Mississippi Warrants: Types, Searches, and What to Expect

A warrant is a judicial order that authorizes law enforcement to take specific actions. Warrants serve as an important safeguard, ensuring that law enforcement actions are appropriate and justified by the law.

What Is a Warrant in Mississippi?

According to the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, a warrant is a court-issued order that authorizes law enforcement to take action. These actions may include the arrest of an individual accused of a crime or the search and seizure of property linked to an investigation. A warrant may also force the appearance of an individual who has failed to comply with a prior court order.

Warrants are issued by judges or magistrates in Mississippi’s Municipal Courts, Justice Courts, County Courts, and Circuit Courts, depending on the type of case.

Types of Warrants in Mississippi

Mississippi courts may issue several types of warrants, such as:

1. Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a judicial order that authorizes a law enforcement officer to make an arrest. The judge or magistrate will issue such warrants once probable cause has been established by the law enforcement agents. The warrant usually includes the individual’s name, the charges levied against them, and the issuing jurisdiction.

2. Bench Warrants

A bench warrant is issued when an individual fails to show up for court hearings, disobeys a court order, or violates their probation terms. The police may arrest such an individual and return them to court for further action.

3. Search Warrants

A search warrant gives a police officer the authority to enter property and search for evidence. The officer may take an inventory of any items in the property. Mississippi law requires that the warrant specify the premises and items to be searched.

4. Civil Warrants

A civil warrant is an order issued in non-criminal disputes, including evictions, debt collection, and small claims matters. They summon individuals to court in civil matters, which may result in judgments, liens, or wage garnishments.

5. Fugitive or Out-of-State Warrants

When a suspect wanted in another state is found in Mississippi, a fugitive warrant authorizes the detention of the individual until extradition proceedings are completed. The state may also issue warrants requesting the return of individuals facing charges.

How to Search for Warrants in Mississippi

Residents in Mississippi may search for warrant information through several resources, including:

1. Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) – The Mississippi Judicial Branch offers online access to court records through its MEC system, which is available on a paid subscription basis. These case records may reflect a warrant status or additional warrant information.
2. County Sheriff’s Offices – The sheriff’s office maintains warrant records that are accessible to the public. Counties, such as Hinds, Harrison, and DeSoto, have warrant divisions that allow individuals to inquire about warrant information.
3. Clerk of Court Offices – Individuals may search for warrant information at the offices in the Circuit, County, Municipal, and Justice Courts.
4. Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) – The DPS maintains criminal history records, which may include warrant information, and makes them available to the public.
5. Third-Party Search Tools – Some online background check platforms list Mississippi warrant information; however, verification should always be obtained from official law enforcement or court services.

Warrant Records in Major Mississippi Counties and Cities

Record seekers may find information such as an individual’s name, case number, charges, warrant type, issuing court, and bail or bond details on a warrant record. They may access some warrant records in the major Mississippi counties and cities below:

• Jackson (Hinds County) – The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office manages warrant records, while the Circuit Court Clerk provides case access that may also contain warrant information.
• Gulfport and Biloxi (Harrison County) – Warrant information is available to the public at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Circuit Court, and Justice Court.
• Southaven (DeSoto County) – The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office handles active warrants, and the Circuit and Justice Courts provide related case records to the public.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued in Mississippi?

When the court issues a warrant, the outcome depends on the type of warrant:

• Arrest Warrants – Police may stop and question an individual in a public place at any time. They may arrest, charge, book, and arraign the individual before a judge.
• Bench Warrants – Failure to appear in court or disobedience to court orders may result in an immediate arrest of an individual, with additional penalties.
• Search Warrants – Officers must execute the search warrant within 10 days, seizing only the property listed in the warrant.
• Civil Warrants – Individuals are summoned to court, and failure to appear in court may lead to default judgments, liens, or garnishments.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, most warrants remain active until they are resolved by the individual or the court that issued the warrant:

• Arrest and bench warrants do not expire. They are active on the police radar until the individual is arrested or the court recalls them.
• Search warrants expire within 10 days of issuance and must be reissued if not executed within this timeframe.
• Civil warrants remain valid until the matter is resolved or the case is dismissed.

Resolving a warrant in Mississippi may involve an individual voluntarily appearing in court. The individual may also hire an attorney, pay the necessary fines, or satisfy all court obligations.

Warrants are a part of Mississippi’s justice system that ensures that arrests, searches, and court appearances are done under proper judicial authority. They may take the form of arrest warrants, bench warrants, or civil warrants.

Mississippi residents may search for warrants through their county sheriff’s offices, clerks of court, the MEC system, and municipal courts. Warrants in Mississippi do not expire, and anyone with an active warrant must consult an attorney or the issuing court to address it.Failure to resolve a warrant may result in arrest during traffic stops, background checks, or additional penalties.