Coahoma County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Coahoma County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Coahoma County may access publicly available information through CoahomaRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Coahoma County encompass a range of documents generated through the local criminal justice system, and the availability of specific records depends on the nature of the case, the agency maintaining the file, and applicable Mississippi law.
Records that may be found through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Circuit and county court case files
- Felony and misdemeanor charge histories
- Disposition records and sentencing information
- Jail rosters and inmate records
- Active warrant information
- Sex offender registry entries
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public at present.
1. County Court Records
The Coahoma County Circuit Court Clerk maintains court case files for felony and misdemeanor proceedings. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case year or case number.
Coahoma County Circuit Court Clerk
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3014
Coahoma County Circuit Court
Public access terminals are available at the clerk's office for on-site case searches. Staff may assist with locating records, though staff-assisted searches may be subject to a fee.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Coahoma County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail inmate information. Members of the public may submit records requests in person or in writing. Arrest and booking records are subject to disclosure under Mississippi's public records law, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations.
Coahoma County Sheriff's Office
115 First Street
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: (662) 624-3081
Coahoma County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts provides an online case search portal through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal covers circuit, chancery, and county court filings. Not all historical records are available electronically, and older cases may require an in-person request.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, through the Mississippi Criminal Information Center (MCIC), maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certified background checks, fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type. At present, the standard fee for a name-based background check is $25.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 987-1212
Mississippi DPS
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Coahoma County Circuit Court Clerk at 115 First Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Coahoma County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Coahoma County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing records generated from the point of arrest through final case disposition. Under Mississippi law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies as a case progresses through the system.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Mississippi law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification, carrying potential sentences of one year or more in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties, typically served in a county jail.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under the age of 18 at the time of the offense are classified as juvenile records and are subject to sealing provisions under Mississippi Code § 43-21-261, which restricts their public disclosure.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Coahoma County include:
- Coahoma County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Coahoma County Circuit Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing records
- Mississippi Criminal Information Center (MCIC) — statewide criminal history repository
- Clarksdale Police Department — municipal arrest and incident records
Records may include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status. Records are updated as cases progress through the Mississippi court system.
Are Criminal Records Public In Coahoma County
Criminal records in Coahoma County are subject to public disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act. Pursuant to Mississippi Code § 25-61-3, public records are defined broadly to include "all books, records, papers, accounts, letters, maps, photographs, films, cards, tapes, recordings or reproductions thereof, and any other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been used, being in use, or prepared, possessed or retained for use in the conduct, transaction or performance of any business, transaction, work, duty or function of any public body."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are available for public inspection. The following categories of records are accessible under current law:
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Court dockets and case filings
- Sentencing orders and judgment entries
- Arrest and booking records (subject to investigative exemptions)
Certain records are restricted from public disclosure, including:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed pursuant to § 43-21-261
- Records subject to expungement orders
- Ongoing criminal investigation files where disclosure would impede law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by court order
The Mississippi Attorney General's office provides guidance on public records access through the Mississippi Attorney General's Public Records page. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal disclosure rules and are not subject to Mississippi's open records statute.
How To Find Criminal Records in Coahoma County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Coahoma County court records is the Mississippi Electronic Courts portal, accessible through the Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts. Users may search active and recent case records by entering a party's full name or case number. The portal provides access to case filings, hearing dates, and disposition information for circuit and county court matters.
The Coahoma County Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster, which may be accessed through the county's official website at Coahoma County Government. The roster reflects individuals currently in custody and is updated on a regular basis.
State-Level Resources
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety provides access to the statewide criminal history system through the Mississippi Criminal Information Center. The MCIC portal supports name-based and fingerprint-based background check requests for authorized purposes. The Mississippi Sex Offender Registry is publicly searchable and maintained by the Department of Public Safety.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations
- Case number searches yield the most precise results and eliminate false matches
- Cross-reference results across multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating electronic filing systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing search tools
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag and may not include the most recent case activity. Historical records predating the implementation of electronic court filing are not fully digitized and require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official certified background checks for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings.
Can You Search Coahoma County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Mississippi law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, members of the public have the right to inspect public records during regular business hours. Copying fees may apply for reproductions. In-person inspection is available at:
- Coahoma County Circuit Court Clerk, 115 First Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614
- Coahoma County Sheriff's Office, 115 First Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
- Mississippi Electronic Courts case search — free name and case number searches
- Coahoma County jail roster — available through the county website at no charge
- Mississippi Sex Offender Registry — free public search
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Coahoma County Sheriff's Office are public records subject to inspection at no charge during regular business hours.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$2.00 per page |
| Official state background check (MCIC) | $25.00 |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $50.00+ |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fee schedules are established by statute and agency rule. Agencies may not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of reproduction under current Mississippi law.
What's Included in a Coahoma County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A complete criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, mugshot photograph, last known address, state identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of probation or supervised release, and any appeals filed.
Additional Record Categories
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI and DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges and open cases
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile records (sealed under § 43-21-261)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI
- Records from successfully completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the maintaining agency. The Mississippi Criminal Information Center provides a formal challenge process for disputing inaccurate state criminal history information through the Mississippi DPS.
How Long Does Coahoma County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Mississippi court records retention is governed by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History records retention schedules, which establish minimum retention periods for public agency records. Circuit court records for felony convictions are retained permanently under current state retention rules.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 5 years |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; subject to destruction per court order |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County Circuit Court: Felony and misdemeanor case files are retained permanently in accordance with state retention schedules.
- Sheriff's Office/Jail: Booking and arrest records are retained for a minimum period established by agency policy, with felony-related records retained longer.
- State Repository (MCIC): Conviction records are maintained permanently by the Mississippi Criminal Information Center.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed after scanning and digitization, with the electronic copy serving as the official record of retention.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing restricts public access to a record while preserving it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement is a legal process by which a court orders the removal or destruction of a criminal record. Under Mississippi law, certain first-time, non-violent offenders may petition for expungement pursuant to Mississippi Code § 99-19-71. Eligibility criteria, waiting periods, and excluded offenses are defined by statute. Even following expungement, records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for authorized purposes.
Old Records Access
Records predating electronic filing systems may require special requests to the circuit court clerk or the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Some historical records are held in state archival collections and may require additional processing time to retrieve.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal records are not subject to Mississippi's public records statute.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under current law. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for certain employment purposes, though convictions may be reported without a time limit for positions with salaries above a defined threshold. Professional licensing boards in Mississippi may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even where a county has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.