Perry County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Perry County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Perry County may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and aggregator platforms such as PerryRecords.org. Criminal records maintained by Perry County agencies may include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, conviction histories, sentencing data, and active warrant information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the offense, and whether the record has been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted under applicable law.
Records accessible through official channels may encompass:
- Arrest and booking records maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Court case filings, dispositions, and sentencing records held by the Circuit Court
- Statewide criminal history reports compiled by the state criminal history repository
- Sex offender registration data published by state law enforcement agencies
- Active and recalled warrant information
Members of the public may search criminal records through the following methods:
1. County Court Records
The Perry County Circuit Court serves as the primary custodian of criminal case filings, dispositions, and sentencing records within the county. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Perry County Circuit Court Clerk
P.O. Box 488, 321 Main Street
New Augusta, MS 39462
Phone: (601) 964-8398
Perry County Circuit Court
2. Sheriff's Office
The Perry County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Members of the public may submit records requests in person or in writing. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with state law.
Perry County Sheriff's Office
100 Main Street
New Augusta, MS 39462
Phone: (601) 964-8444
Perry County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system and the Mississippi judiciary's case search portal allow members of the public to search circuit and county court records by party name, case number, or filing date. Users should note that not all historical records are available electronically, and some case details may be restricted from public online access.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center, maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certified reports, fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
P.O. Box 958
Jackson, MS 39205
Phone: (601) 987-1212
Mississippi DPS Criminal Information Center
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Perry County Circuit Court Clerk at the address listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under § 25-61-5 of the Mississippi Public Records Act, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable timeframe.
What Is Perry County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, convictions, and sentencing outcomes. Under Mississippi law, criminal records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the lifecycle of a criminal case.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses with shorter potential sentences.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under state law. Juvenile records are confidential and are sealed by operation of law pursuant to § 43-21-261 of the Mississippi Code.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest. Historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Perry County include:
- The Perry County Sheriff's Office (arrest records, jail records, booking data)
- The Perry County Circuit Court (case filings, dispositions, sentencing orders)
- The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center (statewide criminal history)
- Local municipal police departments within the county
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appellate proceedings. A complete criminal record may reflect charges filed, arraignment dates, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentences imposed, fines, restitution orders, probation or parole conditions, and any modifications to those conditions.
Are Criminal Records Public In Perry County
Criminal records in Perry County are subject to public disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1 et seq., which establishes a presumption of openness for records held by public bodies. Adult conviction records, court case filings, and sentencing data maintained by the Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office are accessible to members of the public upon request.
As stated in the Mississippi Public Records Act, "all public records are hereby declared to be public property, and any person shall have the right to inspect, copy, or mechanically reproduce or obtain a reproduction of any public record." This provision applies broadly to criminal justice records held by county agencies.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure, including:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed pursuant to § 43-21-261
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Expunged records, which are removed from public access by court order
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain sensitive cases
- Records sealed by judicial order
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Mississippi's public records law. The Mississippi Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of the Public Records Act to specific record categories.
How To Find Criminal Records in Perry County Online
Official County Resources
The Perry County Circuit Court Clerk's office participates in the Mississippi Electronic Courts system. Members of the public may search available case records through the Mississippi courts case search portal, which provides access to circuit and county court filings by party name or case number. The Perry County Sheriff's Office publishes current inmate roster information on its official website.
State-Level Resources
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety operates the statewide criminal history background check system, accessible to authorized requestors. The Mississippi judiciary's statewide portal aggregates court records from participating counties and courts.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as records may be distributed across court, sheriff, and state systems
- Note that records predating electronic filing systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing search tools
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing are not uniformly digitized. Online searches do not substitute for certified official background checks required for employment, licensing, or other formal purposes.
Can You Search Perry County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Under § 25-61-5 of the Mississippi Public Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Copying fees may apply for reproductions. In-person inspection is available at the Perry County Circuit Court Clerk's office and the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases: The Mississippi courts case search portal provides free name-based and case number searches for circuit and county court records. The Sheriff's Office publishes a free online inmate roster.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports are available for public inspection at the Perry County Sheriff's Office at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$2.00 per page (varies) |
| Official state criminal history report | $25.00 (Mississippi DPS) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $50.00+ (varies by vendor) |
Fee schedules are established by state statute and individual agency policy. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Perry County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentence imposed (including type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
Records may also reflect active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI adjudications, traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court, and pending charges.
NOT Included
- Juvenile records (sealed by law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Criminal records from other states or jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records
- Records from successfully completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the originating agency or the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and other background check purposes.
How Long Does Perry County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Mississippi public records retention schedules, administered by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, govern the minimum retention periods for criminal justice records held by county agencies. State law mandates that agencies adhere to approved retention schedules.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the Circuit Court and the state criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained for a minimum period as specified in the applicable retention schedule; many are retained permanently
- Arrest records (no conviction): Retained for a defined period; subject to expungement under Mississippi law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained with disposition noted; subject to expungement eligibility under § 99-19-71 of the Mississippi Code
- Juvenile records: Sealed at the conclusion of juvenile proceedings; destruction timelines governed by § 43-21-261
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with state retention rules. The Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records for periods specified in the county retention schedule. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety retains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under § 99-19-71 for eligible offenses, results in the removal of the record from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases. Expungement eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the passage of a required waiting period.
Old Records Access
Records predating electronic filing systems may require special requests to the Circuit Court Clerk or the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Some historical records are held in state archival collections.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county systems. Different access rules and retention schedules apply.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions may appear on background checks indefinitely unless expunged. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions within a seven-to-ten year window, though this limitation does not apply to all positions. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. As a practical matter, even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.