Forrest County Arrest Records

In Forrest County, an arrest occurs when a law enforcement official takes someone into custody to question them about a crime or offense. If a law enforcement officer observes a crime, knows about it, or sees a suspect attempting to flee, they may make an arrest.

Per the Mississippi rules of criminal procedure, the officer may obtain an arrest warrant from a Forest County court to make an arrest. However, on occasions when the crime is ongoing, the suspect is trying to flee, or the absence of a warrant will not result in a failure of justice, the warrant is not required.

Mississippi law defines arrest records as documents that show information about an arrest that a law enforcement agency makes. Forest County arrest records are produced and maintained at the arresting agency and the Mississippi Justice Information Center. The judiciary and law enforcement place much value on Forest County arrest records. For example, arrest records are a valuable part of Forrest County court records and are regarded as an essential piece of criminal justice information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Forrest County?

Yes, arrest records are regarded as public records in Forest County per the Mississippi Public Records Act and Freedom of Information laws. The law permits access to public records as a duty of each public body. It allows persons interested in law enforcement records to make requests from any custodian of the records in the county. However, there are a few limitations on accessing some of the records. Some arrest records are exempted from duplicate public records due to their sensitive nature or by a court order. Specific information on arrest records may be redacted because access to these data will constitute an invasion of privacy. Some categories of arrest records that are exempt from public disclosure include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Arrest records that are part of an investigative and detective report may compromise an ongoing investigation if released prematurely
• Arrest documents that would identify witnesses or informants.
• Arrest records that, if made public, could jeopardize a public official's life or safety.
• Arrest Records related to pending litigation

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following information is usually contained in a Forest County public arrest record:

• The arrested person's full name, age, and address
• A physical description of the arrested person
• The arrested person's fingerprints and mugshot
• The arrest's date, time, and place
• The charges were made against the detained individual
• The police department that made the arrest
• Details about bonds or bail
• The court where the matter was tried
• Any details on the punishment status, such as fines, probation, or incarceration
• Details about the individual's scheduled release, such as the date and terms of release

Forrest County Arrest Statistics

The FBI Data Crime Explorer portal maintains arrest statistics specific to the Forest County Sheriff's Department. Arrest statistics reveal that the department made 151 arrests in 2023. Most of the arrests were for simple assault (28), which made up 19% of the total arrests made by the department. The second highest number of arrests was for offenses against families and children (21), and this category made up 14% of the arrests made in 2024. The fewest arrests were for sex offenses and stolen property, with only one arrest made for criminal offenses.

Find Forrest County Arrest Records

Members of the public may find Forest County arrest records by making a public records request to the custodians or by performing a local records check at the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. Custodians of arrest records in Forest County include the county court clerk's office, where the criminal proceeding took place, or the records manager at the county sheriff's office and police department that made the arrest.

For public records requests, interested individuals can visit the records divisions of the county police department and complete a public records request form. The form can also be collected, completed, and mailed to the law enforcement office. Requestors must select "police records" on the form and provide the following information for staff to use to search for records:

• The subject's full name
• The subject's social security number (SSN)
• Case number and a description of the arrest
• Date and time of the arrest

Alternatively, individuals can perform a local records check from the arresting agency's database, a more specific way of obtaining arrest records. This request can be made verbally at the arresting agency's office. A forrest county arrest record search costs $15 with a further 0.25$ to make extra copies of the records.

People who have recently been arrested can usually be found in the temporary holding facility of the arresting agency 24 hours after the arrest. If the individual is charged and bail is not made, they are moved to the Forrest County Jail, which the Forrest County Sheriffs operate. If searching for persons held within the jail, individuals can look up the Forest County inmate roster online or call the jail authorities at (601) 545-6148.

Free Arrest Record Search in Forrest County

A free arrest record search can be performed at the Forrest County Sheriff's Office. Individuals needing these records can request to waive the fees if they can prove they cannot pay the fee. Requestors will be made to sign an affidavit to this effect.

Another free arrest record search option in Forrest County is through third-party websites. Third-party websites are independent companies that collect arrest records and other public records from government custodians. They sometimes provide free remote access to these records. Persons only need to search these sites using the person's name on the record. It is important to ensure that the records from these sites are accurate and up-to-date by checking their sources.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Records of Arrests in Forrest County that have been entered into the local databases and sent to the Mississippi Crime Information Center(MCIC) will remain on both agencies' files indefinitely. This also holds true for arrests that did not lead to charges brought against a subject. The only way to completely erase this data is to have the records expunged. No one will be found guilty of lying under the expungement if they do not disclose their arrest, indictment, or conviction when questioned unless it is to determine if they are a first-time offender.

Expunge Forrest County Arrest Records

Expungement is a way for people to delete their criminal records from all official records. The eligibility for expungement depends on the crime a person was arrested for, the court's decision, time spent without committing a crime after an arrest, and whether it was a first-time offense. In general, the following categories of persons are eligible to have their arrest records expunged in Mississippi:

• First-time offenders arrested for misdemeanors who were not arrested for traffic-based violations.
• In any misdemeanor case where an arrest was made, the arrested individual was freed, the case was dismissed, and the charges were withdrawn.
• Any minor with a misdemeanor for possession of a banned substance 1 year following the charge's dismissal, the completion of any sentence, and/or the payment of any fine
• First-time DUI offenders who do not possess a commercial driver's license or commercial learning permit at the time of the offense are eligible to petition the court five years after the successful completion of all terms and conditions of the sentence.

Class 2 Felony offenses are also eligible for expungement if they are one-time offenders, even in the event of a conviction or guilty plea. However, Some violent crimes, such as homicide, manslaughter, felony firearm possession, robbery, rape, and sexual abuse, are never expungable.

In Forrest County, Mississippi, the following felony convictions are among those that can be removed from a person's record:

• Possession of a prohibited substance or its paraphernalia under Section
• Pretense and larceny under Section
• Malicious mischief
• ad check crime

Eligible individuals can Expunge arrest records by following these steps:

• If an applicant is eligible for expungement, the first step is to submit a petition to the Forest County court. The county court clerk will supply the petition form and submit it for a $150 charge.
• Following filing the petition, the judge may set a hearing to consider the case. If the judge approves an expungement, the appropriate agencies will be ordered to erase the records.

Forrest County Arrest Warrants

Forrest County Arrest Warrant is a written order issued by a judge that directs law enforcement to apprehend and detain a suspect for committing a crime.

Arrest warrants are issued in Mississippi when a law enforcement officer submits a "charging affidavit" complaint to the court judge or clerk. The charging affidavit provides written evidence that there is reason to believe that a crime has been committed. The judge issues the warrant if sufficient probable cause suggests a crime has been committed.

According to Mississippi Criminal Procedure Rule 3.2, an arrest warrant must include the following details:

• The defendant's full name or a description of the defendant
• The defendant's address
• The offense for which the defendant is charged;
• The authorities authorized to make the arrest.
• The signature of the judge
• Information about bail, if set

Anyone can find Forest County arrest records by visiting the Warrants/Process Unit of the Forest County Sheriff's Office. Requests can be made to the office in person.

Do Forrest County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, warrants in Forest County never expire. If the police cannot locate the subject of the warrant after an extended period, they are not immediately withdrawn. Unless the judge recalls or quashes it, the warrant will remain in effect until the subject dies. An arrest warrant is not invalidated by a simple mistake in it. Generally speaking, aliases, false names, and descriptions can be changed if a judge finds them inaccurate.