Warrants are public records in Harrison County, Mississippi, pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for transparency and accountability in governmental operations by mandating public access to certain official records. The Act specifically designates records created, maintained, or received by public bodies in the performance of their duties as accessible to the public, with limited statutory exceptions.
Judicial orders, including warrants, are categorized as public records as they are issued by courts and executed by law enforcement agencies. This classification aligns with the state's commitment to open government principles and enables citizens to remain informed about legal proceedings within their jurisdiction. The Mississippi Public Records Act serves as the statutory foundation for this access, ensuring that residents can monitor the actions of public officials and law enforcement entities.
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5, any person has the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records during regular business hours, subject to reasonable procedures established by the public body for accessing such records. This provision extends to warrant records maintained by Harrison County courts and law enforcement agencies.
Warrant records maintained by Harrison County authorities typically contain the following standardized information as required by Mississippi law:
These records are maintained in accordance with Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 3.1, which governs the issuance of arrest warrants and establishes the required content for such documents. The Harrison County Clerk's Office maintains these records in compliance with state recordkeeping requirements.
Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in Harrison County may utilize several no-cost methods established by county authorities. These publicly accessible resources include:
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, reasonable fees may be charged for document reproduction, but viewing of records is generally available without cost. Individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification when requesting warrant information in person.
The Harrison County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the county's jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are official documents issued under judicial authority that empower deputies to perform specific law enforcement functions, including:
These warrants are issued in compliance with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 3, § 23 of the Mississippi Constitution, which require probable cause determinations by neutral magistrates. The Harrison County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that processes and executes these judicial orders in accordance with Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure.
The Sheriff's Office is located at:
Harrison County Sheriff's Office
10451 Larkin Smith Drive
Gulfport, MS 39503
Phone: 228-896-0678
Harrison County Sheriff's Office
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Harrison County in 2025 may utilize several official channels established by county authorities. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety recommends the following verification methods:
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 99-3-28, certain procedural protections exist for law enforcement officers, teachers, and other specified professionals against whom warrants may be issued. These individuals are entitled to preliminary hearings before arrest warrants can be executed in cases arising from their official duties.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Harrison County is facilitated through multiple official channels established by county authorities. These verification methods include:
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide proper identification and may be required to complete standardized request forms in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5, which governs the procedures for accessing public records in Mississippi.