>Panola County Arrest Records Online

Panola County, Mississippi Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Panola County, Mississippi?

Arrest records are public in Panola County, Mississippi, pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Mississippi Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in government operations and accountability of public officials by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities, including arrests made within county jurisdiction.

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Panola County may obtain these documents through established procedures that comply with state regulations. The Mississippi Public Records Act stipulates that public bodies must provide reasonable access to records during regular business hours, with minimal delay and at reasonable cost to the requestor.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Panola County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in Panola County through various authorized platforms. The Panola County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records of arrests that may be available through their official website. Additionally, the Mississippi Department of Corrections provides an online inmate search function that includes information about individuals who have been arrested and are in custody.

Online accessibility of arrest records is subject to the provisions outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5, which governs electronic records. Public bodies in Mississippi are required to provide records in electronic format when requested and when the records are maintained electronically. However, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests as specified under state law.

The Panola County Circuit Clerk's Office may also maintain electronic records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings that can be accessed through their online portal or by visiting their physical location.

How to Look Up Panola County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Panola County arrest records in 2025, individuals may utilize several authorized methods:

Sheriff's Office Records Request: The Panola County Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records and booking information. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through designated electronic platforms.

Panola County Sheriff's Office
300 James Rudd Drive
Batesville, MS 38606
Phone: (662) 563-6230
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Circuit Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk.

Panola County Circuit Clerk's Office
151 Public Square
Batesville, MS 38606
Phone: (662) 563-6300
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Mississippi Department of Corrections: For information regarding individuals who have been arrested and are in state custody.

Mississippi Department of Corrections
723 N. President Street
Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: (601) 359-5600
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Mississippi Department of Public Safety: Maintains statewide criminal history information that may include arrest records.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety
1900 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 987-1212
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the actual costs of searching, reviewing, duplicating, and mailing public records. Fee schedules should be prominently posted at the location where records are kept.

Contents of a Panola County Arrest Record

Panola County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrested individual and the circumstances of their arrest. These records are maintained in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information. Standard components of an arrest record include:

Full legal name and any known aliases or alternative identities
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and place of birth
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, hair color, and distinguishing marks or tattoos
Official booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged offense(s) and corresponding Mississippi statute violations
Name and identification of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking number and processing information
Custody status information including bail or bond amount if applicable
Case disposition information if available

The Mississippi Uniform Criminal Records Act requires that arrest records be maintained with accuracy and completeness. Individuals have the right under Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-11 to review their own criminal history record information and request correction of any inaccuracies through established procedures.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Panola County

Expungement of arrest records in Panola County is governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, which provides specific criteria under which individuals may petition for the legal removal of arrest information from public records. Expungement effectively seals the record from public view, though certain government agencies may retain access for limited purposes.

Eligibility for expungement in Panola County typically includes:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
First-time offenders for certain misdemeanors after a waiting period
Specific felony offenses enumerated in Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71(2)(a)
Cases resolved through successful completion of diversion programs
Juvenile records pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-265

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the court of original jurisdiction. Petitioners must:

Complete the appropriate petition form available from the Panola County Circuit Clerk's Office
Pay the required filing fee (approximately $150, though fees may vary)
Provide certified copies of disposition documents
Submit to fingerprinting if required by the court
Attend a scheduled hearing before the presiding judge

Upon granting of an expungement order, all public agencies possessing records of the arrest are directed to seal those records from public access. However, expunged records may still be available to law enforcement agencies, the courts, and certain licensing boards as permitted by statute.