These records document the entire legal process when a person is accused of violating state or local criminal laws—from arrest and arraignment to trial, conviction, sentencing, and possible appeals. They are kept by courts at the county and municipal levels, and in some cases by appellate courts.
A typical Mississippi criminal court record may include mississippi criminal court records the defendant’s name, date of birth, case number, charges filed by prosecutors, arrest reports, bail or bond decisions, court motions, hearing transcripts, evidence lists, judicial rulings, plea agreements, verdicts, sentencing orders, and post-conviction filings. In felony cases, the circuit courts are the primary custodians. For misdemeanors or preliminary matters, justice courts or municipal courts may hold the files.
Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, most criminal court records are considered public, meaning members of the public have the right to inspect or obtain copies unless a court has sealed them or a specific statute makes them confidential. Sealing or restricted access may apply to juvenile cases, mental health–related proceedings, certain expunged records, or matters involving protected victims (such as minors or victims of sexual assault). Parts of a record may be redacted to protect sensitive personal information even if the remainder is accessible.
Access to Mississippi criminal court records is possible through several channels. In many counties, clerks’ offices allow in-person requests; some maintain online portals for case lookup. The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system provides online access to many filings, though users may need an account and may be charged fees for downloads.