Warrant records are public documents in Rankin County, Mississippi, pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to governmental records, including warrants, to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial system.
In accordance with state law, residents of Rankin County and other interested parties may access various types of warrant information, including arrest warrants, search warrants, and bench warrants. The Mississippi Public Records Act specifically designates these documents as public records unless they fall under specific exemptions related to ongoing investigations or matters of public safety as outlined in Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12.
Access to warrant records serves multiple public interests, including enabling individuals to verify their legal status, allowing the press to monitor law enforcement activities, and permitting researchers to analyze judicial processes. The Rankin County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains these records in compliance with state recordkeeping requirements.
Warrant records maintained by Rankin County authorities typically contain the following information as required by Mississippi law:
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 99-15-5, warrant records must contain sufficient particularity regarding the alleged offense to properly inform the subject of the nature of the charges. The level of detail may vary depending on the type of warrant and the nature of the underlying offense.
Members of the public may utilize several no-cost methods to verify the existence of warrants in Rankin County:
Rankin County Circuit Clerk's Office
101 South Court Street, Suite 130
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1467
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
The Circuit Clerk maintains public terminals where individuals may conduct searches of the court's database during regular business hours without charge.
Rankin County Sheriff's Office
221 North Timber Street
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1480
Hours: 24 hours daily
Official Website
The Sheriff's Office provides limited warrant information via telephone inquiry. Callers must provide specific identifying information, and certain warrants may be restricted from disclosure due to investigative concerns.
Additionally, the Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate search provides information about individuals who have been taken into custody on outstanding warrants.
The Rankin County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the county's jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Rankin County are categorized as follows:
Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a criminal offense. These warrants authorize deputies to take the named individual into custody.
Bench Warrants: Issued directly by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date or violates court orders. These warrants direct law enforcement to bring the person before the court.
Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specified premises for evidence related to criminal activity. These warrants must meet the requirements of the Fourth Amendment and Mississippi Code § 41-29-157.
The Sheriff's Warrant Division, operating under the authority of Miss. Code Ann. § 19-25-19, maintains a dedicated team of deputies who specialize in locating and apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants. The division prioritizes warrants based on severity of the alleged offense and public safety considerations.
As of 2025, Rankin County has implemented several methods for individuals to verify their warrant status:
Rankin County Justice Court
301 Marquette Road
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 824-2545
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
The Justice Court maintains records of misdemeanor warrants and can provide status information to individuals who appear in person with valid identification.
Rankin County Circuit Court
101 South Court Street
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1467
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
The Circuit Court handles felony cases and maintains records of associated warrants. Individuals may inquire about their status through the clerk's office.
Pursuant to Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 3.1, individuals with active warrants are entitled to information regarding the nature of the charges against them. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety also maintains records that may indicate the existence of warrants through their criminal history database.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Rankin County may be accomplished through several official channels:
Online Verification
The Rankin County Sheriff's Office maintains a limited online database of active warrants. This resource is updated regularly but may not include all outstanding warrants due to investigative considerations.
In-Person Inquiry
Individuals may visit the Rankin County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to request warrant information. Valid photo identification is required, and a nominal fee may apply for printed documentation.
Legal Representation
Licensed attorneys may submit formal requests for warrant information on behalf of clients. These requests must be submitted on official letterhead and include proper client authorization pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-3.
Mississippi Crime Information Center
3891 Highway 468 West
Pearl, MS 39208
Phone: (601) 933-2600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
The MCIC maintains a comprehensive database of warrants issued throughout Mississippi and can provide information regarding outstanding warrants in Rankin County.