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Tupelo Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Tupelo, Mississippi?

Yes, arrest records are public in Tupelo, Mississippi. This accessibility is governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.), which establishes that all governmental records, unless specifically exempted by law, must be available for public inspection. Arrest records fall within the domain of public records, thereby promoting transparency and enabling public oversight of law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.

The Mississippi Public Records Act stipulates that any person has the right to inspect, copy, or mechanically reproduce public records during regular business hours. Public bodies may establish reasonable procedures concerning the time, place, and method of access. Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of searching, reviewing, and duplicating records.

Law enforcement agencies in Tupelo maintain these records as part of their statutory obligations. The Tupelo Police Department serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within city limits, while the Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains records for arrests made in unincorporated areas of the county.

How to Look Up Tupelo Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Tupelo arrest records have multiple access options available. The City of Tupelo has implemented several methods to facilitate public access to these records in accordance with state transparency laws:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Division of the Tupelo Police Department located at 400 N. Front Street, Tupelo, MS 38804. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors must complete a public records request form and present valid identification.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to: Records Division, Tupelo Police Department, P.O. Box 3608, Tupelo, MS 38803. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information.
Online Portal Access: The Tupelo Municipal Court provides an electronic portal for searching certain violations and case information. This system allows for preliminary searches of arrest-related information.
Mississippi Crime Information Center: For comprehensive criminal history information, requests may be submitted to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center, 3891 Highway 468 West, Pearl, MS 39208.

Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, agencies must respond to records requests within seven working days. Fees for record retrieval and copying are established by the Tupelo City Council and are subject to periodic revision.

Contents of a Tupelo Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Tupelo law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as prescribed by Mississippi Department of Public Safety standards:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and distinguishing marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Booking number and processing information
Specific charges filed, including citation of applicable statutes or ordinances
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions
Detention status information
Case disposition if available

It should be noted that pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to ongoing investigations.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The legal foundation for public access to arrest records in Tupelo is established through multiple statutory provisions:

The Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.) creates the presumption that all governmental records are public unless specifically exempted. Section 25-61-3(b) defines public records as "all books, records, papers, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, cards, tapes, recordings or reproductions thereof, and any other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been used, being in use, or prepared, possessed or retained for use in the conduct, transaction or performance of any business, transaction, work, duty or function of any public body."

The Mississippi Criminal History Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-1 et seq.) governs the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information. This statute authorizes the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to establish regulations for criminal history information systems throughout the state.

Local ordinances, including Chapter 2, Article IV of the Tupelo Code of Ordinances, further delineate procedures for public access to municipal records, including those maintained by the police department.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Tupelo, certain limitations and exemptions exist:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-261, records involving individuals under 18 years of age are confidential and not subject to public disclosure except under specific court orders.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71 are removed from public access.
Active Investigations: Information related to ongoing law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and certain victim information is typically redacted before public disclosure.
Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.

The Tupelo Police Department is responsible for ensuring that these exemptions are properly applied when responding to public records requests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Tupelo

In Tupelo, the expungement of arrest records is governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71. Eligible individuals may petition for expungement under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
First-time non-violent offenses after completion of all sentencing requirements
Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period (typically 2-5 years)
Specific felony convictions enumerated in the statute after a waiting period (typically 5 years)

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the court where the case was adjudicated. For arrests within Tupelo city limits, petitions are typically filed with the Tupelo Municipal Court located at 903 Fillmore Drive, Tupelo, MS 38801. For felony cases, petitions must be filed with the Lee County Circuit Court at 201 W. Jefferson Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.

The petition must include:

Complete case information
Certified copies of the disposition
Fingerprint records
Payment of filing fees (currently $150 for misdemeanors and $300 for eligible felonies)

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement. If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records from public view. Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(4), expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies, the courts, and certain licensing boards.