Rankin County Public Records /Rankin County Court Records

Rankin County Court Records

What Is Rankin County Court Records

Rankin County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records serve as the comprehensive documentation of judicial activities and are maintained pursuant to Mississippi Code § 9-1-37, which mandates the proper keeping of court records.

Court records in Rankin County typically include:

Case files containing pleadings, motions, and responses
Court dockets listing scheduled hearings and case status
Judicial orders and final judgments
Transcripts of court proceedings
Evidence and exhibits admitted during trials
Sentencing and probation records in criminal matters
Marriage and divorce decrees
Probate and estate documentation

These judicial records differ from other public records such as property deeds, vital statistics, or tax assessments, which are maintained by separate county departments. The Rankin County Circuit Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for most court records within the jurisdiction.

The following courts maintain records in Rankin County:

Rankin County Circuit Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-825-1469
Rankin County Circuit Court

Rankin County Chancery Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-825-1467
Rankin County Chancery Court

Rankin County Justice Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-824-2665
Rankin County Justice Court

Rankin County Youth Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-825-1472
Rankin County Youth Court

Are Court Records Public In Rankin County

Court records in Rankin County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Mississippi Public Records Act § 25-61-1 and the constitutional principle of open courts. This legislation establishes the presumption that government records, including court documents, should be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The following court records are typically available for public access:

Civil case files and associated documents
Criminal case records (post-charging)
Judgments, orders, and final dispositions
Court dockets and hearing schedules
Property records related to legal proceedings
Probate and estate matters

However, certain categories of court records may be restricted or sealed pursuant to Mississippi Code § 25-61-9, which provides exemptions for:

Juvenile court proceedings (except as permitted by statute)
Adoption records
Mental health commitment proceedings
Records sealed by judicial order
Cases involving minors as victims of certain crimes
Grand jury proceedings and materials
Records containing personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers

It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the Southern District of Mississippi, which includes Rankin County, are governed by federal access policies rather than state law. The Mississippi Supreme Court has established rules regarding public access to court records through the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure, which provide guidance on record accessibility.

How To Find Court Records in Rankin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Rankin County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The county maintains both in-person and electronic access options to accommodate various research needs.

For in-person requests, individuals may:

Visit the appropriate court clerk's office during regular business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Complete a records request form specifying the case number, party names, or other identifying information
Present valid photo identification
Pay applicable search and copy fees as established by state statute
Wait for staff to retrieve the requested documents or schedule a return visit if records are archived

For remote access requests:

Submit a written request via mail to the appropriate court clerk's office
Include specific case information, contact details, and payment for applicable fees
Allow 5-10 business days for processing and response

The Rankin County Circuit Clerk's Office handles records for circuit and county courts, while the Chancery Clerk maintains chancery, probate, and family court records. Justice Court records must be requested directly from the Justice Court Clerk.

Pursuant to Mississippi Code § 25-61-7, the custodian of records must respond to requests within seven working days. Fees for copies are set at a reasonable cost, not exceeding actual cost of document search, review, and duplication.

How To Look Up Court Records in Rankin County Online?

Rankin County offers several digital platforms for accessing court records electronically. These systems vary in scope and functionality based on the court and case types.

The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system provides online access to many Rankin County court records through its public portal. To utilize this resource:

Visit the Mississippi Electronic Courts website
Register for a public access account if you don't already have one
Select Rankin County from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
Enter search criteria such as case number, party name, or filing date
Review the list of matching cases and select the desired record
Pay any applicable access fees for document viewing or downloading

For Justice Court records, users may access the Mississippi Justice Court Online Records System:

Navigate to the Justice Court section of the portal
Select Rankin County from the available jurisdictions
Enter search parameters including defendant name, case number, or citation number
Review search results for basic case information
Note that complete case files may require in-person requests

Criminal case information may be searched through the Mississippi Court Information System (MCIS), which provides:

Case status and scheduling information
Party and attorney details
Docket entries and case events
Limited document access for public cases

Users should be aware that online systems may not contain all available records, particularly for older cases or those with restricted access. Additionally, certain document types may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate clerk's office.

How To Search Rankin County Court Records for Free?

Mississippi law provides for free public inspection of court records during normal business hours at the courthouse where such records are maintained. According to Mississippi Code § 25-61-5, while reasonable fees may be charged for document copies, the inspection of records is available without charge.

Free access options in Rankin County include:

In-person inspection at the appropriate clerk's office during regular business hours
Public access terminals located in the courthouse for electronic record viewing
Basic case information searches through the Mississippi Electronic Courts public portal
Limited docket information through the court's public website

The following resources provide free access to certain court information:

Rankin County Circuit Clerk's Office
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-825-1469
Rankin County Circuit Clerk

Public terminals at this location provide free access to circuit and county court records. Visitors may search cases and view basic information without charge, though printing fees may apply.

The Mississippi Judiciary website also offers free access to appellate court opinions and limited trial court information. While comprehensive document access may require payment of statutory fees, basic case information remains available at no cost to the public.

What's Included in a Rankin County Court Record?

Court records in Rankin County contain various documents depending on the case type and court of jurisdiction. A typical court file may include the following components:

For Civil Cases:

Complaint or petition initiating the action
Summons and proof of service
Defendant's answer or response
Motions filed by either party
Discovery documents (if filed with the court)
Affidavits and sworn statements
Exhibits and evidence presented
Court orders and rulings on motions
Final judgment or decree
Post-judgment motions and orders
Appeal documentation if applicable

For Criminal Cases:

Charging documents (indictment or information)
Arrest warrant and return of service
Bail or bond information
Defendant's plea
Pretrial motions and rulings
Evidence inventory
Trial transcripts (if prepared)
Jury instructions
Verdict forms
Sentencing documents
Probation reports (may be restricted)
Appeal notices and briefs

For Family Court Matters:

Divorce petitions and responses
Child custody and support documents
Parenting plans
Financial affidavits
Property division agreements
Temporary and final orders
Modification requests

For Probate Cases:

Will and testament
Petition for probate
Letters testamentary or administration
Inventory of estate assets
Claims against the estate
Accounting reports
Distribution orders
Estate closing documents

Each court record also typically contains a case docket sheet, which serves as a chronological index of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in the case. This docket provides a comprehensive overview of the case's procedural history and current status.

How Long Does Rankin County Keep Court Records?

Rankin County adheres to the records retention schedules established by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History pursuant to Mississippi Code § 25-59-1. These schedules dictate the minimum time periods for maintaining various types of court records.

The retention periods for common court records include:

Felony case files: Permanently maintained
Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after final disposition
Civil case files: 10 years after final judgment
Domestic relations cases: Permanently maintained
Probate cases: Permanently maintained
Small claims cases: 5 years after final disposition
Traffic violations: 3 years after final disposition
Court dockets: Permanently maintained
Judgment rolls and indexes: Permanently maintained
Grand jury records: Permanently maintained

Certain case types, particularly those involving real property, estates, adoptions, and major felonies, are preserved indefinitely due to their ongoing legal significance. The Mississippi Local Government Records Office provides oversight and guidance on records retention practices.

Digital preservation initiatives have expanded the county's capacity to maintain older records, with many historical documents now available in electronic format. However, some older records may be stored in off-site archives and require additional time to retrieve upon request.

Records scheduled for destruction are reviewed by the circuit clerk and county attorney to ensure compliance with retention requirements before disposal. Court orders, judgments, and other documents with permanent legal value are never destroyed, regardless of age.

Types of Courts In Rankin County

Rankin County's judicial system consists of several courts with varying jurisdictions and authority levels. Each court handles specific case types according to Mississippi's judicial structure.

Rankin County Circuit Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-825-1469
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Rankin County Circuit Court

The Circuit Court is Rankin County's court of general jurisdiction, handling felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $200,000, and appeals from lower courts. It operates within the Twentieth Circuit Court District of Mississippi.

Rankin County Chancery Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-825-1467
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Rankin County Chancery Court

The Chancery Court handles equity matters including divorce, child custody, property disputes, estates, guardianships, mental commitments, and juvenile matters. Rankin County is part of the Twentieth Chancery Court District.

Rankin County Justice Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-824-2665
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Rankin County Justice Court

Justice Court handles misdemeanors, small claims up to $3,500, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. The court also issues search and arrest warrants.

Rankin County Youth Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-825-1472
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Rankin County Youth Court

Youth Court handles cases involving minors, including delinquency, children in need of supervision, and abuse/neglect matters.

Municipal Courts
Several municipalities within Rankin County maintain their own courts for city ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses occurring within city limits:

Brandon Municipal Court
1000 Municipal Drive
Brandon, MS 39042
601-825-5033
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pearl Municipal Court
2420 Old Brandon Road
Pearl, MS 39208
601-932-3578
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Flowood Municipal Court
2101 Airport Road
Flowood, MS 39232
601-932-2010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Appeals from these courts proceed to the Circuit Court, with subsequent appeals going to the Mississippi Court of Appeals and potentially to the Mississippi Supreme Court for cases of significant legal importance.

What Types of Cases Do Rankin County Courts Hear?

Rankin County's court system adjudicates a wide range of legal matters distributed among its various courts according to subject matter jurisdiction and case value.

The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over:

Felony criminal prosecutions
Civil lawsuits exceeding $200,000 in damages
Appeals from County, Justice, and Municipal courts
Eminent domain proceedings
Title disputes
Election contests
Civil rights matters
Complex commercial litigation

The Chancery Court presides over:

Divorce, alimony, and child support cases
Child custody and visitation disputes
Adoptions and termination of parental rights
Property division in domestic relations
Wills, estates, and probate matters
Guardianships and conservatorships
Land partitions and boundary disputes
Mental commitment proceedings
Equity matters and injunctive relief

The Justice Court handles:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations occurring in unincorporated areas
Small claims civil cases up to $3,500
Landlord-tenant disputes and evictions
Preliminary hearings in felony cases
Issuance of search and arrest warrants
Peace bonds and protective orders

The Youth Court adjudicates:

Juvenile delinquency proceedings
Children in need of supervision
Child abuse and neglect cases
Termination of parental rights (concurrent with Chancery)
Status offenses by minors

Municipal Courts within Rankin County cities have jurisdiction over:

Municipal ordinance violations
Misdemeanor crimes occurring within city limits
Traffic violations within city boundaries
Initial appearances for felonies committed in the municipality

Each court maintains its own records according to case type, with some overlap in jurisdiction for certain matters. The appropriate venue for a particular case depends on the nature of the legal issue, the amount in controversy, and the geographic location where the incident occurred or where the parties reside.

How To Find a Court Docket In Rankin County

Court dockets in Rankin County provide a chronological listing of scheduled hearings, filings, and case events. These records are accessible through several methods depending on the court and case type.

To access court dockets in person:

Visit the clerk's office for the relevant court during business hours
Provide the case number or party names to the clerk
Request to view the docket sheet for the specified case
Pay any applicable search or copy fees if printed copies are needed

For electronic docket access:

Navigate to the Mississippi Electronic Courts website
Register for a public access account if needed
Select Rankin County from the jurisdiction menu
Search by case number, party name, or filing date
View the docket entries for matching cases

Weekly court calendars listing upcoming hearings are typically posted:

On bulletin boards near courtrooms
At the clerk's office public counter
On the county court website under court calendars
Through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system

For Justice Court dockets, contact:

Rankin County Justice Court
301 East Government Street
Brandon, MS 39042
601-824-2665
Rankin County Justice Court

Municipal court dockets must be requested from the specific municipal court clerk's office in the relevant city. These dockets are generally not available through the county's electronic system.

Attorneys registered with the Mississippi Electronic Courts system receive electronic notifications of docket updates for their cases and can access comprehensive docket information through their secure accounts.

Which Courts in Rankin County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Mississippi's judicial system, "courts of record" are those that maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings and whose decisions may be appealed directly on the record created at trial. Conversely, "courts not of record" do not routinely create verbatim transcripts, and appeals from these courts typically result in a new trial (trial de novo) rather than a review of the existing record.

According to Mississippi Code § 9-9-21, the following courts in Rankin County are classified as courts not of record:

Justice Court
Municipal Courts (Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Richland, and other municipalities)

These courts share several characteristics:

Proceedings are not typically recorded verbatim by court reporters
Judges are not required to be attorneys (though many are)
Appeals result in a completely new trial in Circuit Court
Formal rules of evidence and procedure may be applied less stringently
Proceedings are often more expeditious and less formal

Justice Courts handle misdemeanors, small claims up to $3,500, and preliminary matters in felony cases. Municipal Courts adjudicate city ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses occurring within city limits.

By contrast, Rankin County courts of record include:

Circuit Court
Chancery Court
County Court

These courts maintain complete records of all proceedings, employ court reporters to create verbatim transcripts, and appeals from these courts proceed directly to the Mississippi Court of Appeals or Supreme Court based on the record established at trial.

The distinction between courts of record and courts not of record is significant for parties considering appeals, as the process, standards of review, and potential outcomes differ substantially between the two categories.