>Lowndes County Arrest Records Online

Lowndes County, Mississippi Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lowndes County, Mississippi?

Arrest records in Lowndes 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 the fundamental right of Mississippi residents to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by governmental bodies within the state. The Act specifically includes law enforcement records, such as arrest logs, booking information, and incident reports, within its scope of accessible documents.

The Mississippi Public Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute. Exemptions that may apply to certain portions of arrest records include:

Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information related to juveniles (under 18 years of age)

Requesters seeking arrest records in Lowndes County should note that while the records are public, certain administrative procedures must be followed to obtain them. The custodian of records may charge reasonable fees for searching, reviewing, and duplicating requested documents as permitted under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lowndes County?

Lowndes County provides limited online access to arrest records through several official digital platforms. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety and Lowndes County Sheriff's Office maintain databases that allow members of the public to search for basic arrest information. These online resources typically include:

Current inmate rosters
Recent booking information
Basic case status updates
Court docket information

It should be noted that online records may not contain comprehensive information available in physical records maintained at county offices. Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5, certain information may be redacted from online versions of arrest records to protect privacy interests while still providing public access to essential information regarding arrests.

Online access is provided as a convenience to the public and does not replace the official records maintained by the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Court. For complete and certified copies of arrest records, individuals must contact the appropriate county office directly.

How to Look Up Lowndes County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Lowndes County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining record integrity:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office located at 527 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Columbus, MS 39701
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Telephone: (662) 328-6788
Present government-issued photo identification
Complete a public records request form specifying the information sought
Pay applicable fees as established by county ordinance

Lowndes County Circuit Court:

Located at 505 2nd Avenue North, Columbus, MS 39701
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Telephone: (662) 329-5900
Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the clerk's office

Online Access Options:

Mississippi Department of Corrections Inmate Search for individuals currently in state custody
Lowndes County Sheriff's Office website for current inmate roster
Mississippi Court Information System (MEC) for case status and court dates

Written Requests:

Submit detailed requests via mail to: Records Division, Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 31, Columbus, MS 39703
Include specific information such as full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest
Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees

Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5(1), public bodies must respond to records requests within seven (7) working days from the date of receipt. Complex requests may require additional time, in which case the requestor will be notified in writing.

Contents of a Lowndes County Arrest Record

Lowndes County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Mississippi state law and local regulations. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification information
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed at booking
- Incident report number and related case numbers
- Probable cause statement (may be summarized in public versions)
- Weapon information, if applicable
Case processing information:
- Booking date and time
- Custody status
- Bond amount and conditions, if applicable
- Court appearance dates
- Case disposition (if resolved)
Additional documentation:
- Property inventory from booking
- Medical screening information (heavily redacted in public versions)
- Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, located at 1900 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216, maintains the central repository of arrest records for the state. Their records division can be reached at (601) 987-1212 or through the Department of Public Safety website.

It should be noted that pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain information contained in arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly information related to ongoing investigations or that which might compromise public safety.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lowndes County

The expungement process in Lowndes County allows for the legal removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by Mississippi Code § 99-19-71. Expungement petitions must be filed with the Lowndes County Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over criminal matters within the county.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Lowndes County include:

Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
First-time non-violent misdemeanor convictions after a five-year waiting period
Certain first-time felony convictions as specified in Miss. Code § 99-19-71(2)(a)
Cases where the individual was not prosecuted and the statute of limitations has expired
Cases involving identity theft victims who were wrongfully arrested

The expungement procedure requires:

Filing a petition with the Lowndes County Circuit Court
Payment of filing fees (approximately $150, subject to change)
Submission of a complete criminal history record
Notification to the District Attorney's Office
Attendance at a scheduled hearing before a Circuit Court Judge
Issuance of an expungement order if approved by the court

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 § 99-19-71(4). Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process is complex and may benefit from legal representation.

The Lowndes County Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides standardized expungement petition forms and can be contacted at:

Lowndes County Circuit Court Clerk
505 2nd Avenue North
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-5900
Official Website