Mississippi Warrant Search 

Conducting a Mississippi warrant search may help provide details about active warrants in the state. The search may be accomplished using online resources provided by official and independent sources. For instance, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains an online Most Wanted publication. At the same time, a physical visit to a local sheriff's office, such as the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office or the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Visiting the courthouse may reveal pending warrants. 

Information obtained from a Mississippi warrant search may include a defendant's complete name, physical description (such as eye color or body tattoos), address, charges, and the issuing jurisdiction. A person may conduct a warrant search for personal reasons or as part of a background investigation.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety Headquarters,
1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue,
Jackson, MS 39216

Are Warrants Public Records in Mississippi

Yes. According to the Mississippi Public Records Act, warrants in Mississippi are generally considered open to the public. However, some records may be temporarily or permanently classified as restricted or confidential. For instance, sensitive information about the subjects of warrants and warrants sealed by the court are not among the records disclosed publicly in Mississippi as outlined in § 25-61-9 through § 25-61-12 of the Act.

A warrant in Mississippi is a written order released by a judge that allows police officers to take specific actions to administer justice. A warrant may be issued when an individual fails to appear for a court hearing or neglects to follow a court order (for example, the person fails to make court-ordered child support payments for three consecutive months). A warrant may also be issued when credible facts or evidence exist to believe a person is involved in a criminal act. 

Types of Warrants in Mississippi

Mississippi court judges issue different types of warrants, including arrest, search, bench, and no-knock warrants. A judge may issue an arrest warrant when probable cause exists to suspect an individual of a misdemeanor or felony crime. In comparison, Mississippi search warrants are writs issued by a judge that enable law enforcement agents to search individuals, places, or properties for criminal evidence. 

Mississippi bench warrants are typically issued when individuals fail to comply with a court summons, pay a court fine, or attend a court hearing. In contrast, no-knock warrants allow law enforcement agents to search a premises without seeking permission, particularly when pursuing a fleeing suspect. 

What is a Search Warrant in Mississippi?

A Mississippi search warrant is an order signed by a judge that permits peace officers to search for and seize a person or item. For a search warrant to be valid, it must comply with the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, the Mississippi Constitution, and Rule 4 of the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure. Under these regulations, a judge may issue a search warrant only upon probable cause. 

Obtaining a Mississippi Search Warrant 

Generally, when compelling evidence indicates the need to search a property, place, or person in Mississippi, a law enforcement officer may present an affidavit to a judge requesting a search warrant. The affidavit must establish a reasonable basis (probable cause) for issuing the warrant.

In Mississippi, search warrants may be issued to retrieve 

• Evidence of a crime
• Contraband and other criminally possessed items
• Items intended to be used to commit a crime
• A person to be arrested (or who is illegally restrained).

Additionally, according to the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 4.3, any search warrant issued in the state must be executed and returned within 10 days.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Search Warrant?

Obtaining a Mississippi may take a few hours to several days. The application timeline largely relies on the facts or evidence presented by the requesting law enforcement officer or any witnesses. 

Generally, to get a search warrant, the applicant typically must persuade the judge that a warrant is necessary to guarantee its issuance. For instance, if the evidence sufficiently demonstrates a reasonable probability that an item that may be legally seized is in the location to be searched or on the individual to be searched, the judge will issue the search warrant. 

What is an Arrest Warrant in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, an arrest warrant is a court directive for a law enforcement officer to apprehend an individual who has committed a crime. 

Per Criminal Rule 3.2, a Mississippi arrest warrant includes specific details, such as: 

• The defendant's full name. Where the name is unknown, the warrant will contain any known aliases or identifiable descriptions of the individual
• The defendant's known address
• The suspected offense
• An instruction that the subject of the warrant be brought before the issuing judge or any other judge with jurisdiction to hear the case

A judge may initially issue a summons to compel a defendant's appearance if the law permits it. However, if the defendant does not appear, the judge may issue an arrest warrant.

Individuals who find an arrest warrant in their name are usually advised to surrender. The subject may seek legal counsel from an attorney first. However, it is important to address the matter proactively, as the defendant risks an arrest anytime they have contact with law enforcement.

Arrest Warrant Lookup in Mississippi

When conducting an arrest warrant search in Mississippi, it is advisable to begin in the region where a court case is open. An individual may start by contacting or visiting a local sheriff's office or police department to find outstanding arrest warrants. Some police agencies also publish a list of active warrants on their official websites, while others feature a most-wanted list. For example, an interested person may search for active warrants in Adams County on the local sheriff's website. 

Another excellent location for an arrest warrant lookup in Mississippi is the courthouse. As judges typically issue warrants, individuals may request warrant information from the clerks of court offices.

Moreover, individuals may utilize privately owned warrant databases to find arrest warrants in Mississippi. However, while many sites provide a preliminary search for free, a user must often pay for a comprehensive report.

How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant in Mississippi

Typically, individuals are informed of a warrant when police officers serve it. However, a resident who suspects an active warrant in their name may take proactive steps to verify the warrant exists and ensure no surprises (like a sudden arrest). The process for checking the existence of a warrant is the same regardless of the warrant type. 

Generally, individuals may utilize the above methods to find warrants in Mississippi, including conducting online searches or visiting a local police agency or courthouse in person. However, one may need to provide their full name and ID at a police precinct. Also, it should be noted that an in-person inquiry may trigger an arrest. Therefore, it may be better to have a lawyer verify the warrant.

Furthermore, individuals interested in confirming a warrant may order their Mississippi criminal record. If a warrant does exist, it may be included in the record. A records request may be sent to the Department of Public Safety (MDPS) Criminal Information Center (CIC). 

Free Warrant Search in Mississippi

As is customary, the sheriff's offices and courts provide online access to warrant lists free of charge. Similarly, members of the public may request to review their criminal records, which may include warrant information, via mail or in person at no cost. Fees may apply for copies of records.

How Long Can Police Hold My Phone Without a Warrant in Mississippi?

The U.S. Fourth Amendment and Mississippi State laws prohibit law enforcement officers from searching citizens' phones unless they have a warrant. However, an exception is made when: 

• The situation is exigent and evidence might be destroyed or;
• The defendant consents to a warrantless cell phone search. 

While police may seize an individual's phone during an arrest, they are prohibited from searching the files on the phone until they have obtained a warrant allowing them to do so. Consequently, law enforcement may withhold a phone pending the issuance of a warrant. However, all necessary steps must be taken to obtain a warrant promptly. Unreasonable delay can result in the violation of an individual's rights under the Fourth Amendment.

It is important to note that temporary retention incidents resulting from an arrest differ from long-term retention, which involves an officer with a warrant surfing through the contents of a phone for specific information related to a crime. Mississippi cell phone warrants highlight specific time frames for the search, which can be between a few days and several weeks. However, cell phone retention execution beyond the stated timeframe is considered illegal.

How to Find Out If Someone Has A Warrant Online

When conducting online investigations to determine whether an individual has a warrant, there are two primary avenues to explore: third-party sites and government agencies.

Certain websites that offer warrant information are privately owned and operate independently from government agencies. Users may conduct their searches on these platforms. One advantage of utilizing a privately operated site is that each search covers the entire state, and the information is not limited to a particular jurisdiction. The accessibility of such services ranges from free to fee-based, depending on the specific site and the search depth.

How Long Do Warrants Last in Mississippi

Indefinitely. Most warrants in Mississippi remain active until resolved. However, a Mississippi criminal search warrant has a 10-day validity period within which peace officers must execute the warrant, or it becomes void. Nonetheless, a court may re-issue a search warrant if probable cause exists.