Lowndes County Arrest Records

Lowndes County arrest records provide information about arrests made within the county. They typically contain details, such as the location, time, and date of the arrest. Records may also include the arresting officer's name and the alleged crimes. Such records include arrests made by the local sheriff’s office, the regional police department, and federal agents such as the FBI and DEA.

Arrest records are part of criminal records that show an individual or cohort’s criminal involvement over time. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, arrest records are public records. Law enforcement agencies are mandated to maintain an updated record of legal apprehensions made within the county and make the records available for public access. Arrest information may also be contained within Lowndes County Court Records where the arrest is relevant to a judicial proceeding.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lowndes County?

Lowndes County arrest records are public records per the Mississippi Public Records Act. However, unlike criminal records, they do not serve as proof of convicted crimes. Arrest records only provide details of lawful apprehensions and the crimes alleged.

Lowndes County arrest records may be maintained by the local sheriff’s office, the courts, and the police departments. These records are accessible through the county’s court clerks at the courthouses. Residents and non-residents may also use the Mississippi Electronic Courts to access Lowndes County court records.

Note: The courts and sheriff’s office are generally open to the public during weekday work hours for physical requests. The public will generally require an ID verification to obtain arrest records, and all prescribed fees must be paid.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records will generally contain details of the suspect, the arresting officer, and the crimes alleged, excluding information subjected to any exemption laws. Public arrest records content must comply with the Mississippi Public Records Act provision and maintain the record subject’s privacy.

Some of the information that may also be found in a public arrest record includes:

• The suspect’s particulars, including physical description.
• The location, date, time, and particulars of the arresting officer.
• The court details after arraignment.
• The bond and bail conditions and details are available if eligible.
• The suspect's booking details, such as mugshot, booking number, and fingerprints.
• The alleged crimes and the specific law or statutes for the offense.

Lowndes County Crime Rate

The FBI UCR provides crime data for Lowndes County. Between 2013 and 2022, there were 131 violent crimes and 916 property crimes reported in Lowndes County, Mississippi. The most prevalent violent crime reported was aggravated assault, with 76 incidents, while robbery and rape followed with 25 and 22 incidents reported, respectively. The highest property crime reported was larceny-theft, with 535 incidents, followed by burglary and motor vehicle theft, with 281 and 90 reported incidents, respectively. The least reported violent crime in this period was homicide, with eight reported incidents, while the least reported property crime was arson, with ten reported incidents.

Lowndes County Arrest Statistics

Lowndes County arrest statistics are available through the FBI UCR website. Between 2013 and 2022, the county recorded 902 arrests for offenses except traffic offenses. The county has recorded 37 aggravated assault arrests, three arrests for rape, and three arrests for sex offenses. Property offense statistics show 27 arrests for motor vehicle theft, 38 for larceny theft, and 87 for burglary.

Find Lowndes County Arrest Records

Lowndes County arrest records are maintained by different government agencies, with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office being the primary custodian. Other agencies include the courts, where criminal court records are maintained, and the police department or other federal law enforcement agencies. These public agencies are accessible daily for physical record requests during work hours. The criminal court records usually include the arrest details such as the arresting officer or agency, suspect’s details, and alleged crimes. Court records can also be obtained through the Mississippi Electronic Courts, a judiciary website providing access to statewide records. The Mississippi Department of Corrections also has a Public Records Request platform for mailing inmate record requests.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lowndes County

Free arrest records may be available in Lowndes County, depending on the agency maintaining the record and the method of request for records. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety will charge about $32 for criminal records, subject to the abovementioned factors. The public can get free arrest records when they qualify for a fee waiver by the records custodian.

Another way to obtain free arrest records is to use a third-party website. Such platforms usually require no fees and ID verification to access their records. The public only needs an internet-capable device to access third-party platforms and obtain records.

Get Lowndes County Criminal Records

Lowndes County criminal records include arrest, criminal court, and incarceration records following a conviction and sentencing. These records are maintained by law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and the courts. Criminal records are public records under the Mississippi Public Records Act, except those details to be exempted or redacted to protect the record subject’s privacy. The sheriff’s office has exclusive jurisdiction over arrests within the county, while the courts find guilt before recommending incarceration or other forms of punishment.

Criminal records can be accessed in Lowndes County through the sheriff’s office and the police departments. The public can also approach the Circuit Courts on weekdays during work hours to make physical requests for criminal court records. These court records are also available via the state’s court records platform, Mississippi Electronic Courts. Records seekers can also approach correctional facilities to inspect their inmate records or use online platforms, such as Public Records Request, to mail in requests. These agencies make records available for a fee, which will depend on the type of record and method of request. Requesters will usually require an ID for identity verification and privacy protection.

Lowndes County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Criminal records refer to details of a person or group’s criminal activities, including crimes alleged and crimes convicted of, while arrest records refer to details of a person or group’s arrest or lawful capture and detention. While being similar, arrest records are only a subset of criminal records. Criminal records include arrest records, court records, and correctional facilities records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Lowndes County, arrest records can stay on your records indefinitely until you get it expunged or removed. Arrest records are not automatically removed from your records as they are influenced by different factors, such as the type of offense, the court’s verdict, and the steps taken to seal or expunge the record.

Mississippi laws allow for expungement of certain records where crimes include misdemeanor offenses, nonviolent felonies after the prescribed waiting period, and cases where the accused was acquitted or got the charges dismissed. The records may remain for dismissed charges until you petition to have them sealed or expunged. For cases not prosecuted, the expungement procedure can also apply. Juvenile records are more protected and often sealed for a certain period or till the record subject reaches adulthood.

Expunge Lowndes County Arrest Records

Mississippi law allows for expungement of records where certain eligibility requirements are met. Arrests can stay on your records indefinitely until legal steps are taken to seal them. Records expungement in Mississippi involves knowing your eligibility, filing a petition, and getting your court order. The first step is to determine if you are eligible to have your records expunged. Eligibility will depend on various factors, such as the court decision and the type of offense. Misdemeanor offenses can be expunged, while nonviolent felonies require certain conditions, such as having no arrests or convictions within a stipulated waiting period. Charges dismissed or acquittals are eligible for expungement, while first-time offenders may qualify.

The next step is to get your information and documents ready for court. These documents include your petition, which you will file to begin the official expungement process. After a favorable decision from the court is obtained, the court order for the record’s sealing or expungement is given, and a follow-up check is performed to ensure that the record has been sealed.

Lowndes County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal directives to a law enforcement officer to apprehend an individual or group. An arrest warrant is usually issued based on the report of a crime or reasonable apprehension of a person's guilt. A judge or magistrate signs the warrant to give it authority. Arrest warrants are active until the court recalls it or the law enforcement agencies execute the warrant. The arresting officer does not need the warrant to execute an arrest, but it suffices that the warrant is made available to the suspect as soon as practicable and that the arrest was made pursuant to probable cause.

Arrest warrants can be in two forms: bench warrants for suspects who do not appear in court and arrest warrants issued for arrests before arraignment. An arrest warrant will contain the following details:

• The location, time, and date of the arrest.
• The suspect’s particulars, including physical description.
• The arresting agency and arrest officer’s particulars.

Lowndes County Arrest Warrant Search

Arrest records are maintained across public agencies, including the courts and law enforcement agencies. During weekdays, these agencies are open to the public for physical record requests and searches. The public can approach the sheriff’s office to search for arrest warrants for active or outstanding warrants. The court records can be searched for arrest warrants issued by the court through the office of the court clerk. Residents of Lowndes County can approach the Circuit Court building to search the court records or use the Mississippi Electronic Courts to search court records remotely. Arrest warrant searches can be done using relevant parameters such as names, times, dates, and locations relevant to the records sought.

Do Lowndes County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Lowndes County arrest warrants do not expire until the issuing court recalls the warrant or it is executed. While the warrant remains active, the arresting officer can arrest whether he is in possession of the warrant at the time or not. There are also ways to perform a Mississippi arrest warrant search to see if there is an active or outstanding warrant.