Lamar County Arrest Records

Violating Lamar County ordinance or state and federal law within a jurisdiction can result in the offender's apprehension and subsequent processing into the criminal justice agency database, starting with the county Jail or any other designated facility (for holding juvenile offenders).

Whatever the case, the arresting officer typically books the suspect by documenting pertinent details, including their name, physical descriptors, arrest details, fingerprints, mugshots, etc. This booking process is what creates an arrest record. Anyone interested in locating their loved ones in custody or awaiting bail at the correctional facility should look up Lamar County arrest records at the county sheriff's office.

However, in some cases, an alleged offender may be required to appear before a reputable judge within 48 hours for further deliberations. The court clerk may collect their arrest information and other generated files from the initial arraignment and subsequent court proceedings to create the Lamar County court records. While the defendant continues their journey through the criminal justice system, other law enforcement entities typically generate and upload their conviction information, inmate files, and criminal records into a publicly accessible database.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lamar County?

Yes. Mississippi's Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. §§ 25-61-1 et seq.) establishes that Lamar County arrest records are publicly accessible information. Per the act, public entities, including sheriff's offices and police departments, are expected to disseminate such official records to interested persons. These records include police reports and incident data, including pertinent details of apprehension, detainment, bail, release, and other applicable conviction information.

However, this access is not absolute, as certain arrest documents or information are too sensitive for public consumption. The following restrictions that apply to the general public's access include:

• Arrest records created for minors under 18
• Law enforcement records where disclosure may jeopardize the safety of informants, crime witnesses, and law enforcement officers
• Records where disclosure may deprive an individual's right to an impartial adjudication or fair trial
• Records where disclosure may jeopardize a prosecutor's ability to prosecute the alleged offense
• Financial information, including credit numbers and bank account
• Confidential government-issued personal identification numbers, passport numbers, driver's license numbers, and social security
• Sealed and expunged records

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

As earlier mentioned, not all sections of an arrest record are accessible to members of the public. Nonetheless, the following information is documented during an arrest booking process:

• Demographic data: The suspect's personal information, such as their full name, age, ethnicity, marital status, last known address, and employment
• Physical Descriptors: The defendant's weight, height, weight, hair color, and eye color
• Details of the arrest: Alleged offense(s), location of the arrest, inmate classification, the arresting agency, the arresting officer, the arrest date and time, and where the person is being detained
• Booking information: Booking date and number
• Charges: Code, court date, court type, court name, and status
• Bail/Bond information: Bond type and amount
• Case: Status, fine amount, sentence
• Release date

Lamar County Arrest Statistics

Currently, no public arrest statistics reports for Lamar County arrest statistics are available online. Be that as it may, requesters may approach the local law enforcement agencies within their locality for inquiries.

Find Lamar County Arrest Records

Lamar County arrest records are primarily generated and disseminated to requesters by the County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. Still, state and federal law enforcement also maintain conviction information of arrestees in their custody for breaking certain state or federal laws. However, state and federal institutions also retain records of individuals arrested in Arlington County for state and federal crimes.

Arlington County arrest records are primarily created and maintained by the County Sheriff's Office and Police Department. However, state and federal institutions also retain records of individuals arrested in Arlington County for state and federal crimes.

Local Police Department

Local police departments, like the Hattiesburg Police Department, allow members of the public to request access to incident reports that occurred within their jurisdiction. Requests can be made in person at the police department's record division location at 300 Klondyke Street during official business or via phone at (601) 545-4964

On the other hand, email requests can be made by completing and submitting the public records request form to records1@hattiesburgms.com. There are no fees attached for copying 25 pages or less are issued. However, copies exceeding 25 pages may attract a service charge of 15 cents per page, beginning from page one.

Lamar County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office manages information on inmates in their custody at the county's detention facility. Anyone seeking to find inmates in custody should use the Jail Tracker provided by the office for members of the public.

Users can perform an inmate search using a first and last name. The system displays search results, including the inmate's mugshot, case status, booking number and date, inmate classification, alleged offense, release date, and where the person is detained. People can also visit the office in person during official business hours.

Mississippi Department of Corrections

The Mississippi Department of Corrections is responsible for rehabilitating inmates transferred from Lamar County detention facility. These inmates are usually sentenced for serious felonies or misdemeanors. Anyone seeking information on such inmates can access the department's Online Inmate Records Requests. The DOC also offers an Inmate Search tool for retrieving information on inmates by name or ID number.

On the other hand, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center is the central repository of all criminal history information. Usually, a person's criminal record provides insights into their arrest histories, incarceration, and parole/probation. To get a copy of this record, the subject of the record may explore the Name-Based Background Check. Each request costs $32.

Meanwhile, businesses, licensing agencies, and employees seeking to do a background check on a subject should fill out and submit the Release Background Authorization Form. Requesters are expected to submit this form along with a $32 money order and necessary State Identification Card or Driver's License to:

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation
Attn: Criminal Information Center/Background Checks
3891 Highway 468
West Pearl, MS 39208

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Details about arrestees in federal custody are typically maintained by the responsible arresting agency. Anyone requesting such information should identify the arresting agency and determine their record release policy. For example, the Bureau of Prisons allows requesters to locate federal prisoners using the Inmate Locator tool. One may also contact the agency by phone or visit the nearest FBI field office during official business hours.

Likewise, other federal institutions like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement maintain an Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) for members of the public to find details of arrestees in the agency's custody.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lamar County

Individuals can utilize the above-mentioned online resources to perform a free arrest record search in Lamar County. However, government agencies are not the only available repositories for retrieving arrest information. Certain third-party aggregate websites offer online search tools for finding arrest data from multiple agencies for free.

Although they are independently owned, these public record services collect information from law enforcement agencies, including the county sheriff's office and police departments., Depending on the service, requesters can search using the arrestee's name and booking number or scrolling through a list. These sites pool publicly available information to a friendly interface, thus making it easier for people to find Lamar County arrest records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Although subjects of the record can submit a motion to expunge their arrest records in Lamar County. Thus, making it publicly inaccessible. Regardless, criminal justice agencies may retain access to vital criminal information and documents in cases where the subject is not qualified for a record expungement.

Expunge Lamar County Arrest Records

Mississippi Code § 99-19-71 governs the process of expunging a person's arrest information from public records. This legal procedure restores a person's legal status and removes the stigma of having a criminal history record. If approved, the person's information will not appear during background subjects, and the record owners may claim that the arrest did not occur when asked.

Both adults and juvenile arrestees can expunge their arrest records in Lamar County. However, the applicant should ensure that they are eligible for an expungement. The following criteria apply to record expungement in Mississippi:

• The subject is a first-time offender arrested for a misdemeanor, excluding traffic violations.
• The offender is released from custody.
• The case was dismissed, and charges were dropped by the prosecutor or the presiding court.
• The subject was found not guilty.
• The arrestee has fulfilled any court-ordered probation terms and punishments.
• The subject has remained in good standing with the law.

Before filing a motion for expungement, one should confirm that there are no pending convictions or ongoing investigations connected to the record of interest.

Nonetheless, certain offenses may require a specific waiting period before one can apply for expungement. They include the following:

• Felony offenses, except a crime of violence, require a five-year waiting period.
• Municipal Court misdemeanor convictions require two years.
• First-time DUI arrests require five years
• Alcohol-related offenses for minors below 21 require at least one year

Petitioners should visit the Lamar County Circuit Clerk at the location of the local court having current jurisdiction on the specific case to be expunged to obtain necessary information about the administrative procedures.

The office may request the following documents:

• An affidavit or personal statement confirming that the subject has maintained good moral character since the offense. The affidavit should also state clearly that all case demands, including fines and bonds, are completely paid in full and whether there are pending convictions in other cases.
• Additional affidavits from trustworthy persons within the community are needed to confirm the petitioner's character and reputation since the arrest.

Along with the affidavit, one may file the petition to the Circut Clerk's office during official business hours and a written notice to a district attorney (for felony offense expungement). Expunction may attract a processing fee of $150. In most cases, the court may call for a court hearing or issue an order to expunge the arrest record without any court hearing.

Lamar County Arrest Warrants

A law enforcement officer in Lamar County can present probable cause or evidence to the court to receive a warrant for someone's apprehension and possible prosecution. Upon filing the petition, the sitting judge may approve such a request provided there is solid proof to believe that the named subject is an alleged offender. (Miss. R. Crim. P. 3.1.).

Per the rule, an arrest warrant must be issued in writing and contain the following pertinent information:

• The name (or known aliases) of the person to be arrested and presented in court.
• The alleged offenses and statute
• The date and county/city of issuance
• The title and office of the issuing judge
• The bond type and amount

A Lamar County arrest warrant should instruct the affiant who executes such an order to bring the named subject before the court as soon as possible.

Do Lamar County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Lamar County arrest warrants do not have an expiry date. Law enforcement officers are authorized to pursue and apprehend any named suspect described in an active or outstanding arrest warrant, regardless of how much time passes. However, the judge may quash or recall a warrant for certain reasons. This may be that the offender has satisfied the conditions set therein, or a counter-evidence exonerates the accused person from being named a possible suspect in the case.