Rankin County Arrest Records

Per Mississippi Code § 99-3-1, arrests in Rankin County are typically initiated by law enforcement officers, including sheriffs, deputies, police officers, and marshals. These authorities are authorized to apprehend individuals suspected of committing crimes or offenses at any time or place if they are justified by law. While most arrests are made within the county's boundaries, authorities may also apprehend individuals outside of the county if they have probable cause and are pursuing a suspect who has committed a crime within Rankin County.

Arrest records in Rankin County are generated and maintained by the Rankin County Sheriff's Office when a person is arrested and taken into custody for being suspected of or committing a crime. These records contain detailed information about individuals arrested within the county, including the names and physical characteristics of the detained person, the arrest time and date, and any property involved.

Rankin County Arrest records are usually part of other public records, such as Rankin County court records and criminal history records. For example, if an individual is arrested and charged with a crime, their arrest record will be found in the corresponding court case records. Additionally, arrest records can be used to generate criminal history reports, which provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's criminal activity.

Are Arrest Records Public in Rankin County?

Yes. Arrest records are generally regarded as public documents under Mississippi law, as specified by the Mississippi Public Records Act. Specifically, Mississippi Code § 25-61-12(2)(c) states that law enforcement incident reports, which include arrest records, shall be public records. A law enforcement agency may release information in addition to the information contained in the incident report. Individuals are, therefore, entitled to see, copy, and recreate these records.

Although the public can see most arrest records, certain categories of information might not be disclosed. This comprises:

• Investigative reports: Documents containing private information about current investigations, like witness identities, confidential informants, or methods used in the inquiry;
• Documents that could jeopardize a fair trial: Details that can jeopardize a defendant's right to a fair trial;
• Information that might put the safety of individuals in jeopardy: Information that could place law enforcement officers, personnel, witnesses, or victims at risk;
• Certain types of personal information: The home addresses and phone numbers of law enforcement officers, judges, and district attorneys, as well as their families.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Rankin County, public arrest records usually contain the following details:

• Information about the Arrestee: This section includes the name, age, birthdate, and address of the person taken into custody.
• Information on the Arrest: This section includes information regarding the actual arrest, such as the time, date, and place of the arrest, along with a synopsis of the incident.
• Property Involved: This section will include a list of any property that was a part of the incident.
• Officer Information: The name, agency, and badge number of the arresting officer are listed in this section, along with the time and date the report was made.

Rankin County Crime Rate

According to the Mississippi Crime Statistics portal made available by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MS DPS), 2,445 crimes were reported in Rankin County in 2023. Violent crimes accounted for 1.8% (44), while property crimes and society crimes accounted for 25.5% (624) and 56.3% (1,376) of all reported crimes, respectively.

Within the category of violent crimes, the most common offenses are aggravated assault, non-consensual sex offenses, and robbery. Of all violent crimes, aggravated assault accounted for 59.1% (26), with non-consensual sex offenses coming in second at 31.8% (14) and robbery at 6.8% (3).

However, the top three property crimes were larceny-theft, fraud, and embezzlement. Of all property crimes, 51.9% (324) were classified as larceny-theft, with fraud coming in second at 22.3% (139) and motor vehicle theft at 7.3% (46).

Rankin County Arrest Statistics

The Mississippi Crime Statistics portal provided by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MS DPS) also published arrest data revealing that Rankin County witnessed 1,173 arrests in 2023. Of these, 2.2% (26) were for violent crimes, while 97.7% (1,147) were for crimes against society.

Within violent crime arrests, aggravated assaults were the largest category at 77.0% (20), followed by non-consensual sex offenses at 23.0% (6). Within society crime arrests, drug offenses represented 97.1% (1,336), weapon offenses accounted for 2.6% (36), and the remaining 0.3% (4) attributed to other society crimes.

Find Rankin County Arrest Records

While Rankin County may have its specific procedures for accessing arrest records, individuals can also utilize state and federal resources to search for this information. There are two primary options:

• Mississippi Electronic Courts System (MEC): The MEC is a statewide system that provides access to court records, which may include arrest information. Individuals must pay a $10 annual registration fee to use the MEC. Once registered, users can search for records by entering the defendant's name and other relevant criteria. Viewing the records costs 20 cents per page.
• Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MS DPS): The MS DPS offers an online system for requesting background checks that can be used to review Rankin County arrest records. To request a background check, individuals must pay a fee of $32. The process may take up to 30 business days to complete. However, only the subject of the record can use this system to request their own background check.

Free Arrest Record Search in Rankin County

Arrest records for Rankin County may be available on certain websites run by third parties. These websites frequently require users to submit the name and location of a subject. However, many websites only offer a restricted amount of information in response to a query and demand payment to access all public documents pertaining to the search topic. A searcher may occasionally need to subscribe or pay before continuing.

Get Rankin County Criminal Records

Rankin County criminal court records are documents generated during the criminal court's judicial processes. Interested persons may access these records through the Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center.

Rankin County Circuit Court Clerk's Office

Rankin County criminal court records are publicly accessible through the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The Clerk's Office maintains a complete archive of all criminal court case documents generated by the county's courts. To access these records, interested persons are to visit the Rankin County Clerk of the Circuit Court at:

Justice Center Brandon
215 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
(601) 825-1466

The Clerk's Office is open for in-person requests from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, except on public holidays.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center

To obtain Rankin County criminal records, individuals should apply through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Criminal Information Center, which serves as the primary repository for all state criminal records. This process requires completing a Release Background Authorization Form and enclosing a $32 money order and a photocopy of either a State Identification Card or a Driver's License. The completed documents should be mailed to:

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

Moreover, individuals can request a copy of the criminal record for a third party by providing their name and mailing address in the designated sections of the form. The form should be signed in the presence of a notary public.

Rankin County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While both arrest records and criminal records are related to criminal proceedings, they serve different purposes and contain distinct information.

Arrest Records serve as proof of the police's initial detention of the person. They usually contain information on the arresting officer, the date, time, and place of the arrest, and a synopsis of the incident. However, arrest records do not always point to a conviction.

On the other hand, criminal records offer a more thorough summary of a person's past legal encounters. They contain details regarding charges, convictions, trials, arrests, and punishments.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Rankin County, arrest records generally remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless expunged. This means that even if the charges were dropped or the individual was acquitted, the arrest may still appear in criminal background checks.

Expunge Rankin County Arrest Records

In Rankin County, expunging an arrest record entails taking it off the public record. In Mississippi, an expunged arrest record is not physically destroyed; rather, it is taken down from public view and kept in a private repository only available to law enforcement. After expungement, the record holder may claim that they were never detained or found guilty of the relevant offense. To have an arrest record erased, the person must fulfill the state's eligibility requirements, which are as follows:

• A defendant accused of being a minor in possession of alcohol may request that the judge revoke any convictions that led to their dismissal or discharge. Following the dismissal, discharge, completion of any sentence, and payment of any fines, there is a one-year waiting period.
• After serving their whole sentence and waiting five years, a first-time DUI offender may be eligible for expungement. If the defendant holds a commercial driver's license, declines to take a breathalyzer or blood test, tests positive for BAC of 16% or higher, or has outstanding DUI charges, their record cannot be expunged. There can be only one DUI expungement.
• Intervention court: If a person completes their term in an intervention court (such as a drug court), the judge may erase their conviction. However, violations of implied consent are not eligible.
• Documents pertaining to misdemeanor convictions for the first time.
• A criminal charge that was dismissed, the charges were dropped, no decision was made, or the defendant was found not guilty.

To apply for an expungement, inquirers must do the following:

• Check if all eligibility requirements have been met. In Mississippi, an arrest record can be expunged if the charges were remanded rather than adjudicated, dismissed, or settled through pretrial diversion.
• Get an expungement form from the court that issued the charge or sentence.
• Make an affidavit attesting to your good behavior and providing documentation of the resolution of any pending criminal convictions or civil judgments. Additionally, obtain two affidavits from community members who are not related.
• Submit the petition and any supporting documentation to the court clerk. Before the partition hearing, give a written notice to the district attorney regarding the expungement of felony records.
• Make the necessary fee payments.
• Make duplicates of everything for your documentation

Convictions in Mississippi have a lower likelihood of expungement than non-conviction records. In the course of a lifetime, a person may only have one felony conviction and the associated arrest records erased. According to Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, the following felonies are not eligible for expungement:

• Violent crimes
• Voyeurism
• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Drug trafficking
• First-degree arson
• Witness intimidation
• Third or subsequent DUI
• Failure to register as a sex offender
• Embezzlement
• Abusing, neglecting, or exploiting a vulnerable person

Rankin County Arrest Warrants

In Rankin County, Mississippi, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to apprehend an individual accused of a crime. It is a formal request for the individual's arrest and subsequent court appearances. Law enforcement officers authorized to execute arrest warrants in Mississippi can apprehend the individual named in the warrant. Once the arrest is made, the officer must return the warrant to the court, along with a report detailing the arrest circumstances.

An arrest warrant typically contains the following information:

• Defendant's Information: The full name of the defendant, or a description if the name is unknown.
• Location: The defendant's known location.
• Charge: The specific crime that the defendant is accused of.
• Arrest Instructions: The warrant commands that the defendant be arrested and brought before a judge.

Per Miss. Rules Crim. P. 3.1, an arrest warrant is typically issued under the following circumstances:

• A judge determines that there is probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a crime. This determination is often based on evidence presented in a charging affidavit.
• An individual has been summoned to court but fails to appear.
• There is reason to believe that the individual may flee the jurisdiction.

Rankin County Arrest Warrant Search

Interested persons can conduct an active warrant search with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Rankin County Sheriff's Office. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has a Most Wanted list where individuals can find warrant information about fugitives. It reveals the fugitive's name, race, sex, weight, height, eye and hair color, date of birth, age, charges, and last known address. Individuals may also visit the Rankin County Sheriff's Office to find an active warrant. Requesters will be required to provide a name and birth date to conduct the search.

Do Rankin County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Once issued, arrest warrants do not expire in Rankin County. However, even if the statute of limitations (window of time within which a criminal case needs to be filed) for the offense the warrant was issued for expires, law enforcement can still execute the warrant. However, the state may not be able to prosecute the offense.