Criminal records in Rankin County, Mississippi, are available through several channels. RankinCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk's Office. Online tools, personal visits to the court, or written requests — each of these methods provides access to different categories of criminal data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Rankin
Start your search by determining what specific information you are looking for: a court case, inmate status, or a person's criminal history. This will dictate which resource to approach.
Online Search
- RankinCourt.us — enter the full name of the person to find publicly available information about criminal cases in Rankin County.
- MDOC Inmate Search — The Mississippi Department of Corrections allows searches by name or MDOC identification number. The system shows current status, location, and parole information.
- Criminal Information Center (CIC) — a division of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains a centralized repository of state criminal histories according to Miss. Code Ann. § 45-27-7. An official criminal check requires a fingerprint request.
- Sex Offender Registry — a public database with search capabilities by name or address.
Personal Visit
The Circuit Clerk's Office in Brandon maintains criminal cases heard by the Circuit Court and County Court. Public access terminals in the courthouse allow viewing of case materials. Bring identification with you.
Rankin County Circuit Clerk
Written Request
Send a letter to the Circuit Clerk's Office specifying the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. Include a copy of your ID and payment of the appropriate fee. To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, send a request to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
To begin your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
- MDOC identification number (for inmate search)
Search Rankin Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Mississippi is assigned a unique number at the time of filing. The number format typically includes several elements:
- Filing year — two or four digits at the beginning (e.g., 24 or 2024).
- Case type code — a letter designation indicating jurisdiction or category. For example, "CR" for criminal cases in Circuit Court.
- Sequential number — a consecutive number assigned by the clerk's office.
Typical format: 24-CR-00123. The exact format may vary slightly depending on the court level — Circuit Court or County Court. If you have the case number, it is the fastest way to find a specific case: enter it in the appropriate field of the court's search system or inform the clerk during a personal visit.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Rankin
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Mississippi Code under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — the new wording replaces the previous one in the case materials |
Case Status
- Pending — the case has been filed, but no court decision has been made yet.
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, and hearings are scheduled.
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision.
- Closed — all procedures, including sentence execution, are completed.
Hearings
A criminal case in Rankin County goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant hears the charges and states their plea (guilty / not guilty).
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
- Pre-trial — parties discuss procedural issues and possible plea agreements.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or verdict.
- Review — a control session to check compliance with the sentence conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The defendant is acquitted |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor has dropped the charges |
| Acquitted | The court or jury fully acquitted the defendant after reviewing the evidence |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Rankin
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with the court seal, accepted by other institutions as legally significant. Who issues them depends on what exactly you need.
Circuit Clerk's Office
Issues certified copies of court cases, sentences, indictments, and other criminal proceedings documents.
How to submit a request:
- In person — visit the office with photo identification. Provide the case number or the defendant's full name.
- By mail — send a written request with case details, a copy of ID, and a check or money order to the office address.
State-Level Criminal History
For a complete criminal background check, contact the Criminal Information Center at the Department of Public Safety. The procedure requires submitting fingerprints and completing a special request form. Results are sent by mail.
Required documents:
- Photo identification (driver's license, passport)
- Completed request form
- Fingerprint card (for CIC check)
- Payment of the established fee
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Rankin
Fees are set according to the Mississippi Code and the clerk's internal fee schedule. The following are approximate amounts — check current rates directly with the clerk's office, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50–$1.00 | Depends on the type of document |
| Certification of copy | $1.00–$5.00 per document | Added to the copying cost |
| Criminal history check (CIC, state level) | $32.00 | Includes fingerprint processing; payment by money order |
| FBI database search (federal check) | Additional to CIC fee | Required for some categories of employers and licenses |
Processing times:
- Document copies for in-person requests — usually the same day or within a few business days.
- Mail requests to the clerk's office — from 5 to 15 business days.
- Criminal history check through CIC — may take from 2 to 6 weeks depending on workload.
For exact fee details, call the Rankin County Clerk's Office at (601) 825-1475 or visit the office in person.