Hinds County Court Records

Hinds court records comprise legal documents pertaining to the judicial process of the county’s courts. These records are valuable to the members of the judiciary, law enforcement, and other members of the public for historical, political, and judicial purposes. The insights gleaned from court case trends can offer legal guidance and provide a political understanding of the county's challenges, aiding in informed decision-making and policy formulation. Publicly available court record information in Hinds County includes dockets, case information (plaintiff and defendant names, case type, case number, filing date), judge's name, charges, and case disposition.

Are Court Records Public in Hinds County?

Yes. However, the availability of public court records in Hinds County is in keeping with the state's court policy, which is by no means governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act. Consequently, only records serving the public interest are made accessible.

While many court records are open to the public, certain records remain restricted. These include personal or private records, juvenile records, ongoing investigation records, or evidence whose disclosure may compromise the integrity of the record. Additionally, records revealing the identity of a victim or informant, those posing a risk to someone's life, and case records sealed by court order or statute are not available to the public.

Hinds County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking public court records in Hinds County may access them via online databases or by making mail/in-person requests to a record custodian. Those interested in conducting a Hinds County court record search can use resources such as the Mississippi Electronic Court System (MEC) online, inquire with the specific court that handled the case, or explore private aggregate sites.

Hinds County Court Records Search by Name

Residents in Hinds County have various options for conducting a court record search, including using a case number search or a name search through the available channels. Using the record holder's name, inquirers can search the court case database on the Mississippi Electronic Court (MEC) website or contact the specific courthouse that handled the case. To use the MEC, requesters may be required to register online. However, results are made available to users promptly.

Alternatively, individuals can send correspondence to the clerk's office or the relevant court that oversaw the particular case. For a more hands-on approach, visit the courthouse in person and request to inspect the record of interest.

While inspections are generally free within a set time limit (extended search hours may incur a fee), requests for copying records will require payment.

Hinds County Courts

Hinds County has multiple courts that handle various case types within the county. These courts consist of two Circuit Courts, one for each district, the Chancery Court with representation for each district, the County Court, the Youth Court, the Justice Court, and Municipal Courts. The addresses of these courts are,

Circuit Courts in Hinds County
Hinds County Circuit Court - 1st District
Hinds County Courthouse
407 East Pascagoula
P.O. Box 327
Jackson, MS 39205
Phone: (601) 968-6628
Fax: (601) 973-5547

Hinds County Circuit Court - 2nd District
Hinds County Courthouse Annex
127 West Main Street
P.O. Box 999
Raymond, MS 39154
Phone: (601) 857-8038
Fax: (601) 857-0535

Chancery Courts in Hinds County
Hinds County Chancery Court - 1st District
316 South President Street
P.O. Box 686
Jackson, MS 39205
Phone: (601) 968-6540
Fax: (601) 968-5535

Hinds County Chancery Court - 2nd District
Hinds County Courthouse Annex
127 West Main Street
P.O. Box 88
Raymond, MS 39154
Phone: (601) 857-8055
Fax: (601) 857-4953

County Courts in Hinds County
County Court of Hinds County
Hinds County Courthouse
407 East Pascagoula Street
Jackson, MS 39205
Phone: (601) 968-6628
Fax: (601) 973-5547

Youth Courts in Hinds County
Hinds County Youth Court
407 East Pascagoula
P.O. Box 327
Jackson, MS 39205
Phone: (601) 968-6628
Fax: (601) 973-5547

Hinds County Justice Court
Hinds County Courthouse
407 East Pascagoula Street
P.O. Box 3490
Jackson, MS 39207
Phone: (601) 965-8800
Fax: (601) 973-5532

Municipal Courts in Hinds County
Bolton Municipal Court
202 Raymond Bolton Road
P.O. Box 7
Bolton, MS 39041
Phone: (601) 866-2221
Fax: (601) 866-4374

Byram Municipal Court
5901 Terry Rd
P.O. Box 720222
Byram, MS 39272
Phone: (601) 500-7010
Fax: (601) 372-7748

Clinton Municipal Court
305 Monroe Street
Clinton, MS 39056
Phone: (601) 924-4411
Fax: (601) 925-1018

Edwards Municipal Court
310 Front Street
P.O. Box 215
Edwards, MS 39066
Phone: (601) 852-5461
Fax: (601) 852-8521

Jackson Municipal Court
Municipal Court Building
327 East Pascagoula Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 960-1938
Fax: (601) 960-1939

Raymond Municipal Court
110 Courtyard Square
P.O. Box 10
Raymond, MS 39154
Phone: (601) 857-0072
Fax: (601) 857-0105

Terry Municipal Court
315 West Cunningham Avenue
P.O. Box 327, Terry, MS 39170
Phone: (601) 878-5521
Fax: (601) 878-5535

Utica Municipal Court
110 White Oak Street
P.O. Box 335
Utica, MS 39175
Phone: (601) 885-8718
Fax: (601) 885-2807

Hinds County Superior Court Case Search

Hinds County does not have a Superior Court, but its Circuit Court operates with jurisdiction comparable to that of a Superior Court. The Circuit Court oversees two districts covering 10 cities and hears criminal and civil cases involving damages exceeding $250,000.

Individuals seeking case records for the Circuit Court can make inquiries directly through the court via mail or in person. Alternatively, they can utilize the online case management system to access the specific court records they need.

Hinds County District Court Records

Hinds County does not have a District Court but instead hosts multiple specialized courts such as Chancery, Youth, County, and Municipal Courts, each with specific jurisdictions. For example, the Chancery Court handles cases related to divorce, estate probate, child custody, equity, land matters, and mental health. Municipal Courts, on the other hand, manage minor criminal and civil cases primarily within the city where the court is situated. These courts operate within limited jurisdiction over cases in the county.

To locate a specific court record, individuals must first identify the court that handled the case or contact the clerk's office for assistance if the court is unknown. Once the court jurisdiction is established, the requester can proceed to send a mail request or visit the court in person to inspect the necessary records.

Alternatively, residents can save time by utilizing the case management system provided by MEC. By inputting the required parameters, individuals can access sorted records if they are available.

Hinds County Criminal Records

Per Mississippi Code § 25–61–3, criminal records are public records and are available to requesters, however, procuring a criminal record from law enforcement may not be as straightforward.

There is no online database maintained by the Office of the Sheriff in Hinds where individuals can access criminal records online. Members of the public who want to find Hinds County arrest and criminal records can visit the sheriff’s office to make inquiries about criminal records in the county.

On the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation web page residents can perform a name-based search. However, this search can only be carried out by the subject of the record. The applicant would need to fill out the requestor information form for a fee of $32.

Hinds County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Residents have multiple options to search for Hinds County criminals, including through on-site searches, by mail, and online.

• To search online, individuals can utilize the remote case search tool offered by MEC.
• Through mail, requesters can submit an inquiry or a completed public record request to the court.
• For on-site searches, individuals can visit the court where the case was heard or the clerk's office in person.

Get Hinds County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Hinds County are managed by the Circuit Court, Chancery, Municipal, and County Court. They include a wide range of disputes, from minor to major issues. These can include conflicts between landlords and tenants, divorce proceedings, child custody matters, adoptions, guardianships, evictions, wills, alimony, and paternity cases.

The majority of civil records are readily accessible to individuals who require them. However, it is important to note that not all records are obtainable. The civil records can be accessed through the MEC case management system online, via mail by submitting a public request form, or by visiting the Office of the Clerk to inquire about the record or the court that handled the case. Requesters are usually required to provide the name of one or both parties involved in the case or a case number. Additionally, furnishing a filing date and other relevant information can expedite the search process.

Hinds County Family Court Records

Hinds County lacks a dedicated family court, and instead, family law cases are managed by the Chancery Court. This court possesses jurisdiction over various family law matters, including adoptions, child custody, and divorces. Due to the sensitive nature of certain family court records, they are classified as confidential. However, any public records can be accessed online through the MEC's case search tool. Additionally, individuals have the option to make requests via mail or by visiting the Chancery Court.

Access to confidential records is limited to eligible individuals, typically the plaintiff, the defendant, the attorneys associated with the case, and other authorized legal practitioners or individuals.

Hinds Dissolution of Marriage Records

The Chancery Court in Hinds County oversees civil cases pertaining to the dissolution of marriages, divorces, or annulments. Individuals authorized to access these records or obtain certified copies may contact the Chancery Clerk's office in the county where the dissolution of the marriage was finalized.

To request these records, the researcher must provide the name(s) of the individual(s) involved in the case, the date of the dissolution, and potentially the date of birth of any of the parties related to the case. Providing this essential information will assist the clerk's office in locating and processing the requested records effectively.

Hinds County Marriage and Divorce Records

Mississippi marriage records are typically maintained by state and county officials. Depending on the year when the marriage took place, residents have two avenues for obtaining Hinds County marriage records: the Circuit Courthouse or the Mississippi Department of Health. Conversely, Hinds County divorce records can only be acquired from the specific Circuit Court where the case was processed.

Marriage records from January 1926 to June 1938, and from January 1942 to the present day, are accessible at the Department of Health. Requests for these records can be made via mail, in-person, online, or through phone services.

For mailed requests, applicants are required to complete and submit the Application for Certified Copy of Record of Marriage, along with a check or money order payable to the department. The processing time for such requests is anticipated to be 7-10 business days. Alternatively, individuals visiting in person can do so at the mentioned address, with fees payable by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. Online and phone orders are facilitated through an approved private vendor.

Additionally, residents can visit the courthouse where the marriage ceremony took place to review the records, a process applicable to divorce records as well.

Residents seeking to obtain a Hinds County marriage certificate or a Hinds County divorce certificate may do so from the appropriate Circuit Court, with a fee of $17 and $6 for any additional copy.

Hinds County Birth and Death Records

As per Mississippi code § 41-57-2, the Mississippi Public Records Act excludes vital records, such as Hinds County birth and death records, from public access. Only individuals who can provide valid identification are eligible to access these records. This restriction safeguards the accuracy and confidentiality of vital records, which hold significant legal value in establishing familial rights and claims.

To request a Hinds County birth or death record or a Hinds County birth certificate or death certificate, individuals must follow the same procedure used for obtaining a marriage certificate from the Mississippi Department of Health. Records are available from November 1912 to the present.

Applicants seeking records by mail must complete the appropriate form depending on the certificate type: "Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate" for birth records and "Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate" for death records. The fee for the first copy is $17, with each additional copy costing $6.

Hinds County Probate Court Records

The Chancery Court in Hinds County handles probate court matters and is responsible for maintaining the records generated from these proceedings. Typically, a Hinds probate record encompasses various documents such as dockets, petitions, wills, claims, settlements, letters, guardianships, and minutes. Individuals seeking access to probate court records can acquire copies by reaching out to the clerk's office at the courthouse.

Alternatively, inquirers can send a request via mail or utilize the Mississippi Electronic Court case management system. Similar to obtaining court records from other courts in the county, requesters need to provide case-specific information to aid in locating the relevant case files efficiently. Supplying as much known information as possible when requesting these records is recommended.

Hinds County Property Records

Property records are typically considered part of Hinds County's public records, accessible to anyone interested through various means. Detailed property information can be found on various platforms provided by the assessor's office also, the Chancery Clerk also provides property information. Some of these mediums are outlined below:

Hinds County Online Databases

This database is a collection of several records under different offices. For specific property information, individuals can review the "landroll and personal property" under the Tax Assessor, "personal property taxes and real property taxes" under the Tax Collector, or use the online payment system.

Requesters can also directly contact the Tax Assessor’s Office to inquire about county property records.

Assessors Office (1st Judicial District)
P.O. Box 22908
Jackson, MS 39225-2908
Phone: (601) 968-6616

Assessors Office (2nd Judicial District)
P.O. Box 549
Raymond, MS 39154
Phone: (601) 857-8787

There is also the option of sending an email to cstokes@co.hinds.ms.us, or a public request form can be submitted to the Assessor’s Office.

Furthermore, the Clerk of the Chancery Court maintains records including deeds and deeds of trust. Residents of Hinds County seeking such records can contact the Chancery Clerk's Office directly.

Hinds County Chancery Clerk's Office (1st Judicial District)
P.O. Box 686
Jackson, MS 39205-0686

Hinds County Chancery Clerk's Office (2nd Judicial District)
P.O. Box 88
Raymond, MS 39154

This search would provide information such as the owner's name, location, assessed value, deed information, description of the property, and appraised values.

Hinds County Court Records Online

Remote access to court records in Hinds is available through third-party websites, distinct from government-managed databases. These websites serve as repositories for various types of records, including court records, and operate independently for commercial purposes. One example of such a site is Mississippicourtrecords.us. The public can utilize these sites as they offer several advantages for conducting searches.

These searches can be conducted remotely, and the results are typically provided within minutes, eliminating the need for additional time to download or complete a request form to mail or visit the courthouse.

Additionally, private sites may offer comprehensive and detailed search results due to the breadth of information they cover. Lastly, searches on these sites are usually uncomplicated, requiring minimal to no assistance for navigation.

Conversely, users must ensure the accuracy, validity, and reliability of court records obtained from third-party sites, as some may not provide thoroughly vetted records. There is also a risk that records may be outdated or not legally viable due to privacy policy breaches. Furthermore, while a few of these sites may offer basic-level free searches, accessing a substantial amount of information often requires the payment of fees.