Arrest records are public documents in Vicksburg, 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 available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental functions, including:
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information within these documents may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.
The City of Vicksburg maintains multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Mississippi's commitment to governmental transparency, the following official methods are available for obtaining arrest record information:
Vicksburg Police Department
820 Veto Street
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Phone: 601-636-2511
Official Website
Online Access: The City of Vicksburg maintains an arrest reports portal where recent arrest information is published in accordance with public information laws.
Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division at the address listed above. Requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific information sought, and applicable time period.
Records Request Form: Standard forms for requesting police records and reports are available at the police department and on the official city website. Completed forms may be submitted in person or by mail.
Processing times for record requests typically range from 3-10 business days, depending on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7.
Arrest records maintained by the Vicksburg Police Department contain standardized information as required by Mississippi law and departmental policy. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Demographic Information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and other identifying characteristics of the arrested individual
Arrest Circumstances: Date, time, and location of the arrest; arresting officer(s); and the legal authority under which the arrest was made
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Mississippi state law or Vicksburg municipal ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including citation of relevant statutes
Booking Information: Processing details including fingerprinting, photographing, and property inventory procedures conducted at the time of booking
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including court dates, bail/bond information, and case numbers
Agency Information: Identification of the law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest and subsequent processing
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-9, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, information regarding juvenile offenders, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
The State of Mississippi provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by the Vicksburg Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Expungement procedures are governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71 and related statutes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement of Vicksburg arrest records include:
Case Disposition: Arrests that did not result in conviction, cases that were dismissed, or instances where the individual was found not guilty may qualify for expungement.
First-Time Offenders: Individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors as first-time offenders may petition for expungement five years after completion of all sentencing requirements.
Waiting Periods: Statutory waiting periods must be observed before filing for expungement, varying from immediate eligibility for non-conviction records to multi-year waiting periods for conviction records.
The expungement process requires:
Warren County Circuit Court
1009 Cherry Street
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Phone: 601-636-3961
Upon successful expungement, records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute. Expunged records do not appear in standard background checks conducted by employers or the general public.