Copiah County Court Records Search

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    Copiah County, Mississippi is served by three distinct trial courts — the Circuit Court, Chancery Court, and Justice Court — each handling different categories of legal matters for residents of Hazlehurst and the surrounding communities. These courts produce records covering everything from felony prosecutions and civil disputes to estate proceedings and family law matters. Knowing which court maintains a particular record, and how to request it, is the essential first step in any successful records search.

    You can find public court case information for Mississippi through MississippiStateCourts.us, which may point you toward relevant court resources and publicly accessible case data. Beyond that, records are reachable in person at the relevant clerk's office, through the state judiciary's electronic filing system, or by mail request. Each approach carries its own requirements and, in some cases, applicable fees.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Copiah County?

    Your two main options for locating a Copiah County court case are in-person inspection at the clerk's office of the appropriate court, or electronic access through Mississippi's statewide court system. The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) platform and its public-facing counterpart, the Public Access Mississippi Electronic Case Management system (PAMEC), let you search for case records and view electronically filed documents. Members of the public who set up a user account through PAMEC can view court documents at a rate of $0.20 per page.

    For cases not yet available through the electronic system, or when you need certified copies, a visit to the clerk's office of the relevant court is necessary. The three courts serving Copiah County are:

    Copiah County Circuit Court (Circuit Clerk: Derrick Cubit)
    Address: 100 Caldwell Drive, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
    Mailing: P.O. Box 467, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
    Phone: (601) 894-1241
    Fax: (601) 894-3026
    Email: derrick@copiahcountyms.gov

    Copiah County Chancery Court (Chancery Clerk: Deborah Sandifer)
    Address: 122 South Lowe Street, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
    Mailing: P.O. Box 507, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
    Phone: (601) 894-3021
    Fax: (601) 894-4081

    Copiah County Justice Court
    Address: 121 West Frost Street, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
    Phone: (601) 894-3218 or (601) 894-4403
    Fax: (601) 894-6038

    When requesting records in person, having the full names of the parties and an approximate case filing date or case number will significantly speed up retrieval. Copy fees at the court clerk level are generally $0.50 per page for standard copies made by court staff, and $0.25 per page for copies made by the public on self-service equipment. Certified copies carry additional certification fees.

    Are Court Records Public in Copiah County?

    Most Copiah County court records are presumed to be public. Access is governed by the Mississippi Supreme Court's Public Records Policy, which was formally adopted by administrative order and establishes the judiciary's framework for openness and disclosure. It's worth noting that Mississippi's judiciary operates as a separate branch of government and is not subject to the Mississippi Public Records Act — access to court records is regulated exclusively by the court's own policy and applicable state law.

    Under this framework, records available for public inspection during regular business hours include most civil case filings, criminal court dockets, and court orders. However, certain categories of records are shielded from public access by law or court order:

    • Adoption records and proceedings
    • Juvenile court records
    • Grand jury records and transcripts
    • Mental health commitment proceedings
    • Records sealed by court order
    • Documents containing personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, and personal phone numbers

    A clerk may also decline a request that would substantially and unreasonably disrupt the court's routine operations — for instance, an overly broad request for "all court records". When a request is denied, the clerk must provide written notice within 14 days. If you receive a denial, you may appeal within 14 days by submitting a written request for review to the Supreme Court Administrator at P.O. Box 117, Jackson, MS 39205-0117.

    If you need access to a record that is otherwise confidential — such as a sealed file — you must obtain a court order permitting disclosure before the clerk can provide it.

    Copiah County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Copiah County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the offense. The Copiah County Circuit Court holds jurisdiction over felony indictments and major criminal prosecutions. Defendants charged with felonies first appear in Justice Court, where a judge sets bond and may conduct a preliminary hearing to determine probable cause before binding the matter over to the Circuit Court's grand jury. The Circuit Court then handles arraignments, trials, and sentencing for these more serious cases.

    The Copiah County Justice Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary matters. Copiah County has two Justice Court Judges — Teresa G. Bozeman and Price D. Henley — who preside over misdemeanor trials and set bond for felony charges. Preliminary hearings are scheduled on the second Monday of each month, while contested misdemeanor hearings are held once a month on a designated Thursday.

    Criminal History and Arrest Information

    Court records reflect the judicial proceedings in a case, but they don't constitute a complete criminal history. For arrest-level information — including incident reports and booking data — contact the Copiah County Sheriff's Office:

    Sheriff: Byron Swilley
    Address: 20030 Highway 51, Gallman, Mississippi 39077
    Phone: (601) 892-2023 or (601) 894-3011
    Fax: (601) 892-2133

    The Mississippi judiciary also offers a subscriber-based service for criminal background check information through the Administrative Office of Courts. Customized search requests may be submitted in writing to: Administrative Office of Courts, P.O. Box 117, Jackson, MS 39205-0117. For information on this subscriber service, call (601) 576-4630.

    Traffic fines assessed by the Justice Court can be paid online at myfinepayment.com or by calling (877) 591-8768. Cash, cashier's checks, and money orders are accepted for in-person payments; credit card payments are available online only.

    Copiah County Civil Court Records

    Civil disputes in Copiah County are distributed across all three courts depending on the monetary amount at issue and the type of claim involved. The Copiah County Circuit Court handles larger civil matters — personal injury claims, breach of contract actions, and other disputes where the amount in controversy exceeds $200. The Copiah County Chancery Court resolves equity-based civil disputes, including land title disputes, contract matters with equitable remedies, and injunctions.

    For smaller civil claims, the Copiah County Justice Court is the appropriate venue. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-11-9, the Justice Court's civil jurisdiction is capped at $3,500, making it the venue of choice for straightforward small claims disputes such as unpaid debts, minor property damage, and landlord-tenant evictions. Civil hearings in Justice Court are scheduled twice per month on designated Wednesdays.

    Requesting Civil Court Records

    • Visit the clerk's office of the court where the case was filed
    • Provide the names of the parties or a case number to assist in retrieval
    • Standard copy fee: $0.50 per page (staff copies)
    • Certified copies require an additional certification fee

    Civil case records filed in Circuit Court can also be searched electronically through MEC/PAMEC for cases that have been electronically filed. Property-related civil records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and land surveys — are maintained by the Chancery Clerk's office at 122 South Lowe Street and may be inspected during regular business hours. Copies are $0.25 per page when made by the requester and $0.50 per page when made by staff.

    Copiah County Family Court Records

    Family law proceedings in Copiah County are heard exclusively in the Copiah County Chancery Court, which serves as Mississippi's court of equity. The Chancery Court handles all domestic and family matters, including divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support modification and enforcement, property division, adoption, alimony, and commitments of persons with mental disabilities or substance use disorders. Because Copiah County does not have a separate Family Court or County Court, the Chancery Court also hears youth court proceedings or appoints a Youth Court Referee to handle those cases.

    Chancery Court proceedings are generally heard before a Chancellor sitting without a jury. Juries are allowed only in paternity cases and will contests; advisory juries are available in any case but are rarely used.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce records in Copiah County are maintained by the Chancery Clerk. To request a copy, visit the Chancery Clerk's Office at 122 South Lowe Street or submit a written request by mail to P.O. Box 507, Hazlehurst, MS 39083, accompanied by payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include both parties' full names and the approximate date of the divorce decree to help staff locate the record.

    Marriage Licenses

    Marriage licenses are issued through the Circuit Clerk's Office. The filing fee is $37. Contact the Circuit Clerk at (601) 894-1241 for current requirements. Certified copies of existing marriage licenses can also be obtained from the Circuit Clerk; standard copy fees of $0.50 per page apply for regular copies.

    Vital Records — Birth and Death Certificates

    Birth and death records for Copiah County residents are maintained at the state level by the Mississippi Department of Health Vital Records Office. Birth records are confidential and restricted to the named individual, immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives. Death records remain confidential for 50 years from the date of creation, with access similarly limited during that period.

    Fees and ordering options for vital records are as follows:

    Record TypeFirst CopyEach Additional Copy (Same Order)
    Birth Certificate$17.00$6.00
    Death Certificate$17.00$6.00

    You can submit requests by mail, in person at the Vital Records Office in Ridgeland (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), or via phone or online through a private vendor for an additional fee. The Vital Records office phone is (601) 206-8200. Mail requests for a birth certificate require a completed Birth Certificate Application Form, a copy of valid photo ID, and payment by cashier's check or money order (cash not accepted) sent to:

    Mississippi Vital Records
    P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700

    A Death Record Application Form is required for death certificate requests submitted by mail, along with the same ID and payment requirements.

    Copiah County Probate Court Records

    Probate and estate administration matters in Copiah County fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court, with records maintained by the Chancery Clerk at 122 South Lowe Street, Hazlehurst, MS 39083 (Phone: (601) 894-3021). The Chancery Court oversees the full range of probate proceedings, including formal and informal estate administration, probate of wills with and without a Last Will and Testament, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, and conservatorships.

    What Probate Records Cover

    Probate filings in Copiah County include wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary and letters of administration, inventories and accountings of estate assets, guardianship appointments and annual reports, conservatorship orders, and final decrees of distribution. These documents are part of the official court record and are generally public, subject to the same access restrictions that apply to other Chancery Court records. Certain guardianship filings involving sensitive personal information may be restricted.

    How to Request Probate Records

    1. Identify the decedent's name and approximate date of death or estate filing date.
    2. Visit the Chancery Clerk's Office during regular business hours, or submit a written request by mail to P.O. Box 507, Hazlehurst, MS 39083.
    3. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for mailed requests.
    4. Pay applicable copy fees: $0.25 per page (self-service) or $0.50 per page (staff copies).
    5. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee — confirm the current amount with the Chancery Clerk at (601) 894-3021.

    Probate case records may also be searchable electronically through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system for matters filed electronically. For the Mississippi Supreme Court's broader public records policy and guidance on what court records are available for inspection statewide, the official Mississippi judiciary website at courts.ms.gov is the authoritative reference point for anyone navigating the system.