Union County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Union County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Union County, Mississippi, may access publicly available information through a combination of official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and online databases. The site UnionMSRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to criminal history records maintained by government agencies in Union County. Records accessible through official channels may include the following categories:
- Arrest records and booking reports
- Court case filings, dispositions, and sentencing records
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active and historical warrant information
- Jail and inmate records
- Sex offender registry entries
The following methods provide access to criminal records through official government resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
1. County Court Records
The Union County Circuit Court maintains criminal case files for felony matters, while the Justice Court handles misdemeanor proceedings.
Union County Circuit Court Clerk
109 Main Street
New Albany, MS 38652
Phone: (662) 534-1900
Union County Circuit Court
Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for self-service case lookups.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters.
Union County Sheriff's Office
109 Main Street
New Albany, MS 38652
Phone: (662) 534-1455
Union County Sheriff's Office
Arrest and booking records may be requested in person or by written request. Fees for copies are assessed per page in accordance with Mississippi public records law. The jail roster is at present updated regularly and reflects current inmate status.
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 filing date. The portal covers circuit and county court filings statewide, though not all historical records are digitized.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center, maintains the statewide criminal history repository.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety – Criminal Information Center
1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 987-1212
Mississippi DPS Criminal History
Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and fingerprints. Processing times and fees vary by request type. Fingerprint-based checks are the most accurate method for obtaining a complete criminal history.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Union County Circuit Court Clerk at 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652. 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 Union County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Union County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Mississippi law, criminal records encompass a broad range of documentation generated at each stage of the criminal justice process.
The distinction between record types is significant for legal and practical purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses with shorter potential sentences.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under state law. Juvenile records are at present treated as confidential under Mississippi Code § 43-21-261 and are sealed from public view.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document resolved matters.
The following agencies maintain criminal records in Union County:
- Union County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking reports
- Union County Circuit Court and Justice Court – case filings, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Criminal Information Center – statewide criminal history repository
- New Albany Police Department – local arrest and incident reports
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as cases progress through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent probation or parole proceedings. A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment dates, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Union County
Criminal records in Union County are subject to public disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act, codified at Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq. The Act establishes that public records are open to inspection by any person unless a specific exemption applies.
As stated in the statute, "all public records are hereby declared to be public property, and any person shall have the right to inspect, copy or mechanically reproduce or obtain a reproduction of any public record." Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public under this framework.
Certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Sealed court records pursuant to judicial order
- Expunged records under Mississippi Code § 99-19-71
- Juvenile records, which are confidential by statute
- Ongoing criminal investigation files where disclosure would impede law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The Mississippi Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public records access and exemptions through the Mississippi Attorney General's Public Records page. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to state open records laws.
How To Find Criminal Records in Union County Online?
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Union 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 Union County Sheriff's Office website at present maintains a publicly accessible jail roster reflecting current inmate bookings.
To conduct an online court search:
- Navigate to the Mississippi courts case search portal
- Select "Union County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Enter the subject's last name, first name, or case number
- Review results for case type, filing date, charges, and disposition
State-Level Resources
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety provides access to the statewide criminal history background check system. The Mississippi Sex Offender Registry is searchable through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registry.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public online databases
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating the implementation of electronic filing systems are not fully digitized. Online searches do not substitute for certified official background checks required for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings.
Can You Search Union County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Mississippi law mandates that public records be available for inspection at no charge. Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, any person has the right to inspect public records during regular business hours. Copying fees may apply. Free in-person inspection is available at:
- Union County Circuit Court Clerk, 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652
- Union County Justice Court, 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652
- Union County Sheriff's Office, 109 Main Street, New Albany, MS 38652
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | What's Free | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Courts Case Search | Case filings, dispositions | courts.ms.gov |
| Union County Jail Roster | Current inmate bookings | unioncountysheriff.com |
| MS Sex Offender Registry | Registered offender search | sor.ms.gov |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office are at present available for public inspection at no charge during regular business hours.
What Costs Money
| Item | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page (standard) |
| Official state background check | Varies by request type |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history | Fee set by DPS |
| Staff-assisted record searches | May incur hourly fee |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fee schedules are subject to change and are governed by applicable state statutes and agency rules.
What's Included in a Union County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A Union County criminal record at present includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), 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 and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), 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 parole, and any appeals filed.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or historical warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile records (sealed under Mississippi law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records
- Charges dismissed through completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their criminal records may seek correction through the originating agency or the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and legal proceedings.
How Long Does Union County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Mississippi courts and agencies are governed by retention schedules established under state law and administrative rules. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History publishes retention schedules applicable to county agencies.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies by agency; subject to expungement |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 21; destruction timeline per statute |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with Mississippi court records retention rules
- Sheriff and jail records are retained per agency policy and state retention schedules
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety retains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository, accessible through the Mississippi DPS Criminal Information Center
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are at present retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical elimination of a record after the retention period expires
- Sealing restricts public access to a record while preserving it for law enforcement use
- Expungement under Mississippi Code § 99-19-71 removes qualifying records from public access; eligibility is limited to first-time, non-violent offenders meeting statutory criteria
Even if county agencies destroy physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged through the appropriate judicial process. Expungement forms and eligibility information are available through the Mississippi Courts system.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules, independent of state or county retention schedules.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on record permanently and appear on background checks. Employment background screening services at present report convictions within the timeframes permitted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most adverse information to seven years, with exceptions for certain positions. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of all criminal history regardless of age.