Criminal records are public to a limited extent in Mississippi, which is the case for all states. However, Mississippi is one of the few states that does not have an online portal for criminal record checks. This may make it more difficult for someone else to obtain a copy of your record. However, it will also make it more difficult if you need to get a copy of your own record. Read on to learn more about criminal records in Mississippi.
What are Mississippi Criminal Records?
Criminal records in Mississippi have the same basic information that they have in other states. A criminal record will include the following information:
- Full legal name
- Any aliases
- Current address
- Previous addresses
- Picture
- Fingerprints
- Misdemeanor and felony convictions
- Arrests
- Acquittals
- Charges
- Warrants
There is a common misconception that a criminal record only records convictions. However, a great deal more information is recorded.
How are Mississippi Criminal Records Used?
There are three main ways that Mississippi criminal records are used. Most commonly, they are accessed by employers who are performing a background check. You have to give permission in writing for an employer to access your criminal records as part of a background check. Your records could also be accessed if you apply for a license, like a firearms license or a license to practice law. Finally, law enforcement officials may access your records in the course of their duties.
It is important to note that you have to give consent for a third party doing a background check to access your records. You also have to give consent for the government to review your records if you have applied for a license. Of course, law enforcement does not need your consent to access your records.
How Someone Could Access Another Person’s Mississippi Criminal Record
Mississippi makes it more difficult than other states to access somebody else’s criminal records. Generally, the only way that this could happen is if that person works for an authorized background check service or for a law enforcement agency. In some other states, it is legal for someone to simply request your records online for any reason. You do not have to worry about this happening in Mississippi. However, Mississippi is moving towards digitizing more court records, so it could be easier to access someone’s criminal record in the future.
Requesting a Mississippi Criminal Record
As previously mentioned, you have to request a Mississippi criminal record in person or by mail unless you work for a law enforcement agency or an authorized background check service. If you want to request a criminal record by mail, the address is:
P.O. Box 249, Jackson, MS 39205
The street address is
Jackson, MS 39201
You can get more information on the Mississippi Office of the Clerk site.