Hattiesburg Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Hattiesburg, Mississippi?
Arrest records in Hattiesburg, Mississippi are considered public documents pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Mississippi Public Records Act operates under the principle that transparency in government proceedings serves the public interest and promotes accountability within the criminal justice system.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Hattiesburg Police Department and the Forrest County Sheriff's Office, subject to certain limitations. These limitations may include records that have been sealed by court order, juvenile records protected under Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-261, or records pertaining to ongoing investigations as specified in Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.
The City of Hattiesburg maintains compliance with state transparency laws while balancing privacy considerations as mandated by Mississippi statute. Records may be redacted to protect certain personal identifying information pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-9.
How to Look Up Hattiesburg Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Hattiesburg provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest records. Each method requires adherence to established protocols to ensure proper processing of requests. Available methods include:
- In-Person Requests: Individuals seeking arrest records may submit requests in person at the Hattiesburg Police Department Records Division. Requestors must complete a standard public records request form and present valid government-issued identification.
Hattiesburg Police Department
701 James Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-544-7900
Hattiesburg Police Department
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
- Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via U.S. Postal Service. All mail requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, specific information sought, and a copy of government-issued identification. Requests should be addressed to:
Records Division
Hattiesburg Police Department
701 James Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Online Portal Access: The Hattiesburg Police Department maintains an electronic records request system accessible through the official city website. Users must create an account and submit required information through the secure portal. Response times for electronic submissions typically range from 3-7 business days, depending on request volume.
Municipal Court Records: Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through the Hattiesburg Municipal Court.
Hattiesburg Municipal Court
301 Klondyke Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601-545-4938
Municipal Court - City of Hattiesburg
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, reasonable fees may be assessed for search, retrieval, and duplication of records. The current fee schedule includes a $15 processing fee plus $0.25 per page for photocopies or $10 per digital record.
Contents of a Hattiesburg Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Hattiesburg law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Mississippi law enforcement protocols. Standard arrest records include the following components:
- Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information including processing location and identification numbers
- Custody status and bail determination
- Fingerprint classification data
- Photographic identification (mugshot)
- Incident report number and cross-reference information
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial appearance date and preliminary hearing schedule
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, arresting agency protocols, and case status. Records pertaining to arrests that resulted in no charges or dismissals remain in the system but may be annotated to reflect case disposition.
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public release, including Social Security numbers, home addresses, telephone numbers, and medical information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Hattiesburg
The State of Mississippi provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records. Expungement procedures are governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71 and related statutes, which establish criteria and processes for removing arrest information from public access.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Hattiesburg include:
- Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges within 12 months
- First-time offenders who have successfully completed all court-ordered requirements
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period of two years
- Specified non-violent felony convictions after a waiting period of five years
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a Petition for Expungement with the court of jurisdiction where the case was adjudicated
- Pay the required filing fee of $150 pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13
- Provide certified documentation of case disposition
- Submit to fingerprinting and criminal history verification
- Attend a scheduled hearing before the presiding judge
Upon judicial approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the specified records. The Hattiesburg Police Department, Forrest County Sheriff's Office, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation receive notification to remove the records from public databases.
Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes as outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(4), including subsequent criminal proceedings and certain employment background checks for positions in law enforcement, education, and healthcare.
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