LeFlore County Arrest Records

An arrest is a legal action taken against a person suspected of committing a crime, and an arrest record is the official document that notes the arrest incident. In Leflore County, arresting bodies, like the Sheriff's office, generate arrest records after a suspect has been booked for an offense. These records are helpful in tracking offender activity and initiating criminal proceedings, but they do not confirm a person's guilt. One can review the Leflore County court records to determine if an arrestee was later sentenced for an offense.

Are Arrest Records Public in LeFlore County

Yes. Arrest records in LeFlore County are treated as public records under the Mississippi Public Records Act (MPRA). However, certain records are not disclosed to the general public, including the following:

• Information about an active or ongoing investigation
• Juvenile records
• Records that disclose investigative techniques
• Records whose disclosure would deprive a person of a fair trial
• Information that has the potential to endanger the lives of law enforcement personnel
• The identity of anyone arrested for misdemeanors unless such a person is formally charged and arrested for the offense
• Medical records of the accused

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In LeFlore County, public arrest records contain the following information:

• The full name, age, and last known address of the arrested person
• Circumstances of the arrest, including whether weapons were used or the suspect was captured after a pursuit
• Arrest time and date
• Arresting department
• Arresting officer's name or badge number

LeFlore County Arrest Statistics

In 2024, LeFlore County recorded 250 arrests, according to Mississippi Department of Public Safety's published crime statistics. Of the reported number, 51 were for society crimes and 199 for Group B Offenses. The Group B offense with the highest frequency of arrests that year was driving under the influence, with 192 arrests (around 77% of the county's 2024 arrest total). No figures were documented in the person and property crime categories.

LeFlore County Arrest Records

The municipal police departments and sheriff's office in LeFlore County are primarily responsible for maintaining arrest records within the county. As such, persons looking into local arrest records can stop by or contact the agency that made the arrest. The requester may be asked for the arrestee's name, birth date, or alias to find matching records, but such inquiries are typically free unless the requester requires a copy.

Additionally, LeFlore County arrest records may be found within statewide criminal history files maintained by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Criminal Information Center (CIC). However, only subjects of records may access such files.

Free Arrest Record Search in LeFlore County

An individual may access an arrest record for free in LeFlore County through a local police agency, so long as they do not wish to copy or reproduce a record. For instance, crime victims can obtain an arrest report for free from the arresting law enforcement agency, but they are required to pay to receive a copy.

Moreover, several third-party aggregator websites process free arrest record searches with a person's first and last name, regardless of the county where an arrest occurred. Some sites provide limited search results at no cost, but many require payment to produce a comprehensive report.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Generally, an arrest stays permanently on a person's public record until expunged. Such a record may be accessible to anyone with an interest within the limits of the law. An expungement is a form of relief given to past defendants or offenders in Mississippi to help them begin a new chapter of their lives without the possible adverse effects of an arrest or criminal record. However, while an expungement removes (seals) records from public view, not everyone is qualified under Mississippi law to receive it.

Expunge LeFlore County Arrest Records

"Expungement" describes a legal process undertaken to remove an arrest record from public access. An arrest record is said to be expunged if it is accompanied by a court order of expunction/expungement, containing the defendant's name at the time of the arrest; the defendant's birthdate, race, gender, and Social Security number; the arrest date and charge of arrest, and the statutory authority for the expungement.

For a LeFlore County arrest to be expunged from an individual’s record, it must meet the statutory requirements for expungement in Mississippi. These eligibility criteria are outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, which includes an arrest that did not lead to a conviction or when an individual was charged with a crime, but the case was not prosecuted within 12 months of the arrest.

The expungement process requires the petitioner (defendant) to file a petition in the presiding court (where the case was filed) and other required or supporting documentation, such as a testimony of good behavior with proof of completing any imposed convictions or sentences. The petitioner is also expected to pay the court filing fees and send a written notice to the district attorney.

Subsequently, the court may schedule a hearing to decide the matter and will issue an expungement order if it is in the interests of justice. The order should then be forwarded to the Mississippi Criminal Information Center and any other agency that maintains the record to effect an expungement. As mentioned earlier, an expungement does not physically erase or destroy records in Mississippi. A non-public record will remain for criminal justice or other legal purposes.

LeFlore County Arrest Warrant Search

An arrest warrant in LeFlore is a document signed by an authorized judicial official (often a judge) permitting the arrest of a named person. Rule 3.2 of the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure requires each arrest warrant to be in writing and bear the following information:

• A command for the defendant to be brought before the issuing judge, or if unavailable, the nearest available judge
• The accused individual's name or, if the name is unknown, a description with which they may be identified with reasonable certainty
• The defendant’s location (if known)
• The offense the accused is said to have committed

In LeFlore County, arrest warrants are issued upon the finding of probable cause (reasonable grounds for an arrest) in a court of law. Unless a court determines probable cause based on a law enforcement complaint or affidavit, such writs cannot be issued, and if erroneously issued, are deemed legally invalid.

Do LeFlore County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Arrest warrants issued in LeFlore County, Mississippi, generally do not expire. According to Mississippi law, a warrant remains active until the named individual is arrested or the court recalls the order. This principle applies in both felony and misdemeanor cases.