Leake County Court Records Search
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Leake County, Mississippi sits within the Eighth Circuit Court District and operates a multi-tiered court system serving residents of Carthage and the surrounding communities. Court records from these proceedings — whether from criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, or probate administration — document the legal history of individuals and entities throughout the county. Depending on the case type, those records are held by the Circuit Clerk, the Chancery Clerk, or one of the county's lower court offices, each covering a distinct area of jurisdiction.
If you're not sure where to start, MississippiCourts.us can help you identify the right court and understand your access options. Beyond that, Leake County records are available through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system, in-person visits to clerk offices in Carthage, and direct mail requests. Public access terminals at the courthouse are also available for anyone who prefers on-site research.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Leake County?
Leake County's court records are spread across several offices depending on the nature of the case. The Circuit Clerk handles criminal and civil Circuit Court records, while the Chancery Clerk maintains chancery proceedings covering family law, probate, property transactions, and equity matters. Lower-level cases flow through the Justice Court and municipal courts.
Online Search via PAMEC/MEC
The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system now covers all 82 Mississippi counties, including Leake County's Circuit Court, which went live on MEC on August 12, 2024. The public access component — the Public Access Mississippi Electronic Case Management (PAMEC) portal — lets registered users search docket information and view digital case documents remotely. Accessing PAMEC requires:
- Creating an account through the MEC registration portal
- Paying an annual registration fee of $10
- Paying a per-page document viewing fee of $0.20
Leake County Chancery Court records are also accessible through the Chancery Clerk's dedicated Leake County Official Records Portal, which provides internet access to the index of land records and certain court proceedings.
In-Person Access
The primary courthouse location for in-person record searches is:
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court (Circuit Clerk) | 101 Court Sq, Suite 115, Carthage, MS 39051 | (601) 267-8357 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Chancery Court (Chancery Clerk) | 101 Court Square, Carthage, MS 39051 | (601) 267-7371 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Justice Court | P.O. Box 69, Carthage, MS 39051 | (601) 267-5677 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
Bring a government-issued photo ID when visiting the Circuit Clerk's office, and have the case number or party names ready if you know them. Circuit Clerk Viktorea Pace serves as the official custodian of all Circuit and County Court filings.
Mail Requests
Written requests may be mailed to either clerk's office. Include the full names of the parties, the approximate filing date or year, and the type of record you're seeking. Copy fees apply — confirm the current amounts with the relevant clerk before sending payment.
Municipal and Lower Courts
For cases handled at the municipal level, contact the relevant court directly:
- Carthage Municipal Court — 302 W. Main St., Carthage, MS 39051 | Phone: (601) 267-5957 | Fax: (601) 267-8969
- Lena Municipal Court — P.O. Box 108, Lena, MS 39094 | Phone: (601) 654-3332
- Walnut Grove Municipal Court — 139 Main St., P.O. Box 236, Walnut Grove, MS 39189 | Phone: (601) 253-9498 | Fax: (601) 253-2385
Are Court Records Public in Leake County?
Mississippi's baseline public records framework comes from the Mississippi Public Records Act, Miss. Code Ann. §§ 25-61-1 et seq., which broadly classifies government records as open to public inspection. However, the judiciary operates under a parallel framework. Judicial records access is specifically governed by the Mississippi Supreme Court's Statement of Policy Regarding Openness and Availability of Public Records, which applies to all trial and appellate courts in the state.
Under this policy, court records are presumptively open to the public — but certain categories are carved out from public inspection. In Leake County, the following types of records are treated as confidential or restricted:
- Juvenile records — sealed by statute and accessible only by court order or authorized parties
- Adoption proceedings — non-public and require a court order to unseal
- Grand jury records — protected from disclosure
- Mental health and commitment records — restricted under separate statutory provisions
- Expunged case files — removed from public access once expungement is granted
- Sealed case files — restricted by individual court order
- Records containing personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account details, and victim identities are subject to redaction under court rules
For records that are open to the public, any person may inspect or obtain copies during regular court hours. Certified copies carry fees set by the clerk's office — confirm current copy fees directly with the relevant clerk before submitting a request.
Leake County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases originating in Leake County — including felony prosecutions and serious misdemeanor charges — fall under the jurisdiction of the Leake County Circuit Court, part of the Eighth Circuit Court District, which serves Leake, Neshoba, Newton, and Scott counties. Lower-level misdemeanors and traffic matters are typically handled by the Justice Court or municipal courts.
Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Circuit Clerk at 101 Court Square, Suite 115, Carthage maintains all criminal case filings, including indictments, motions, judgments, sentencing orders, and related pleadings. You can search records through the PAMEC portal or visit the clerk's office in person. The MEC Go Live date for Leake County Circuit Court was August 12, 2024, meaning cases filed from that date forward are electronically accessible through the MEC system.
Arrest Records and Sheriff's Office
The Leake County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for arrest and booking records in the county.
Leake County Sheriff's Office
Address: 316 C.O. Brooks Street, Carthage, MS 39051
Phone: (601) 267-7361
Fax: (601) 267-4658
Website: leakecountyms.org/sheriff
Arrest records, jail rosters, and incident reports may be requested directly from the Sheriff's Office. For inmate status inquiries, the Leake County Correctional Facility is located at 399 C.O. Brooks Street, Carthage, MS 39051, and can be reached at (601) 298-9003.
Criminal History Background Checks
For a formal criminal history search, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) administers name-based background checks through its online background check system. Fingerprint-based searches are also available through the DPS Criminal Information Center for a more comprehensive review of statewide criminal history.
Expungement of Criminal Records
Under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-71, Mississippi allows expungement of qualifying misdemeanor convictions and, under certain circumstances, specific felony convictions after a mandatory waiting period. As of July 1, 2019, certain felony convictions may be expunged 20 years after successful completion of all sentence terms. Petitions for expungement are filed in the Circuit Court where the conviction occurred, and the filing fee under Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-72 is $150. Once granted, expunged records are removed from public access. The Mississippi Access to Justice Commission offers eligibility guidance at msatjc.org.
Leake County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Leake County is divided between the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court based on the nature of the claim. The Circuit Court handles tort actions, personal injury suits, breach of contract claims, and debt collection matters. The Chancery Court covers equity claims, property disputes, boundary actions, quiet title suits, and administrative appeals. Small claims and minor civil disputes may be filed in Justice Court.
Circuit Court Civil Records
The Circuit Clerk receives and files all civil complaints, motions, summonses, and judgments at the circuit level. Filing fees for civil complaints in Mississippi Circuit Court are set under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13, which establishes a fee schedule for docketing and filing petitions, issuing process, and recording judgments. Confirm current fees directly with the Circuit Clerk at (601) 267-8357 before filing.
Justice Court Small Claims
Minor civil disputes below the jurisdictional threshold can be filed with the Leake County Justice Court at P.O. Box 69, Carthage, MS 39051, Phone: (601) 267-5677 Small claims filing fees in Mississippi Justice Courts generally fall in the $84–$100 range, depending on the number of defendants served.
Property Records
Real property records — including deeds, mortgages, construction liens, federal tax liens, and Lis Pendens notices — are recorded and maintained by the Leake County Chancery Clerk. Two online tools are available for remote property record research:
- The Leake County Official Records Portal — provides searchable access to the land records index maintained by the Chancery Clerk
- The Delta Computer Systems property search — allows searches by owner name, parcel number, or address for tax and ownership information
Current tax assessor information, tax maps, homestead exemptions, and property assessment data are available through the Leake County Tax Assessor/Collector's Office.
Leake County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Leake County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence orders, and adoption — fall exclusively under Chancery Court jurisdiction. The Chancery Clerk at 101 Court Square, Carthage maintains all related case files.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and associated case documents are public records in Leake County. To locate a divorce record, contact the Chancery Clerk directly:
Leake County Chancery Clerk
Address: 101 Court Square, Carthage, MS 39051
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 72, Carthage, MS 39051
Phone: (601) 267-7371
Fax: (601) 267-6137
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce filing to help the clerk locate the file. Copies can also be requested by mail.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are restricted documents under Mississippi's Rules Governing the Registration and Certification of Vital Events. Certified copies are issued only to individuals with a legitimate and tangible interest — typically the named parties, their immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records division maintains marriage records from January 1, 1926, through June 30, 1938, and from January 1, 1942, to the present.
To order a certified marriage certificate by mail, download and complete the marriage certificate application form, then mail it with a copy of your valid photo ID and a check or money order payable to Mississippi Vital Records to:
Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Phone: (601) 206-8200
The fee is $17.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Walk-in service is available at 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Online ordering is available through VitalChek with an added convenience fee. Marriage records for Leake County events not on file with the state may be held by the Circuit Clerk.
Birth and Death Records
Both birth and death records are restricted vital records issued only to qualifying individuals. The MSDH Vital Records division has maintained Mississippi birth and death records since November 1912. Certified copies cost $17.00 for the first copy and $6.00 per additional copy ordered simultaneously. The birth certificate application form and the death certificate application form are available on the MSDH website and must be submitted with acceptable photo identification and the applicable fee to the Mississippi Vital Records office.
Adoption Records
Adoption proceedings are sealed by law and are not available to the public. Access to adoption records requires a court order from the Chancery Court. If you need guidance on the process, contact the Chancery Clerk directly.
Leake County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Leake County rests with the Chancery Court, and the Chancery Clerk is the official custodian of all related case files. The Chancery Court handles the full range of probate and succession matters, including:
- Administration of testate and intestate estates
- Probate of wills and issuance of letters testamentary
- Appointment and oversight of administrators for intestate estates
- Guardianships of minor children and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships
- Trusts
- Adoptions (confidential proceedings)
How to Open a Probate Matter
To initiate probate in Leake County, file a petition in the Chancery Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled at the time of death. For testate estates, the original will must accompany the petition. The Chancery Clerk's office can provide procedural guidance and the forms needed to open an estate or guardianship matter.
Accessing Existing Probate Records
Most probate records are public documents and can be reviewed in person at the Chancery Clerk's office or requested by mail. The Chancery Clerk's land and records portal provides online access to indexed documents, though older probate files that predate electronic imaging may require an in-person visit. To request copies, contact:
Leake County Chancery Clerk's Office
101 Court Square, Carthage, MS 39051
Mailing: P.O. Box 72, Carthage, MS 39051
Phone: (601) 267-7371 | Fax: (601) 267-6137
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
When requesting probate records, provide the full name of the deceased or ward, the approximate year of filing, and the case number if available. The Chancery Clerk's office will confirm whether the records can be provided electronically, as printed copies, or through the PAMEC portal for more recently filed matters.