Criminal records in DeSoto County, Mississippi, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. DeSotoCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, the DeSoto County Circuit Clerk's office, the Justice Court public inquiry portal, and the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.
How to Search Criminal Records in DeSoto
There are several ways to search for criminal records in DeSoto County, depending on the court level and the type of information you need.
Online Search Options
- DeSotoCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information, including criminal cases filed in DeSoto County.
- Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) — Since October 25, 2021, the DeSoto County Circuit Clerk's office has used MEC for e-filing Circuit and County court cases. All civil and criminal cases, including judgment rolls, must be accessed through MEC. Users must register through MEC to search records online.
- Justice Court Public Inquiry — The DeSoto County Justice Court case inquiry portal allows you to search criminal and civil cases handled at the Justice Court level.
- Jail Docket — To find out if someone is currently in custody, search the DeSoto County Adult Detention Facility online jail docket or call 662-469-8500.
- MDOC Inmate Search — For individuals serving state sentences, use the Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate search.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- MDOC ID number (for state inmate searches)
In Person
You can visit the DeSoto County Circuit Clerk's office in Hernando to search court records using public access terminals or request assistance from staff. Justice Court records can be accessed at the Justice Court Clerk's office.
By Mail or Written Request
Written requests for court records can be mailed to the Circuit Clerk. Police and arrest records must be requested from the law enforcement agency that generated the report, per the county's public records request policy. For statewide criminal history checks, contact the Mississippi Criminal Information Center (CIC) at the Department of Public Safety, which maintains the state's criminal records repository and provides fingerprint-based identification services.
Search DeSoto Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Enter it directly into the MEC system (for Circuit and County Court cases) or the Justice Court public inquiry portal.
Mississippi case numbers typically follow a format that includes:
- A prefix or code indicating the court type (e.g., "CR" for criminal cases in Circuit Court)
- A year designation — usually two or four digits representing the year the case was filed
- A sequential number — assigned in the order the case was filed within that year
For example, a case number like CR2023-0456 would indicate a criminal case filed in Circuit Court in 2023, as the 456th case filed that year. Justice Court cases may use a different numbering convention. If you're unsure about the format, the Circuit Clerk's office or Justice Court Clerk can help you locate the correct case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in DeSoto
Criminal case records in DeSoto County typically contain several key data points. Here's what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Mississippi Code section the defendant is charged under |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court has jurisdiction |
| Amended Charges | Original charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations or court rulings |
Felony cases are handled in DeSoto County Circuit Court. Misdemeanors and minor offenses may be heard in County Court or Justice Court.
Case Status
- Pending — Case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Case is currently proceeding through the court
- Disposed — A final decision has been entered
- Closed — All proceedings, including sentencing and appeals, are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary Hearing — Judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed
- Pre-Trial — Motions, discovery issues, and plea discussions before trial
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with court orders
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted by plea or trial |
| 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 |
| Acquitted | Defendant found not guilty after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in DeSoto
Certified copies of criminal court records are available from different offices depending on the record type.
Circuit and County Court Records
Request certified copies from the DeSoto County Circuit Clerk. You can submit requests in person, by mail, or through the MEC system if you have a registered account.
Justice Court Records
Contact the Justice Court Clerk's office for records from that court.
Police and Arrest Records
These must be requested from the law enforcement agency that created the report. For reports generated by the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, contact them directly.
State Criminal History Records
For a formal criminal background check, submit a fingerprint-based request to the Mississippi Criminal Information Center at the Department of Public Safety. This is required for employment screening, licensing, and other official purposes.
What You'll Need
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Full name and date of birth of the subject (for court records)
- Case number, if available
- Completed fingerprint card (for state criminal history requests)
- Payment for applicable fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in DeSoto
Fees vary depending on the office and the type of record requested. The following table reflects general fee structures based on Mississippi statute and county practice.
| Service | Estimated Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (per page) | $0.50 | Standard per-page rate under Mississippi law (Miss. Code § 25-7-13) |
| Certification fee | $1.00–$5.00 | Added to copy costs for certified documents; varies by clerk's office |
| State criminal history check (CIC) | $32.00 | Fingerprint-based background check through the Department of Public Safety |
| MEC online access | Subscription-based | Registration required; fees set by the MEC system |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks, depending on the office's workload
- State criminal history (CIC) — Typically 5–10 business days for fingerprint-based results
Contact the relevant office directly to confirm current fees, as amounts may change. The Circuit Clerk's office can be reached at 662-469-8007.