Criminal records in Forrest County, Mississippi, can be accessed through several channels. ForrestCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information filed in the county. Additional access points include the official Mississippi court system, law enforcement agencies such as the Mississippi Criminal Information Center, and the Forrest County Circuit Court Clerk's office. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, most court records are available for public inspection unless sealed or otherwise restricted.
How to Search Criminal Records in Forrest County
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Through ForrestCourt.us
Start at ForrestCourt.us to search publicly available court record information for Forrest County criminal cases. You can search by the defendant's name or case number.
Online — State and County Tools
- Forrest County Official Records Inquiry: The Forrest County records inquiry portal allows searches of indexed county records online.
- Mississippi Department of Corrections Inmate Search: Use the MDOC Inmate Search to look up individuals currently or formerly incarcerated in the state prison system. Search by name or MDOC ID number.
- Federal Cases: For federal criminal cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, use the PACER system. Forrest County falls within this district.
In Person
Visit the Forrest County Circuit Court Clerk's office at the Forrest County Courthouse in Hattiesburg. Public access terminals or docket books may be available for on-site searches. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
- County-level records: Submit a written request to the Forrest County Circuit Court Clerk specifying the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- State criminal history records: Request a formal background check through the Mississippi Criminal Information Center (CIC) at the Department of Public Safety. Fingerprint-based checks require scheduling a live scan fingerprint appointment at a county health department.
What You Need to Begin
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- MDOC ID number (for state inmate searches)
Search Forrest County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by it is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Mississippi circuit court case numbers typically follow a format that includes:
- A two-digit year prefix indicating when the case was filed
- A court-type abbreviation (e.g., "CR" for criminal)
- A sequential filing number
For example, a case number like 23-CR-00456 would indicate a criminal case filed in 2023 as the 456th case of that type. The exact format may vary slightly between the circuit court and justice court. When contacting the clerk's office or using an online portal, enter the case number exactly as it appears on any documents you have — including dashes and leading zeros.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Forrest County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | References the Mississippi Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., Miss. Code Ann. § 97-17-42 for burglary) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending: The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active: Court proceedings are underway
- Disposed: A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed: All obligations (sentencing, fines, probation) are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing: Judge determines if there is probable cause to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss case resolution, motions, and scheduling
- Sentencing: Judge imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing: Court checks compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted by plea or trial verdict |
| Not guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the prosecution or court |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecution chose not to pursue the case further |
| Acquitted | Formal finding that the defendant is not guilty |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Forrest County
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
The Forrest County Circuit Court Clerk is the custodian of criminal case files for circuit court matters. To obtain a certified copy of a criminal record:
- Visit the clerk's office in person or submit a written request by mail
- Provide the defendant's full name and case number
- Present a valid government-issued photo ID if appearing in person
- Pay the applicable certification and copy fees
Forrest County Circuit Court Clerk
State Criminal History Records
For a formal criminal background check, contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Criminal Information Center. Fingerprint-based checks are processed through live scan appointments at participating county health departments.
MDOC Records
The Mississippi Department of Corrections accepts written public records requests. Requests by telephone are not accepted.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Forrest County
Fees vary by office and record type. The following are standard costs based on Mississippi statutory fee schedules and common county practices.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Document copies (per page) | $0.50 | Standard rate under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13; actual county fees may vary slightly |
| Certification fee | $1.50 per document | Per Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13 for circuit clerk certifications |
| State criminal history check (name-based) | $32.00 | Through the Mississippi CIC at DPS |
| State criminal history check (fingerprint-based) | $32.00+ | Additional FBI processing fees may apply |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the clerk's office: Often same-day for simple copy requests; certified copies may take one to several business days
- Mail requests: Typically 5–10 business days after the clerk receives the request and payment
- State background checks (CIC): Name-based checks may take 3–5 business days; fingerprint-based checks can take 2–4 weeks depending on FBI processing
Contact the Forrest County Circuit Court Clerk directly to confirm current fees before submitting payment, as amounts may be updated periodically.