Criminal records in Lowndes County, Mississippi, are public documents accessible through various means. LowndesCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Lowndes County court clerk's office. Online tools, personal visits, and written requests all work to obtain the necessary data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lowndes
Start your search by determining the specific type of record you need — district court case, inmate information, or sex offender registry data. Each of these areas has a separate tool.
Online Search
- LowndesCourt.us — enter the person's first and last name to find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- MDOC Inmate Search — the Mississippi Department of Corrections allows you to search for individuals under state supervision by last name or MDOC identification number.
- Mississippi Sex Offender Registry — search by name, zip code, or county.
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi — for federal criminal cases involving Lowndes County, use the PACER system through this court.
Personal Visit
The Circuit Clerk's office in Columbus is the primary place for searching county criminal cases. They usually have public terminals for viewing records. Bring a photo ID with you.
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 a money order to cover fees. To obtain an official state-level criminal history, a request is submitted to the Mississippi Criminal Information Center (MCIC) at the Department of Public Safety.
What you need to start the search:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
- MDOC identification number (for inmate searches)
Search Lowndes Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific record. In Mississippi, the format of a district court criminal case number usually includes several elements separated by dashes.
The typical structure looks like this:
- Filing year — two or four digits (e.g., 2024)
- Case type letter code — for example, "CR" stands for criminal case
- Sequential number — a number assigned by the clerk's office
Example: 2024-CR-00152 — a criminal case from 2024 with sequential number 152. If you only have part of the number, the clerk can help clarify the rest. Cases in the Columbus Municipal Court or Justice Court have their own numbering, so it's important to know which court handled the case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lowndes
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of the main ones.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Reference to the section of the Mississippi Code under which the charge is brought (e.g., Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-7 — assault) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, and hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the case has been resolved (verdict, plea, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including the execution of the sentence
Hearings
Types of court hearings in Lowndes County criminal cases:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the charges are read to the defendant, and they enter a plea
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial — parties discuss procedural matters before the trial
- Sentencing — issuing a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence, such as probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by jury decision, judge, or plea agreement |
| Not guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue the charge |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lowndes
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Lowndes County Circuit Clerk's office. These documents bear the official court seal and are accepted as legal evidence.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — visit the office at the address below with a photo ID
- By mail — send a written request with case details, a copy of your ID, and a money order
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, a request must be submitted to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center. This process usually requires fingerprinting.
What you need for the request:
- Defendant's full name and case number (if known)
- Photo ID (state ID or driver's license)
- Payment of fees by money order or check payable to Circuit Clerk
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lowndes
Fees for copying and certifying documents in Mississippi are regulated by state law. Below are the approximate rates for Lowndes County.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification fee | $1.00–$5.00 per document |
| State-level criminal history check (via DPS) | Depends on the type of check; usually $32.00 and up |
These fees may change. Check current rates directly with the Circuit Clerk's office or on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website.
Processing times:
- Copies of court documents for in-person requests — usually the same day or within a few business days
- Mail requests — from 5 to 15 business days depending on complexity
- Criminal history check via DPS — from 5 to 30 business days, especially if fingerprinting is required
Payment for mail requests is accepted in the form of a money order or cashier's check. Personal checks and cash are generally not accepted by mail by the clerk's office.