Arrest records in Jones County, Mississippi are public documents accessible to all citizens 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, shall be available for public inspection during regular business hours unless specifically exempted by statute. The Mississippi Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability in law enforcement activities within Jones County and throughout the state.
Members of the public may request arrest records from the appropriate custodial agencies without providing justification for their request. However, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as provided under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.
Jones County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by both governmental agencies and third-party providers. The Jones County Sheriff's Office maintains limited online records of recent arrests and inmate information. Additionally, the Mississippi Department of Corrections provides an online inmate search function for individuals currently in state custody.
Online accessibility of arrest records is subject to the following conditions:
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety also maintains databases that may include arrest information, though these typically focus on criminal history rather than recent arrest data.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Jones County. Individuals seeking such information should consider the following methods:
Visit the Jones County Sheriff's Office in person: Jones County Sheriff's Office 419 Ellisville Boulevard Laurel, MS 39440 Phone: (601) 425-3147 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Request records from the Jones County Circuit Clerk: Jones County Circuit Clerk's Office 101 North Court Street Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: (601) 477-8451 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center: Mississippi Department of Public Safety 1900 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue Jackson, MS 39216 Phone: (601) 987-1212 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a written request pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5, which requires agencies to respond within 7 working days
Utilize online resources such as the Jones County court records database for cases that have proceeded to court
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name, approximate date of arrest, and, if available, date of birth.
Standard Jones County arrest records contain specific information as mandated by Mississippi law and departmental policies. These records typically include:
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, home addresses of the arrested individuals, and information pertaining to confidential informants or ongoing investigations.
The expungement process in Jones County allows for the legal removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71. Individuals seeking expungement must meet statutory eligibility requirements, which generally include:
The expungement procedure requires:
Upon successful expungement, records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes as outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(3).
Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with legal counsel familiar with Mississippi expungement law, as the process requires strict adherence to statutory requirements and court procedures.