Yazoo County Arrest Records

In Yazoo County, law enforcement officers possess the legal right to arrest people suspected of committing criminal offenses, following the Mississippi Code § 99. These offenses range from serious felonies and common misdemeanors to minor infractions, each bringing specific legal outcomes. Arrests occur when an individual is caught committing a crime, is suspected due to probable cause, or is the subject of a current arrest warrant. Following an arrest, individuals are usually held at the Yazoo County Jail, a Type II correctional facility in Yazoo City, and managed by the Yazoo County Sheriff's Office. This facility, capable of holding 120 individuals, accommodates male and female detainees awaiting trial or serving brief sentences.

The Yazoo County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Jeremy "Bull" McCoy, bears the main responsibility for creating and keeping arrest records. These records detail crucial aspects of an arrest and function as fundamental documents for legal processes. Apart from the Sheriff's Office, information regarding arrests usually integrates with other publicly accessible records, including those overseen by the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) or local judicial systems. To illustrate, details of an arrest might be found within Yazoo County Court Records, criminal background files managed by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS), or records kept by the county's Circuit Court.

Are Arrest Records Public in Yazoo County?

Yes. The Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 gives the public general access to arrest records in Yazoo County. This law promotes transparency by allowing individuals to request documents related to law enforcement operations, including arrests. As long as a request follows state regulations, the Yazoo County Sheriff's Office and other relevant agencies provide access to these records.

However, not all arrest information is publicly accessible. The law limits access to specific details to safeguard investigations, protect personal safety, and uphold judicial fairness. These restrictions often cover:

• Information that could disrupt an ongoing investigation or legal proceeding
• Personal information, such as addresses or phone numbers, that might endanger someone
• Confidential law enforcement techniques or procedures
• Records involving minors, particularly those under 14 or not charged with a violent felony
• Medical or psychological information related to the arrested individual
• Information that could jeopardize a fair trial

Furthermore, Mississippi Code § 25-1-109 prohibits authorities from disclosing the names of individuals arrested for misdemeanors unless formal charges are filed. Although these limitations restrict public access in some instances, authorized individuals, such as the arrested person, their attorney, or government officials, can still retrieve the necessary records for legal or official purposes.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Mississippi Code § 99.3.2(a) specifies the details included in Yazoo County's public arrest records, which remain available for public access. These details generally include:

• The arrested individual's full name and date of birth.
• A physical description, including gender, height, weight, eye and hair color, as well as identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
• The time, date, and location where the arrest took place
• Booking information, including when and where the person was processed
• A summary of the circumstances that led to the arrest
• The formal charges brought against the individual
• Any existing warrants or probation, or parole holds
• Information about the person's release, such as whether bail was posted or if they were released on their recognizance, or the name of the facility where they remain in custody

Yazoo County Arrest Statistics

At the time of this publication, Yazoo County does not report its arrest figures to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety or the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program, so researchers must obtain complete arrest data directly from the local agencies. Those seeking records should visit the Bentonia Police Department at 214 Railroad Ave, Bentonia, MS 39040; the Yazoo City Police Department at 305 Mike Espy Dr, Yazoo City, MS 39194; or the Yazoo County Sheriff's Office at 211 E Broadway St, Yazoo City, MS 39194 and request the information in person.

Find Yazoo County Arrest Records

State resources enable individuals to access Yazoo County arrest records through trusted, official platforms. These platforms provide access to court and criminal records, including arrest-related ones.

Mississippi Electronic Courts System (MEC)

The MEC offers access to court records across the state, including potential arrest details for Yazoo County. Users must pay a $10 yearly registration fee to use the system. Once registered, they can log in, search for records by entering the defendant's name and other identifying information, and view documents for 20 cents per page. This platform proves especially valuable for those researching criminal court cases tied to arrests.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety – Criminal Information Center

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains the state's central database of criminal records, including arrest records. The Criminal Information Center, managed by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, handles requests for background checks. To obtain an arrest record, a requester must fill out a Release Background Authorization Form, include a $32 money order, and attach a valid State ID or Driver's License copy. The completed request should be mailed to:

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

Free Arrest Record Search in Yazoo County

Several free resources exist for searching arrest records in Yazoo County, including the following:

Yazoo County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search

The Yazoo County Sheriff's Office offers a free online lookup tool that displays information on current inmates. Users can search the database by entering the inmate's name.

Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) Inmate Search

The MDOC maintains an online portal providing free access to records for individuals in state custody. Searches may be conducted using either the inmate's name or identification number.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Mississippi, arrest records remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless expunged. The state imposes no specific deadline for purging arrest records, and law enforcement agencies, including the Yazoo County Sheriff's Office, transmit these records to state and federal repositories like the MDPS, which retain them for extended periods. Expungement is the only reliable method to remove an arrest from public view.

Expunge Yazoo County Arrest Records

Mississippi law permits individuals to expunge arrest records in Yazoo County, a process that removes them from public view and conceals them from background checks. According to Mississippi Code § 99-19-71, eligibility for expungement includes:

• Arrests Without Conviction: Instances where an individual was arrested, but the case was dismissed, charges were dropped, no legal outcome occurred, or the person was found not guilty.
• Misdemeanor Convictions: First-time offenders convicted of a misdemeanor, excluding traffic violations, may petition for expungement.
• Certain Felony Convictions: Five years after completing all sentence terms, individuals with one conviction for specific felonies, such as embezzlement or certain computer fraud offenses, can seek expungement, though serious crimes like murder or rape are ineligible.

The expungement procedure entails the following steps:

• Submitting a Petition: The individual must file a formal request with the court where the arrest or conviction took place, including relevant supporting documentation like official court records.
• Informing the District Attorney: The individual must provide written notification to the district attorney at least 10 days before any scheduled court hearing.
• Paying Required Fees: A $150 filing fee is necessary, with $100 allocated to the Judicial System Operation Fund, $40 to the District Attorneys Operation Fund, and $10 retained by the circuit clerk (as per Mississippi Code § 99-19-72).
• Attending a Court Hearing: The individual must appear at a hearing where a judge evaluates their rehabilitation. If the judge approves the petition, they issue an expungement order, which removes the record from public databases and mandates the destruction of physical copies.

Legal representation is advisable to handle the specific requirements of this process, which typically spans several weeks. The Mississippi Center for Justice provides expungement clinics and resources to aid applicants.

Yazoo County Arrest Warrants

In Yazoo County, a judge or magistrate issues an arrest warrant to authorize law enforcement to take a suspect into custody. Under Mississippi Code § 99, a warrant is typically granted when an officer submits an affidavit establishing probable cause for a suspected offense. Certain situations, such as missing a court appearance, engaging in suspected criminal acts, or breaching parole, prompt the need for a warrant. A judge or magistrate evaluates the affidavit and, if convinced, authorizes the warrant. The warrant lists the suspect's name, the alleged crime, the issuance date, the issuing court, the bail amount (if relevant), and the judge's signature. Law enforcement officers carry out the warrant by apprehending the suspect, who is then processed and held until court proceedings occur.

Do Yazoo County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Yazoo County do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the suspect is arrested, surrenders voluntarily, or dies.