conviction has been reversed, set aside, or pardoned by executive action
The individual has completed a pretrial diversion program successfully
The offense qualifies under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, which permits expungement of certain first-time offenses after specified waiting periods

The expungement process involves filing a petition with the court that originally handled the case, typically the Horn Lake Municipal Court or DeSoto County Circuit Court. Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, the petition must include specific information about the case and the legal basis for expungement. The court reviews the petition and, if deemed appropriate under the law, may issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal or destroy the arrest record, thereby removing it from public access.

Upon successful expungement, the individual may legally state that the arrest never occurred in most circumstances, including on employment applications. However, expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes, such as sentencing for subsequent offenses.