Simpson County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Simpson County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Simpson County may access publicly available information through SimpsonRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Simpson County, Mississippi, may include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, conviction histories, and active warrant information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the offense, and whether the record has been sealed or expunged under applicable law.
Records that may be located through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records maintained by the Simpson County Sheriff's Office
- Circuit and county court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction histories
- Active and recalled warrants
- Sex offender registration entries
- Jail inmate rosters and bond information
- State-level criminal history reports maintained by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety
1. County Court Records
The Simpson County Circuit Court and County Court maintain case files for criminal proceedings originating within the county. Members of the public may inspect non-restricted court records in person at the Simpson County Courthouse during regular business hours.
Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk
109 W. Pine Ave
Mendenhall, MS 39114
Phone: (601) 847-2626
Simpson County Circuit Court
Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate date of birth or case number. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for on-site case searches. Staff may assist with locating case numbers but are not authorized to provide legal guidance.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Simpson County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with Mississippi public records law.
Simpson County Sheriff's Office
105 W. Pine Ave
Mendenhall, MS 39114
Phone: (601) 847-2155
Simpson County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts provides the Mississippi Electronic Courts portal, through which members of the public may search for circuit and county court case information statewide. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date. Not all historical records are available electronically; cases predating digitization may require an in-person request.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center, serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certified reports, fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
1900 E. Woodrow Wilson Ave
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 987-1212
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be directed to the Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk at 109 W. Pine Ave, Mendenhall, MS 39114. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Simpson County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Simpson County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing records generated from the point of arrest through final case disposition. Under Mississippi law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the justice process.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt, whether by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification of offense under Mississippi law and carry greater penalties. Misdemeanor records reflect lesser offenses adjudicated at the county court level.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are at present sealed by operation of law and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Simpson County include:
- Simpson County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail booking records, inmate rosters
- Simpson County Circuit Court — felony case files, pleas, verdicts, sentencing orders
- Simpson County Court — misdemeanor case files and dispositions
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety — statewide criminal history repository
Records may reflect charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing terms, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status. The Mississippi courts system provides the authoritative source for court-generated records.
Are Criminal Records Public In Simpson County
Criminal records in Simpson County are at present subject to public disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1 et seq., which establishes a general presumption in favor of public access to government records. As stated in the Act, "all public records are intended to be available to the public," subject to enumerated exceptions.
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing orders, and booking information for individuals who have been formally charged. The following categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed pursuant to Mississippi Code § 43-21-261
- Records that have been expunged by court order
- Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to a court-issued sealing order
The Mississippi Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of the Public Records Act, and members of the public may consult the Mississippi Attorney General for interpretive guidance on access disputes. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to state open records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Simpson County Online
Official County Resources
The Simpson County government website provides access to general county information, and the circuit court clerk's office can direct requestors to available online tools. The Mississippi Electronic Courts portal allows case-level searches for circuit and county court proceedings statewide, including Simpson County. Users may search by full name, partial name, or case number. The portal reflects case status, filing dates, charges, and dispositions for cases within its database.
State-Level Resources
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety administers the state's criminal history background check system. Statewide searches are available for authorized requestors and, in certain circumstances, members of the public seeking their own records. The Mississippi courts portal serves as the primary statewide tool for court record searches.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations
- Case number searches yield the most precise results and eliminate false matches
- Cross-reference results across the court portal and the sheriff's office inmate database
- Note that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing databases
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag and may not capture the most recent case activity. Historical records predating digitization are not available through online portals and require in-person requests. Online search results do not constitute an official background check and are not suitable for employment screening or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Simpson County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Inspection of criminal court records at the Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk's office is available during regular business hours at no cost. Copying fees apply to reproduced documents.
2. Free Online Databases
The Mississippi Electronic Courts portal provides free case-level searches for court records. The Simpson County Sheriff's Office publishes inmate roster information at no charge through the county website. Arrest logs and booking reports are available for public inspection without fee.
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Simpson County Sheriff's Office are available for public inspection at the sheriff's office during business hours.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$2.00 per page (varies) |
| Official state criminal history report | $25.00 (Mississippi DPS) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $50.00+ (varies by purpose) |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fee schedules are established pursuant to Mississippi public records law and are subject to revision by the applicable agency. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Simpson County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Simpson County criminal record at present includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and, where applicable, an FBI identification number.
Arrest Information
Arrest records reflect the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the assigned case number, the court and jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges with felony or misdemeanor classification, plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing terms including incarceration length, fines, restitution, probation or parole conditions, and any appellate proceedings.
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the Mississippi Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI and DWI adjudications
- Pending charges not yet resolved
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under § 43-21-261)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion program records where expungement has been granted
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may petition the originating agency or the court for correction. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety provides a formal challenge process for disputed criminal history entries.
How Long Does Simpson County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Mississippi court records retention is governed by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History records retention schedules, which establish minimum retention periods for public agency records. Courts are required to retain records in accordance with these schedules, and permanent retention applies to felony conviction records.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the circuit court and the state repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained for a minimum period established by the retention schedule; at present, many are retained permanently in electronic form
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by the sheriff's office for a defined period; subject to expungement petition under Mississippi law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained with disposition noted; eligible for expungement under Mississippi Code § 99-19-71
- Juvenile records: Sealed at the conclusion of juvenile proceedings; destruction timelines governed by § 43-21-261
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- Simpson County Circuit Court: Permanent retention for felony case files per state retention rules
- Simpson County Sheriff's Office: Booking and arrest records retained per agency policy and state schedule
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety: Permanent retention for conviction records in the state criminal history repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are at present retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction results in permanent elimination of the physical record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under § 99-19-71, removes the record from public access and, in qualifying cases, from law enforcement databases. Eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the passage of a required waiting period.
Pre-digital records may require special requests directed to the Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk or the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Even where a county agency has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless a court order of expungement has been entered and transmitted to all relevant repositories.
Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act reflect convictions within the preceding seven to ten years for most positions, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure regardless of age. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are subject to separate federal retention rules and are not affected by state expungement orders.