For those who live and work in Mississippi, criminal records are in place for those individuals who commit crimes within the state. When a person is arrested by a local police agency or by another law enforcement agency, an arrest record is created. That record is then filed with the state police as a way of monitoring the individual's illegal actions for the rest of his or her life. However, most people have no records like this because they have never been arrested or otherwise convicted of a crime. Nevertheless, all individuals should check their record to ensure it is accurate if it is present.
 

Because there are restrictions on access to some Mississippi criminal records, individuals will need to understand the process of gathering this information. In general, the state keeps all documents and digital records in the central repository. The Criminal Information Center, or CIC, is responsible for maintaining this repository of information. This agency is a part of the Bureau of Investigation Division of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. This agency does not create the initial files, which is done at the local level, but it compiles and stores this data for the long term, adding to it on a daily basis as needed.
 

It is not always easy to access information from the Criminal Information Center, though. The best way to gather this information is through a fingerprint scan. Background checks done this way are considered the most accurate. Private individuals may or may not be able to gather information this way. It may be possible by visiting a local law enforcement agency or by requesting a fingerprinting kit from the agency. However, if possible, individuals can obtain copies of criminal records by contacting the following agency:
 

Mississippi Department of Public Safety

1900 East Woodrow Wilson Drive

Jackson, Mississippi 39216
 

For additional information, questions or for a fingerprinting kit, call the agency at 601 987-1212. Keep in mind that individuals can request a copy of his or her own file. However, if a third party wishes to obtain this information, that party must have the written consent of the individual. This is often necessary for a criminal records search required for employment. The individual must sign a waiver and have it witnessed that says he or she allows the third party to provide this information.
 

Mississippi criminal records do provide a range of details in them, but they do not contain sensitive data, such as financial information or medical information. More so, these records are not available to just anyone. A written consent is required in many cases. Criminal records in the state contain only information regarding the illegal actions committed within the state of Mississippi, not from other states. Federal investigations, arrests, charges or convictions are not a part of these state records either. Federal records are not available to the public or to individuals even upon request. For most other types of non-juvenile records, individuals can file a request with the agency listed above to get that information.

 

• Mississippi Crime Reports & Statistics

• Mississippi Sex Offender Registry Search