Lafayette County Arrest Records

In Lafayette County, local law enforcement agents and other authorized persons may apprehend or detain the suspect for questioning if a person is suspected of criminal conduct. Arrests may be with warrants or without warrants if:

• An officer witnesses a crime (or attempt)
• An officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person committed a felony, act of domestic violence, or protective order violation.
• An officer knows that the person has an outstanding arrest warrant on a misdemeanor charge.
• A convicted offender violates the terms of an intensive supervision program.
• The person to be arrested is an escaped offender.

Following an arrest, the individual may then be held in custody at the Lafayette County Detention Center until the arrest is resolved or the case is heard in court. Additionally, the arresting agency or housing facility usually creates an incident report or arrest card containing the arrestee’s photograph, fingerprints, physical descriptions, and arrest summaries. These arrest records usually mark the beginning of a criminal court case proceeding. As a result, arrest information may also be available in Lafayette County court records and an individual’s criminal record.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lafayette County?

Yes, arrest records in Lafayette County are public. According to Mississippi's Public Records Act, individuals may access arrest records upon request to the appropriate custodian, such as the Sheriff’s Department, local police, or other government agencies. However, certain records or information within them may be excluded from public disclosure. Examples of such records include:

• Investigative reports maintained by law enforcement agencies
• Victim information
• Most juvenile records
• Other information deemed confidential by law
• Attorney-client information and other records protected by privilege
• Documents that would reveal the identity of witnesses or informants.
• Personnel records such as the private information, addresses, or personal contact details of criminal investigators, law enforcement officers, district attorneys, etc.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public Lafayette County arrest records include information about the suspect, the circumstances surrounding the arrest, the agency and officer who conducted the arrest, and how the arrest was resolved. Therefore, public arrest records in Lafayette County usually contain the following information:

• Arrestee's name and identification
• Alleged offense(s) or initial charge(s)
• Offense time, date, and location
• List of seized property
• An account of the incident
• Arresting agency details
• Other known information on arrest, warrant, booking, bond, court case, or release.

Lafayette County Arrest Statistics

In 2023, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department reported 221 arrests to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, all of which were adult arrests. In descending order, offense categories with the most incidents included driving under the influence (DUI), simple assaults, and drug/narcotics violations.

In contrast, the four years of arrest data from 2020 to 2023 show a similar arrest trend. Offense categories in this period with a higher arrest rate included DUIs, simple assaults, drug/narcotics violations, aggravated assault, and burglary.

Find Lafayette County Arrest Records

Locating arrest records in Lafayette County depends on the agency that carried out the arrest or the facility that housed the arrestee. The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) has an online inmate search tool that record seekers may use to find inmates in any MDOC facility. Users can search by name or MDOC ID number to view the profiles of relevant matches, which may include:

• Inmate’s name, sex, and date of birth
• Inmate’s mugshot and physical description
• Offense details
• Sentence details
• County of conviction
• Incarceration details.

Alternatively, interested persons may use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator to find current and former inmates in federal facilities by name or assigned inmate number. For county-specific searches, direct requests to the specific arresting agency or the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department, which manages the county jail located at:

Lafayette County Detention Center

711 East Jackson Avenue,
Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Phone: (662) 234-6421
Fax: (662) 232-8062

Free Arrest Record Search in Lafayette County

The Lafayette County Detention Center or County Jail website does not provide an online roster or search tool to view inmate information for free (as of October 2024). However, interested persons may still inspect jail rosters and Sheriff’s Department arrest records in person without paying fees for duplicating and mailing the document. Interested persons should gather specific inmate, arrestee, or arrest descriptions and contact/visit:

Lafayette County Sheriff's Department/Jail

711 East Jackson Avenue,
Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Phone: (662) 234-6421
Fax: (662) 236-0203
Fax: (662) 232-8062 (jail)

For records of arrests carried out by other agencies, interested persons should direct requests to the specific custodian. Third-party websites may also provide access to Lafayette County arrest records. To use these platforms, users must provide a subject's name, location, and arrest date to streamline search results. However, it is important to note that some third-party websites only disclose limited information following an inquiry and provide access to the full record for a fee or after a subscription.

Lafayette County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Lafayette County, criminal records generally originate from arrest records. This is because a record does not usually exist until the first time an individual is arrested and fingerprinted, and the record eventually develops with each case update. However, while both records are connected and maintained by criminal justice agencies, arrest records are different from criminal records.

The primary distinction between these documents is the focus and extent of information contained in each record. Arrest records focus on an arrest incident, providing summaries that cover the offense, arrest procedure, and arrested person. On the other hand, criminal records focus on an individual’s criminal history within a jurisdiction and contain information collated from various criminal justice agencies. Therefore, criminal records often contain information on arrests, prosecution, conviction, and incarceration.

In overview, Lafayette County arrest records cannot serve as proof of conviction as arrests do not always result in convictions. These documents mostly show that the record subject was suspected of committing an offense.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An arrest record may remain on an individual's record indefinitely even if criminal charges are dismissed, or the defendant is found "not guilty" at trial. These records may even be available to potential employers, schools, and other members of the public, in line with the state’s Public Records Act.

An expungement is the only way to remove non-conviction arrest records from public access. Certain convictions may also qualify for expungement if the offense is a minor misdemeanor or a non-violent and non-sexual felony. Automatic expungement of eligible arrest and criminal records may also commence once the Mississippi Clean Slate Act becomes active.

Expunge Lafayette County Arrest Records

Expunging an arrest record or eligible convictions in Lafayette County removes documents relating to the arrest or case from public access. This means that while courts and agencies like the Mississippi Criminal Information Center and District Attorney's Office may keep records of the case, members of the public will be unable to access them through searches conducted through these agencies.

An arrest in Lafayette County may qualify for expunction if it results in non-conviction, i.e. dismissed charges, no charges, or not-guilty verdict. Arrest records relating to certain eligible convictions under Mississippi Code § 99-19-71 may also be expunged along with the conviction records.

To apply, eligible persons may complete the following steps:

• Obtain an expungement form from the court of charge
• Prepare an affidavit that includes a testimonial of good behavior and verification that any outstanding convictions or civil judgments have been completed.
• Obtain two affidavits from unrelated individuals in the neighborhood.
• Make copies of all documents and submit the original petition and supporting documentation to the court clerk. Ensure to pay applicable filing fees.
• Notify the District Attorney ten days before any hearing.

The court, upon determining that the petitioner qualifies for expunction and is rehabilitated from the offense, shall order the expungement and notify agencies keeping records relating to the record of the order.

Lafayette County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Lafayette County are official court documents that authorize law enforcement officers to apprehend a suspect. Judges issue warrants if a defendant fails to appear after receiving a summons or upon the filing of a charging affidavit that provides reasonable ground to believe that the subject committed a crime.

Lafayette County arrest warrants include details such as:

• The defendant's full name, if known, or aliases and any identifiable description
• The defendant's last known address
• The charged offense
• The command for arrest and court appearance
• Any bail or release conditions (if bailable)

Arrest warrants, like other arrest records, are subject to disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act unless they are categorized as confidential by the court. As a result, interested parties may conduct arrest warrant searches by visiting the local sheriff's department or police department for information on pending warrants. Because judges issue warrants, individuals may also obtain warrant information from court clerks.

Do Lafayette County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Lafayette County arrest warrants do not expire and do not have a statute of limitations as the case has already been initiated upon the filing of a criminal complaint or affidavits. Rather, they remain active, valid, and actionable until an officer serves the warrant, the issuing body quashes the warrant, or the subject dies.

Individuals who find an arrest warrant in their name should seek legal guidance from an attorney to determine the best course of action. It is critical to address the situation proactively, as the defendant risks arrest whenever they contact the authorities.