Pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.), warrants are considered public records in Forrest County, Mississippi. This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government documents, including judicial records such as warrants. The Act serves to promote transparency and accountability within the judicial system by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding legal proceedings.
Warrant records in Forrest County are maintained by multiple agencies within the county's criminal justice system, including the Forrest County Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk. These records document official judicial orders authorizing law enforcement to take specific actions against individuals suspected of legal violations. The maintenance of these records as public documents allows citizens to monitor law enforcement activities and judicial decisions within their community.
Members of the public seeking warrant information may access these records through established channels, subject to certain limitations prescribed by state law. While most warrant information is publicly accessible, certain records may be temporarily sealed by court order during active investigations or to protect the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings.
Warrant records maintained by Forrest County authorities typically contain the following information:
The comprehensiveness of warrant records ensures proper documentation of judicial authorization for law enforcement actions and provides a clear record of legal proceedings against individuals within the jurisdiction.
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Forrest County through several no-cost methods:
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide proper identification and specific information about the subject of the inquiry to facilitate accurate record searches.
The Forrest County Sheriff's Office maintains and executes warrants issued by judicial authorities within the county. These legal instruments authorize deputies to perform specific law enforcement actions, including:
The Sheriff's Warrants Division, operating under the authority of Miss. Code Ann. § 19-25-19, is responsible for processing, maintaining, and executing all warrants issued within the jurisdiction. This division maintains detailed records of all warrant activities, including issuance dates, service attempts, and final dispositions.
The Warrants Division is located within the Forrest County Sheriff's Office at 400 Forrest Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Deputies assigned to this division work in coordination with other law enforcement agencies to ensure the proper service of all outstanding warrants.
As of 2025, Forrest County has implemented enhanced systems for warrant verification. Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status may utilize the following methods:
In accordance with Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, responses to warrant inquiries must be provided within seven working days of receipt of the request. Individuals should note that while checking for warrants in one's own name is permitted, providing false identification information when making such inquiries may constitute a separate offense under state law.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Forrest County may be accomplished through several official channels:
Pursuant to Mississippi Public Records law, requestors seeking warrant information must provide sufficient identifying information to ensure accurate results. The Sheriff's Office maintains regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for in-person inquiries.