Warrant Search
Mississippi Warrant Search Online >Smith County Warrant Search Online

Smith County, Mississippi Warrant Records

Are Warrants Public Record in Smith County, Mississippi?

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:

  • Promoting transparency in judicial proceedings
  • Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
  • Providing citizens with information regarding potential legal actions
  • Supporting the constitutional principle of open courts

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.

What Is Contained in Warrant Records in Smith County?

Warrant records maintained by Smith County authorities typically contain specific information as required by Mississippi law. Standard elements included in these official documents are:

  • Full legal name and known aliases of the subject
  • Date of birth and/or approximate age of the subject
  • Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
  • Last known address or location information
  • Case number and issuing court identification
  • Date of issuance and, if applicable, expiration date
  • Nature of the alleged offense, including statutory citation
  • Bond amount, if applicable
  • Name and title of the issuing judicial officer
  • Specific instructions to law enforcement regarding execution

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.

How to Check For Warrants in Smith County For Free

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:

  • In-person requests may be submitted at the Smith County Circuit Clerk's Office located at 146 E. Main Street, Raleigh, MS 39153. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • The Smith County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains public access terminals for searching court records during regular business hours.
  • Written requests may be submitted to the Smith County Sheriff's Office at PO Box 307, Raleigh, MS 39153.
  • Telephone inquiries may be directed to the Sheriff's Office at (601) 782-4531, though limited information may be provided through this method.

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.

Smith County Sheriff Warrants

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:

  • Arrest warrants issued upon probable cause for criminal offenses
  • Bench warrants issued for failure to appear in court
  • Civil warrants related to property seizures or civil judgments
  • Search warrants authorizing examination of specified locations

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:

  • Active warrants awaiting execution
  • Executed warrants with disposition information
  • Recalled or quashed warrants no longer in effect

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

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Smith County in 2025

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:

  • Contact the Smith County Circuit Clerk's Office directly at (601) 782-4751 to inquire about court records. The office is located at 146 E. Main Street, Raleigh, MS 39153.
  • Submit a formal records request to the Smith County Sheriff's Office, providing proper identification to ensure accurate results.
  • Consult with a licensed Mississippi attorney who can access court records through official channels.
  • Check the Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate database for information related to outstanding warrants connected to state offenses.

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.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Smith County

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:

  • Submitting a records request to the Smith County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) at 146 E. Main Street, Raleigh, MS 39153.
  • Contacting the Smith County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (601) 782-4531 to inquire about active warrants.
  • Requesting a criminal background check through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center, located at 1900 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216.
  • Consulting court dockets for cases involving failure to appear, which often result in bench warrant issuance.

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.

Search Warrant Records in Smith County

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