Prentiss County Court Records Search
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Prentiss County sits in northeastern Mississippi, with Booneville as the county seat. The county's court system covers several levels — from the Circuit Court, which handles the most serious criminal and civil matters, down to the Justice Court, where everyday disputes and traffic violations get resolved. Every formal step in a legal proceeding generates a record: initial filings, indictments, hearings, motions, orders, and final judgments. Two elected officials divide responsibility for keeping those records. The Circuit Clerk manages criminal and civil case files from the Circuit Court, while the Chancery Clerk oversees family law, probate, and equity matters from the Chancery Court.
You can access Prentiss County court records through the clerk offices in Booneville, public-access terminals at the courthouse, or select online tools. MississippiCourts.us offers general information about the state court system, including links to the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) portal — a subscriber-based platform that provides online access to court dockets and case documents from participating courts. For most people, visiting the relevant clerk's office in Booneville remains the most direct and reliable option.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Prentiss County?
Start by identifying which court handled the case, because records are split between two separate clerks and multiple court divisions. Sending a request to the wrong office will just slow you down.
Identify the Correct Clerk and Court
| Court | Clerk | Case Types |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court (1st Circuit) | Circuit Clerk | Felonies, civil cases over $200,000, jury trials |
| Chancery District Court (1st Chancery District) | Chancery Clerk | Divorce, child custody, property disputes over $50,000, probate, guardianship, adoptions |
| Justice Court | Justice Court Clerk | Misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil claims up to $3,500 |
| Youth Court | Chancery Clerk | Juvenile delinquency, children in need of supervision, abuse/neglect |
Online Search — Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC)
The MEC portal is Mississippi's official electronic case management and document access system. Access requires a subscription and registration through the PAMEC online registration system. Once registered, you can search docket information, view filed documents, and download case records from participating courts. If you run into technical trouble, contact the MEC Helpdesk at helpdesk@mec.ms.gov or (601) 576-4650.
In-Person and Direct Requests
All three clerk offices accept records requests in person, by mail, by phone, by email, and by fax. Here's who to contact for each court:
Prentiss County Circuit Clerk — Mike Kelley
Address: 101A North Main Street, P.O. Box 727, Booneville, MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-4611 | Fax: (662) 728-2006
Email: mkelley@co.prentiss.ms.us
Prentiss County Chancery Clerk — David "Bubba" Pounds
Address: 100 North Main Street, P.O. Box 477, Booneville, MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151 | Fax: (662) 728-2007
Email: bubba@co.prentiss.ms.us
Justice Court Clerk — Lisa Stennett
Address: 1901C East Chambers Drive, Booneville, MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8696 | Fax: (662) 728-2009
Email: pcjclerk@co.prentiss.ms.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Property Records Online
The Chancery Clerk's Office makes land records available through the county's Official Land Records portal, where you can search deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments by party name, document type, or recording date and purchase copies directly online.
Are Court Records Public in Prentiss County?
Mississippi's Mississippi Public Records Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 et seq., establishes the right of public access to government records. Under that law, most court records must be made available for inspection and copying upon request — and you don't have to explain why you want them.
That said, several categories are exempt from routine public disclosure. Under § 25-61-11, records that are confidential, privileged, or protected under constitutional, federal, or state law are not available to the general public.
Records Restricted from Public Disclosure
- Sealed or expunged court records, including expunged criminal records
- Juvenile and youth court records, including all delinquency proceedings
- Child custody case records (classified as part of the juvenile record system)
- Records of mental health commitment proceedings
- Medical records of litigants or defendants
- Victim identifying information in certain criminal cases under § 25-61-12(2)(d)
- Grand jury proceedings and deliberation records
- Juror questionnaires, personal information, and selection lists
- Adoption records
- Trade secrets protected under § 25-61-9
- Attorney work product and privileged attorney-client communications
When a publicly accessible file contains restricted information — a Social Security number embedded in a court filing, for example — the custodian may redact that portion before releasing the rest. Confidential records are only released with proper court authorization or to parties with a recognized legal right to access them.
Prentiss County Criminal Court Records
Felony cases in Prentiss County are prosecuted in the Prentiss County Circuit Court, which sits as part of Mississippi's 1st Circuit Court District. The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all serious criminal matters and typically conducts jury trials. Misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations are handled by the Justice Court.
Circuit Court — Criminal Jurisdiction
- Felony charges (all classes)
- Criminal appeals from the Justice Court
- Grand jury proceedings (records of which are sealed)
The judges currently presiding over Prentiss County Circuit Court cases include Hon. Paul S. Funderburk (Senior Circuit Judge), Hon. John R. White, Hon. Kelly L. Mims, and Hon. Michael P. Mills, Jr.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case docket information on the MEC portal includes case filings, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions for Circuit Court matters. If you need physical copies of criminal case documents, submit your request to the Circuit Clerk's office at 101A North Main Street, Booneville. Searching and copy fees may apply.
Arrest Records and Criminal History
Arrest records are generated and held by law enforcement agencies — including the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office — not the courts. If you need a statewide criminal history background check, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) processes name-based requests for $30.00 per report. You can submit requests online through the DPS website.
Justice Court — Criminal Matters
Misdemeanor cases and all traffic offense matters go through the Prentiss County Justice Court. The Justice Court Clerk's office keeps separate criminal and traffic dockets, each with a dedicated deputy clerk:
- Criminal matters: pcjcriminal@co.prentiss.ms.us
- Traffic matters: pcjtraffic@co.prentiss.ms.us
Justice Court fines can be paid in cash, by credit/debit card, or by certified funds at the court's office at 1901C East Chambers Drive.
Prentiss County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Prentiss County is spread across three courts, with the appropriate venue determined by the dollar amount at stake and the nature of the claim.
Jurisdictional Overview
| Court | Civil Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court | Civil cases over $200,000; tort claims; civil jury trials |
| Chancery District Court | Property disputes over $50,000; land title issues; equity matters |
| Justice Court | Small claims and civil matters up to $3,500 |
Circuit Court Civil Records
Circuit Clerk Mike Kelley maintains all civil case records filed in the Circuit Court — civil plenary cases, tort filings, mortgage foreclosures exceeding the Chancery Court threshold, and civil jury trial records. Submit copy requests to the Circuit Clerk's office in person, by mail, by phone, or by fax.
Chancery Court Civil Records
The Chancery Court handles equity matters, including property title disputes, land contract issues, and property disputes exceeding $50,000. Chancery Clerk David "Bubba" Pounds maintains these records. The Chancery Clerk's office has published a Land Record Filing Fees schedule and a Chancery Court Filing Fees document, both available on the county's website. A Recording Fee Calculator is also available for those recording land documents. Anyone submitting recorded instruments should review the New Document Formatting Standards published by the Chancery Clerk's office before filing.
Justice Court Small Claims
The Justice Court handles civil claims up to $3,500, covering small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and other minor civil matters. Reach the civil division at pcjcivil@co.prentiss.ms.us. Contested hearing dates are scheduled bi-weekly throughout the year; the Justice Court Clerk's office maintains the court calendar.
Prentiss County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Prentiss County — divorce, child custody and support, property division, alimony, adoption, and commitments of mentally disabled individuals — are all heard in the Prentiss County Chancery District Court. The Chancery Clerk is the official record keeper for everything filed in those proceedings.
Divorce Records
All divorce and dissolution filings go through the Chancery Court. The case files kept by the Chancery Clerk include petitions, financial disclosures, custody agreements, and final decrees. You can request copies in person, by mail, by email, or by fax. Filing and copy fees are listed in the published Chancery Court Filing Fees document.
Child Custody Records
Child custody cases are decided in the Chancery Court, with records kept by the Chancery Clerk. These records are treated as confidential under Mississippi law and are not available as general public records. Access is limited to the parties involved, their legal representatives, and authorized agencies.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Prentiss County Circuit Clerk, who keeps records of all marriages performed in the county alongside civil and criminal case files. You can request copies from the Circuit Clerk's office in person, by mail, or by email.
If you need a certified copy through the state, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records office issues certified marriage certificates for $17.00 for the first copy, with additional copies of the same record available for $6.00 each when ordered at the same time. Requests require a completed marriage record application form submitted by mail to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700.
Birth and Death Records
Birth certificates in Mississippi are not public records under Miss. Code Ann. § 41-57-2. Only the individual named on the record, immediate family members, and those with a demonstrated legitimate interest may request certified copies. Death certificates carry similar confidentiality restrictions for 50 years from the date of death, after which they become publicly accessible for genealogical and historical research.
Both birth and death records for Prentiss County residents are held by the MSDH Vital Records office. The fee is $17.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. In-person requests are accepted at the MSDH Vital Records office at 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Mail requests go to Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700. The required birth certificate application form and death certificate application form are available on the MSDH website. Records can also be ordered online or by phone at (601) 206-8200 through the MSDH's authorized vendor.
Prentiss County Probate Court Records
Probate in Mississippi is a Chancery Court function — there is no separate probate court. All estate, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings in Prentiss County go through the Chancery District Court, and the Chancery Clerk keeps the official records for all of them.
Matters Handled Through Prentiss County Probate
- Administration of testate estates (decedent left a valid will)
- Administration of intestate estates (decedent died without a will)
- Appointment and oversight of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorship proceedings for adults unable to manage their affairs
- Will contests and challenges to the validity of a testamentary instrument
- Insurance settlements involving minors
- Emancipation proceedings
The judges presiding over the Prentiss County Chancery District Court — and thus all probate matters — include Hon. Jacqueline Mask, Hon. Michael Malski, Hon. Stephen T. Bailey, and Hon. Bradley D. Tennison.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case records are generally public and can be requested from the Chancery Clerk's office. The MEC portal also provides subscriber-based online access to Chancery Court case information where available. For specific documents — letters testamentary, inventories, wills admitted to probate, and distribution orders — submit a written or in-person request to the Chancery Clerk. Copy and filing fees are listed in the published Chancery Court Filing Fees schedule.
One important note: death certificates filed as part of a probate proceeding carry their own confidentiality restrictions as vital records. Even when the broader estate file is publicly accessible, the death certificate within it may require separate handling.
Prentiss County Chancery Clerk — Probate Inquiries
Address: 100 North Main Street, P.O. Box 477, Booneville, MS 38829
Phone: (662) 728-8151 | Fax: (662) 728-2007
Email: bubba@co.prentiss.ms.us
The Chancery Clerk's office also serves as a Passport Acceptance Agent. For passport information, visit travel.state.gov.