Law enforcement agencies in Rankin County report an average of 1,173 arrests, contributing to Mississippi's annual average of over 52,600. Arrest records in Mississippi are considered public records under the state's Mississippi Open Records Act, with copy fees ranging from $0.10 to $25. While Mississippi arrest records are generally regarded as open records, some are exempt from public access due to specific statutes or court orders. Such records include juvenile records, medical information, personnel files, and information regarding ongoing investigations. Access to these records is generally restricted to people involved in the case, the District Attorney's Office, Courthouses, and the police department.
Individuals seeking arrest records in Rankin County may obtain them through several local government agencies, including the Rankin County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and the Mississippi Police Department.
The Rankin County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and provides access to criminal records and background checks. Residents may inspect arrest records by submitting a Public Information Request through the Rankin County Sheriff's Office website. To obtain copies of these records, they may contact the Sheriff's Office at (601) 825-1480 or visit in person at:
Rankin County Sheriff's Department
Attn: Public Records Request Official
221 N. Timber St.
Brandon, MS 39042
Local police departments within Rankin County maintain records of arrests made within their jurisdictions. To access these records, individuals may contact the police department responsible for the arrest directly. Most departments accept Open Records Requests, which may require a fee to cover search, review, and duplication costs. The county is served by several notable police departments, including:
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI), operating under the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS), maintains statewide criminal records. Individuals seeking background checks or criminal history information may request these through the Criminal Information Center (CIC). The Criminal Information Center (CIC) conducts name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. To request one, individuals must submit a completed Authorization to Release Background Information form along with a valid ID and pay a fee of $32. Processing may take up to 30 days.
Alternatively, the MDPS provides an online platform for name-based background checks. Users must enter their details exactly as they appear on their Mississippi Driver's License or Identification Card. Unauthorized use to obtain someone else's background information is prohibited and may lead to criminal prosecution. For assistance, individuals may contact the Criminal Information Center at (601) 933-2600.
The Mississippi criminal court records are primarily managed by the Circuit Clerk's Office. The Circuit Clerk serves as the clerk for both the County and Circuit Courts, handling the filing of all lawsuits, indictments, motions, and related documents in both civil and criminal cases. Individuals may visit the Rankin County Circuit Clerk's Office to request access to criminal court records. The office is located at:
Rankin County Circuit Clerk's Office
215 E Government St
Brandon, MS 39042
Phone: (601) 825-1466
In addition, Rankin County provides an online portal for public record inquiries, which may include criminal court records. In addition, the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system offers electronic access to court records for participating counties, including Rankin County. Users must register for an account by paying an annual fee of $10. Once registered, viewing records incurs a charge of 20 cents per page.
Alternatively, individuals may access Rankin County arrest records through reputable third-party websites like InfoTracer. These platforms usually offer greater convenience and expanded search features for their users.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Rape | 6 |
| Aggravated Assault | 20 |
| Burglary | 735 |
| Drugs/Narcotics Offenses | 1,336 |
| Robbery | 376 |
| Weapon Law Violations | 36 |
| Forgery | 264 |
| Arson | 15 |
| Violent Crimes | 26 |
| Crime Against Society | 1,147 |
| Other Society Offenses | 4 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 33,763 |
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Police Department | 1455 W Government St | 601-825-7225 |
| Florence Police Department | 203 College St | 601-845-7508 |
| Flowood Police Department | 2101 Airport Rd Suite B | 601-932-5400 |
| Pearl Police Department | 2561 Old Brandon Rd | 601-939-7000 |
| Pelahatchie Police Department | 108 Brooks St | 601-854-5223 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Central Mississippi Correctional Facility | 3794 Hwy 468, Post Office Box 88550 | 601-932-2880 |
| Rankin County MS Jail | 221 North Timber Street | 601-825-1480 |
| Rankin County MS Juvenile Detention | 100 Court Cove | 601-824-2553 |