Warrant records are public documents in Smith County, Mississippi, pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the right of Mississippi residents to access governmental records, including those pertaining to arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants issued within the county jurisdiction.
The Smith County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to preserve court documents. Public access to warrant information serves multiple governmental purposes, including:
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by judicial order, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile matters, or situations where public disclosure might compromise public safety. Such restrictions are governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-11, which outlines specific exemptions to public disclosure requirements.
Warrant records maintained by Smith County authorities typically contain specific information as required by Mississippi law. Standard elements included in these official documents are:
These records are maintained in accordance with Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 3.1, which governs the issuance and execution of arrest warrants throughout the state.
Members of the public may conduct free warrant searches in Smith County through several official channels. The following methods are available pursuant to Mississippi's public records provisions:
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information including full name, date of birth, and other relevant details to ensure accurate search results. Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, reasonable fees may be assessed for copies of records, though viewing public records is generally available without charge.
The Smith County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff Joel Houston's office maintains a comprehensive warrant database as mandated by Miss. Code Ann. § 19-25-35, which requires sheriffs to "keep a jail docket noting the details of each warrant or mittimus of any person placed in the county jail."
The Sheriff's Office processes several categories of warrants:
Law enforcement officials execute these warrants according to procedures established in Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, which governs arrest procedures and limitations. The Sheriff's Office maintains records of warrant status, including:
Individuals seeking information about specific warrants may contact the Smith County Sheriff's Office at:
Smith County Sheriff's Office
PO Box 307
Raleigh, MS 39153
(601) 782-4531
Smith County Sheriff's Department
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Smith County have multiple verification methods available. The Mississippi Judiciary has implemented updated procedures for 2025 that facilitate public access to this information.
Persons concerned about potential warrants may:
Mississippi law (Miss. Code Ann. § 99-3-28) provides specific procedures for certain professionals, including teachers and law enforcement officers, who may receive notification prior to warrant execution in cases involving actions taken in their official capacity.
Individuals should be aware that attempting to evade a lawfully issued warrant constitutes a separate offense under Mississippi law and may result in additional charges.
Outstanding warrants in Smith County may be verified through established governmental channels. The verification process adheres to protocols established under Mississippi's public records statutes and court administrative procedures.
Authorized methods for checking outstanding warrant status include:
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5, agencies may require written requests for certain records and may establish reasonable timeframes for response. Identification verification is typically required when requesting warrant information to ensure accuracy and protect privacy interests.
Individuals seeking warrant information in Smith County may utilize the following resources:
Mississippi Department of Human Services
200 South Lamar Street
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 359-4500
Division of Child Support Enforcement