Yes, arrest records are public in Marion County, Mississippi. This accessibility is governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.), which establishes that all public records, unless specifically exempted by law, shall be available for inspection by any person. Arrest records maintained by the Marion County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county fall under this classification of public records. The public nature of these records serves to ensure transparency in the criminal justice system and allows citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their community.
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Marion County through various governmental and third-party platforms. The Marion County Sheriff's Office maintains certain arrest information that may be accessible through their online resources. Additionally, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety provides access to some criminal history information through their online portal. However, it should be noted that the comprehensiveness of online records may vary, and certain detailed information might only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate county offices.
To obtain Marion County arrest records, members of the public have several official channels available. The following methods are authorized for accessing these public records:
Marion County Sheriff's Office
219 Broad Street
Columbia, MS 39429
(601) 736-5051
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Marion County Circuit Clerk
250 Broad Street, Suite 1
Columbia, MS 39429
(601) 736-6006
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mississippi Department of Corrections: For information on individuals who have been sentenced and are in the state correctional system, the Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate search provides relevant data.
Online Record Services: The Marion County online records portal provides access to certain public records that may include information related to arrests and court proceedings.
Marion County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Pursuant to Mississippi law and county record-keeping protocols, these records generally include:
It should be noted that pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records, particularly when related to ongoing investigations or matters involving juveniles.
In Marion County, the expungement of arrest records is governed by Mississippi Code § 99-19-71, which provides a legal pathway for eligible individuals to have their arrest records sealed from public view. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access, though the information remains available to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Marion County typically include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Marion County Circuit Court where the case was originally adjudicated. Petitioners must provide:
Upon approval by a Circuit Court judge, an Order of Expungement is issued directing all relevant agencies to seal the records. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety and other state agencies must comply with this order within 60 days of receipt.