The MSDH Criminal History Record Check Division processes criminal background checks for healthcare and childcare facilities, but the Mississippi Department of Public Safety offers the same information to the general public. They have detailed information on their website about how to get criminal records and also how to apply to have your criminal record expunged. All criminal records are processed using fingerprints through AFIS and LIVESCAN. You can also use a third-party service to run a background check on someone quickly and easily.
Due to a lack of funding, Mississippi’s judicial website is not kept up to date. Therefore, you should use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system to find and copy federal criminal court documents. Each district court has their own website, and some offer online access to local court cases, civil and criminal. You can also visit the courthouse both federal or district to obtain copies of criminal case documents that are publicly accessible. You can also use an online portal service to find court documents easily.
Felonies and misdemeanors will stay on your record in Mississippi forever if you do not petition the court to have them expunged. Most misdemeanors and some felonies are eligible to be removed from your criminal record. First offenses and DUIs can generally be dismissed after a five-year waiting period. You must also comply with a long list of other requirements when applying for expungement. Some felonies will never be removed from your record.
Of course, law enforcement officers and government agencies can look up your entire criminal history easily using their in-house system. But did you know that anyone else can also look up your criminal background online? Neighbors, gun dealers, schools, and the general public have the legal right to check out your criminal history any time they like.
The reasons why you would want to check on someone’s filed criminal charges are numerous. You might be interested having someone new watch your kids. Perhaps you are considering online dating; that is an excellent reason to check up on someone first. When you purchase a firearm, the gun dealer has to check your criminal history by law.
Arrests, warrants, charges, felony convictions, misdemeanors, driving infractions, DUIs and sex offenses are the most common types of criminal records you will see on a person’s report. Additionally, incarcerations, fines, bail, bond information, mug shots, and fingerprints may also be included in Mississippi criminal records.
Mississippi law enforcement agents create criminal records every time they record an event surrounding a crime. It starts when the person is arrested with the RAP sheet, and then every other form, document, and report created becomes a part of their criminal history.
