Scott County Public Records / Scott County Arrest Records

Scott County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Scott County in 2026

ScottCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Scott County, Mississippi. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, mugshots, and related court case data through this resource. Available record categories include arrest logs, jail rosters, criminal court filings, bond information, and inmate status records. Information presented reflects what has been made available through official sources and may not reflect the most current status of a case.

Records may be searched through official government resources, the county clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by state and local agencies.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Scott County Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction over law enforcement throughout the county and serves as the primary custodian of local arrest and booking records. The Scott County Sheriff's Office provides information about current inmates, recent bookings, and the jail roster. Available data includes the arrestee's name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and custody status. The jail roster is updated on a regular basis as new bookings are processed and releases occur.

2. Local Police Departments

The Forest Police Department serves the county seat of Forest, Mississippi, and maintains its own arrest logs and incident records. Press releases containing arrest information are periodically published through the department's public communications channels. Members of the public seeking arrest information specific to the City of Forest may contact the Forest Police Department directly.

Forest Police Department
109 E. First Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1411
City of Forest, Mississippi

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Scott County Circuit Clerk maintains criminal court case records that are linked to underlying arrests. Members of the public may search case records by the defendant's name to identify court proceedings associated with a specific arrest. The Mississippi eCourts case search portal provides online access to appellate-level case information, while circuit court records are accessible through the clerk's office directly.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains statewide criminal history records through the Mississippi Criminal Information Center (MCIC). Individuals seeking a certified criminal history record may submit a request to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. A fee applies for certified background checks. The Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate search allows the public to locate individuals currently in state custody by name or MDOC identification number.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:
Scott County Sheriff's Office
100 East First Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1411
Scott County Sheriff

Members of the public visiting the records division in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject, the approximate date of arrest, and any known booking number. Standard copy fees apply per page for printed records.

Clerk of Court:
Scott County Circuit Clerk
100 East First Street, Suite 1
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1922
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Criminal case files are available for inspection during regular business hours. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with Mississippi law.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be directed to the Scott County Sheriff's Office at 100 East First Street, Forest, MS 39074. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if known, and the requestor's complete contact information. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the written request. Processing time varies based on the volume of pending requests.

By Phone:

Sheriff's Office: (601) 469-1411
Requestors should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Detailed record information is not released by phone; requestors may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated investigative materials through formal discovery procedures. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through routine public access. Records sought in connection with active legal proceedings are subject to applicable court rules and protective orders.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Forest Police Department, or other agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Scott County

Arrest records in Scott County are public records subject to disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq., which establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records maintained by government agencies. The public policy underlying this statute reflects the state's commitment to government transparency, accountability, and the public's right to be informed about the actions of law enforcement agencies operating on their behalf.

Arrest records serve multiple legitimate public purposes, including community safety awareness, journalistic investigation, academic research, background screening by employers and landlords, and use in legal proceedings. The presumption under Mississippi law favors disclosure, placing the burden on the government to demonstrate that a specific exemption applies before withholding responsive records.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Mississippi law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Information related to active criminal investigations may be withheld
Identities of undercover officers and confidential informants are protected
Victim identifying information is restricted in certain categories of cases
Participants in witness protection programs are not identified in public records

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The Mississippi Constitution and the Public Records Act together establish the framework for public access to government records. Courts have recognized that the First Amendment supports press and public access to arrest information as a matter of democratic accountability. At the same time, due process considerations require that arrest records be understood as documentation of an accusation, not a determination of guilt.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Occupational licensing agencies
Background check companies operating in compliance with the FCRA
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions when those records are obtained through consumer reporting agencies. Employers subject to the FCRA must follow adverse action procedures before taking employment action based on arrest record information. Under current federal guidance, arrests without convictions carry limited evidentiary weight in employment decisions. Mississippi does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though federal contractors are subject to separate requirements.

What's in Scott County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" designations
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars and tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest by street address or general area
Arresting agency (Scott County Sheriff's Office, Forest Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, or other)
Arresting officer name and badge number (included in some records)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information where applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges as filed
Mississippi statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions
Classification as felony or misdemeanor, including degree or class
Number of counts for each charge
Domestic violence designation where applicable
Gang-related designation where applicable

Booking Information:

Name and location of booking facility
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints collected during booking (not typically included in public records)
Inventory of personal property

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type, which may include cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
Bail bondsman information where applicable
Release date and time if the individual has been released
Conditions of release where made public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following arrest
Court jurisdiction (Circuit Court, County Court, or Justice Court)
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment where available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest as contained in the police report
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Investigative techniques and methods
Medical or mental health information
Substance abuse information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Complete residential address in certain circumstances
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports contain more detailed incident narratives and investigative information not included in the booking record
Court records document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest, including hearings, motions, and dispositions
Criminal records reflect convictions and sentences imposed following adjudication
Background checks are comprehensive screenings that draw from multiple sources including court records, state repositories, and federal databases

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Scott County?

Under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7, public agencies are authorized to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of reproducing public records. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges applicable to arrest record requests in Scott County.

Record Type	Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$0.25–$1.00 per page
Certified copy	$1.00–$5.00 per document
Electronic records (where available)	Varies by agency
Search fee	No statutory search fee required
Inspection of records	No charge for inspection only

Accepted payment methods at the Scott County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk's office include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the respective agency. Credit card acceptance varies by office.

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made in connection with legal proceedings where the court has authorized waiver. Members of the public who wish to inspect records without obtaining copies are not charged an inspection fee under current Mississippi law.

Booking photographs (mugshots) may be available at no charge through the online jail roster. Certified copies of court records carry separate fees established by the Circuit Clerk's office. Records obtained through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for certified criminal history background checks are subject to a separate fee schedule established by that agency.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Scott County

Mississippi law provides two primary mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement, which results in the legal erasure of the record, and sealing, which restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes. The distinction is significant: an expunged record is treated as though the arrest did not occur for most purposes, while a sealed record remains accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.

Under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, Mississippi permits expungement of certain first-offense felony convictions and a broader range of misdemeanor convictions, as well as arrests that did not result in conviction. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the amount of time that has elapsed since the arrest or conviction.

Cases eligible for expungement in Mississippi include:

Arrests where charges were never filed
Cases dismissed by the court
Acquittals following trial
Certain first-offense misdemeanor convictions after completion of sentence
Certain first-offense felony convictions as specified by statute
Successful completion of a pretrial diversion or intervention program

Steps to pursue expungement in Scott County:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and any associated court records from the Scott County Circuit Clerk
Confirm eligibility based on the offense type, case outcome, and applicable waiting period
Prepare and file a Petition for Expungement in the Scott County Circuit Court
Serve the petition on the district attorney's office and any other required parties
Attend the scheduled hearing before the circuit court judge
If the petition is granted, the court issues an Order of Expungement directing all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the record
Provide certified copies of the Order of Expungement to the Scott County Sheriff's Office, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and any other agencies holding the record

Scott County Circuit Court
100 East First Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1922

Scott County District Attorney's Office (16th Circuit District)
100 East First Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-2462

Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with a licensed Mississippi attorney to assess eligibility and navigate the petition process. The Mississippi Bar Association's lawyer referral service may be accessed through the Mississippi Bar.

What Happens After Arrest in Scott County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest anywhere in Scott County, the arrested individual is transported to the Scott County Jail, which is operated by the Scott County Sheriff's Office at 100 East First Street, Forest, MS 39074. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county. The individual remains in restraints during transport and may be held briefly at the scene if the investigation requires additional processing.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Scott County Jail, the booking process begins. This process takes approximately one to four hours depending on the volume of intakes at the facility. During booking, the following steps occur:

Personal identifying information is recorded
Miranda rights are read if not previously administered
A booking photograph (mugshot) is taken
Fingerprints are collected and submitted for criminal history and warrant checks
Outstanding warrants are identified
Personal property is inventoried and stored
Jail clothing is issued
Medical and brief mental health screenings are conducted
Housing classification is determined

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Mississippi law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate or judge for an initial appearance within 48 hours of arrest. At this hearing, the court formally notifies the defendant of the charges, determines bond or bail, advises the defendant of the right to counsel, and, where applicable, appoints a public defender for indigent defendants. Initial appearances may be conducted via video conference from the jail facility.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the court or jail. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided the defendant appears at all required court dates.

Surety Bond: The defendant or a family member engages a licensed bail bondsman, who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set at ten percent of the bond amount in Mississippi. The bondsman assumes responsibility for the defendant's appearance.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The defendant is released on a written promise to appear without monetary payment. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and an assessment of flight risk.

No Bond: The court may order that no bond be set in cases involving serious violent offenses, a demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, violations of probation or parole, immigration holds, or outstanding out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release:

Conditions imposed at the time of release may include regular check-in requirements with pretrial services, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, mandatory drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, the release process takes approximately one to eight hours. The defendant receives personal property, a written notice of the court date, and written conditions of release. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a bench warrant.

If bond is not posted, the defendant remains in custody at the Scott County Jail, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to jail rules, commissary procedures, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:

Indigent defendants in Scott County are represented by the Mississippi Office of State Public Defender or appointed counsel through the circuit court. Eligibility is determined based on income at the initial appearance.

Mississippi Office of State Public Defender
239 North Lamar Street, Suite 604
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 576-4290
Mississippi Office of State Public Defender

Private Attorney:

Defendants have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. Attorney visits at the Scott County Jail are conducted in a confidential setting. The Mississippi Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service through the Mississippi Bar.

Charging Decision:

Prosecutor's Review:

The District Attorney for the 16th Circuit District reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest depending on the complexity of the case and the nature of the charges.

Grand Jury (Felonies):

Felony charges in Mississippi may be presented to a grand jury, which determines whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment. Grand jury proceedings are conducted without the presence of defense counsel.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere. The majority of defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are scheduled.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. The prosecution and defense exchange evidence, including police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and audio and video recordings. Pretrial motions may address suppression of evidence, dismissal of charges, or other legal issues.

Case resolution options include dismissal, diversion programs such as drug court or mental health court, plea agreements, or trial. If the defendant is convicted following trial or a guilty plea, a sentencing hearing is scheduled at which the judge imposes a sentence that may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, or a combination of these.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: within 48 hours
First appearance to arraignment: days to several weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: several months, varying widely by case complexity
Misdemeanor cases: resolved within weeks to a few months
Felony cases: may take six months to over one year
Right to speedy trial: guaranteed under the Mississippi Constitution and the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Important Contacts:

Scott County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
100 East First Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1411
Scott County Sheriff

Scott County Circuit Clerk
100 East First Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-1922

16th Circuit District Attorney's Office
100 East First Street
Forest, MS 39074
Phone: (601) 469-2462

Mississippi Office of State Public Defender
239 North Lamar Street, Suite 604
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 576-4290
Mississippi Office of State Public Defender

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney, including other inmates
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Scott County?

Records Retention Overview:

The retention of arrest records in Scott County is governed by Mississippi law and the records retention schedules established by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Under current law, public agencies are required to maintain records in accordance with approved retention schedules and may not destroy records outside of those schedules without authorization.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions: Records of felony convictions are retained permanently by the Scott County Sheriff's Office, the Circuit Clerk's office, the Mississippi Criminal Information Center, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). These records form part of the individual's permanent criminal history and are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Misdemeanor Convictions: Misdemeanor conviction records are retained permanently at the state repository level. Local law enforcement and court records are maintained for extended periods in accordance with the applicable retention schedule.

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges: Records of arrests where charges were subsequently dismissed remain in local law enforcement databases and court records unless the subject obtains an expungement order. These records may persist in state and federal databases absent a court order directing their removal.

Acquittals: Records of arrests resulting in a not guilty verdict at trial are retained in court records, which are often permanent. Local law enforcement records are retained according to the applicable schedule. These records may be eligible for expungement under Mississippi law.

Charges Not Filed: Booking records for arrests where the prosecutor declined to file charges are retained for a period determined by the applicable retention schedule. These arrests are among the most readily eligible for expungement.

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records: Booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained in accordance with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History retention schedules. Evidence retention varies based on case outcome and the nature of the offense.

Digital Records: Records management systems and computer-aided dispatch records are often retained for extended periods or permanently. Electronic court records are maintained indefinitely in most instances. Mugshot databases maintained by third-party commercial websites are not subject to law enforcement retention schedules and may retain images indefinitely.

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office: Booking records and arrest reports are retained in accordance with the approved retention schedule. Investigative files are retained based on the nature and outcome of the case.

Clerk of Court: Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor case files are retained for a period specified in the retention schedule. Electronic court records are maintained indefinitely.

State Repository: The Mississippi Criminal Information Center maintains arrest and conviction records from all jurisdictions within the state. Retention policy at the state level follows Mississippi Department of Public Safety guidelines.

FBI Database: The NCIC and the Interstate Identification Index (III) maintain records accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide. Federal retention is effectively permanent for most categories of criminal history records.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

A conviction results in permanent retention across all relevant databases. A dismissal may allow the record to remain unless expungement is obtained. An expungement order directs the physical destruction or sealing of local records and requires the state repository to update its files; however, the FBI database may retain a notation of the record even following expungement. Third-party commercial background check websites are not bound by expungement orders and may not update their records promptly or at all.

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for arrests without convictions. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Mississippi does not currently impose a shorter reporting period by state statute. Individuals who have obtained expungements should be aware that third-party databases may not reflect the updated status of their records and may need to contact those companies directly to request removal.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Scott County Sheriff's Records Division at (601) 469-1411 to inquire about the status of a specific arrest record. A written public records request submitted pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 may be required to obtain detailed information about record retention for a specific arrest.