Hancock County Arrest Records

In Hancock County, Mississippi, law enforcement officers may make arrests if they witness criminal activities, the court issues arrest warrants, or an individual threatens public safety.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP), and other law enforcement agencies conduct arrests and generate documents that may become part of Hancock County court records.

In Hancock County, law enforcement detains arrestees and convicts at the Hancock County Corrections. However, law enforcement agencies may also keep inmates at municipal holding cells, juvenile detention centers, and state or federal prisons (for long-term sentences or federal offenses).

Are Arrest Records Public in Hancock County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Hancock County. According to Chapter 61, Title 25 of the Mississippi Public Records Act, every individual can access government records (including Hancock County arrest documents) from their respective custodian agencies unless there are legal restrictions. However, custodian agencies will exempt from public disclosure some Hancock County arrest records that involve:

• Juveniles
• Sealed or expunged records
• Ongoing criminal investigations
• Sensitive personal information
• Victims of sensitive crimes
• Confidential informants.

Exempted Hancock County arrest records are limited to individuals whose names are on the records and legal entities.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office creates and maintains arrest records within the county. Hancock County arrest information seekers should contact the office at:

Hancock County Sheriff's Office
8450 U.S. Highway 90
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
Phone: (228) 466-6900
Fax: (228) 255-8246
Email: so2@co.hancock.ms.us.

Hancock County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database, there were 8,200 arrests within Hancock County between January 2020 and December 2023. A breakdown of the above figure shows 3,053, 2,134, 1,458, and 1,583 arrests for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. By gender composition, 66% of Hancock County arrestees within this period were males, while females accounted for 34%.

Per the FBI statistics, drug incidents, DUIs, and simple assaults were the most prevalent offenses within Hancock County; they accounted for over 41% of all arrests during this period.

The table below summarizes arrest incidents within Hancock County between 2020 and 2023.

Find Hancock County Arrest Records

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office provides the inmate list to provide access to inmate information. The list can be searched by name, and provides the inmate’s name, mugshot, charges, arresting agency, book date, and release date.

Also, interested public members seeking to access Hancock County arrest records should log in to the Mississippi Department of Corrections Inmate Search Portal. These online search tools provide statewide access to inmate records (including Hancock County arrest records). Also, for arrests that result in criminal prosecutions, information seekers should call, mail, or visit in person the Hancock County Circuit Court Clerk at:

152 Main Street
Suite B
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
Phone: (228) 467-5265
Fax: (228) 467-2779
Email: juryduty@co.hancock.ms.us.

Hancock County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Hancock County arrest records and criminal records are related but contain different information. They are crucial documents for criminal investigations.

An arrest record is a document detailing an individual’s arrest history. It encompasses the personal information of an arrestee and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. In Hancock County, law enforcement agencies generate arrest records when they arrest and detain individuals for arrestable offenses. Under Mississippi law, an arrest does not imply guilt or innocence of a crime until proven guilty by the court. Additionally, arrests may not significantly impact record owners if they do not result in convictions.

Hancock County criminal records are court-generated documents that contain arrest documents and other court files on criminal trials, charges, convictions, and incarcerations. Criminal records are legal confirmation that the court finds the owners of the records guilty of criminal offenses. Also, Hancock County criminal records may negatively impact social status, housing, employment, and other opportunities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Hancock County, arrest information stays on a record permanently unless the court seals or expunges it. Per Mississippi Code § 99-19-71, individuals may petition the Hancock County courts to remove their arrest records if they meet the following eligibility criteria and waiting periods:

• Arrest with no conviction– the record owner may petition the court immediately after dismissal, acquittal, or a nolle prosequi
• Deferred judgment– immediately after completing the probation
• Youthful offenders under 21 years (must not be a violent crime or sex offense) – may petition the court immediately after completing the sentence for the crime
• First-time non-violent misdemeanor conviction (does not include traffic violation)– immediately after successful completion of the sentence
• Non-violent felony conviction and first-time DUI offense– five years after completion of the sentence (including probation).

In addition, the petitioner must have no pending criminal charges and pay all court fines or restitution.

Hancock County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal documents issued by courts authorizing law enforcement to arrest suspects. The Hancock County judge/magistrate may issue an arrest warrant when law enforcement or a prosecutor provides sufficient evidence to prove that an individual commits a crime. Also, Hancock County courts may issue arrest warrants for individuals who flout court orders, violate probation/parole, or disregard protective orders.

Generally, a valid arrest warrant contains information that includes but is not limited to the following:

• Name and physical description of the suspect
• Date and time of issuance of the warrant
• Charges against the subject and statute alleged violated
• Statement of probable cause
• Name and signature of issuing judge/magistrate
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the arrest warrant
• Name and location of the issuing court.

Do Hancock County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Hancock County arrest warrants do not expire. When a judge/magistrate of any Hancock County court issues an arrest warrant, it remains active indefinitely until:

• Law enforcement executes the warrant and arrests the subject
• The court recalls the warrant
• The death of the individual whose name is on the warrant.