Scott County Court Records Search

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    Scott County, Mississippi, centered on the city of Forest, maintains a court system that handles a wide range of legal matters — from felony criminal prosecutions to equity proceedings, estate administration, and local ordinance violations. Records from these courts document the full course of each case, including pleadings, judgments, orders, liens, and bench warrants. They form the official account of legal proceedings and give the public documented evidence of court activity throughout the county.

    You can search for court records in Mississippi through several channels — clerk offices, courthouse terminals, the state judiciary website, and the state's online case management system. MississippiCourts.us may be useful for locating publicly available court case information across the state. The sections below explain where specific record types are maintained in Scott County, how to request them, and which records carry access restrictions.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Scott County?

    Scott County operates five distinct court types, each maintaining its own records. The right starting point depends on the nature of the case.

    CourtJurisdictionLocation
    Circuit CourtFelony criminal, civil over $200100 East 1st St., Forest
    Chancery CourtEquity, probate, domestic, property100 East 1st St., Forest
    Youth CourtJuvenile matters100 East 1st St., Forest
    Justice CourtMisdemeanors, civil under $3,500Forest
    Municipal CourtsCity ordinance violationsVarious cities

    Scott County Circuit Court
    Address: 100 East 1st Street, P.O. Box 371, Forest, MS 39074
    Phone: (601) 469-3601 | Fax: (601) 469-5188
    Email: scottcircuitclerk@scottcountyms.gov
    Circuit Clerk: Rebecca "Becky" Gray

    Scott County Chancery Court
    Address: 100 East 1st Street, P.O. Box 630, Forest, MS 39074
    Phone: (601) 469-1922 | Fax: (601) 469-5180
    Email: tmiles@scottcountyms.gov
    Chancery Clerk: Tom Miles

    Scott County Justice Court
    Address: P.O. Box 371, Forest, MS 39074
    Phone: (601) 469-4555 | Fax: (601) 469-5193

    Municipal Courts in Scott County:

    • Forest Municipal Court: 850 Park Road, Forest, MS 39074 | Phone: (601) 469-4141 | Fax: (601) 469-0893
    • Morton Municipal Court: 97 West 1st Avenue, P.O. Box 555, Morton, MS 39117 | Phone: (601) 732-8609 | Fax: (601) 732-7188
    • Lake Municipal Court: P.O. Box 39, Lake, MS 39092 | Phone: (601) 775-3552 | Fax: (601) 775-3546
    • Sebastopol Municipal Court: P.O. Box 112, Sebastopol, MS 39359 | Phone: (601) 625-7200 | Fax: (601) 625-8538

    Online Case Search — Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC)

    The Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system is the primary online platform for accessing civil and criminal court records statewide, including Scott County. MEC is a subscriber-based system that requires you to register for an account before conducting searches. For MEC support, contact the helpdesk at helpdesk@mec.ms.gov or call (601) 576-4650. The Mississippi Judiciary website also provides access to supreme court dockets, opinions, and appellate records.

    Are Court Records Public in Scott County?

    Under the Mississippi Public Records Act (MPRA), codified at § 25-61-1 of the Mississippi Code, court records in Scott County are presumptively public. Any person — regardless of residency — may inspect, copy, or obtain copies of public records upon request, and you are not required to state a reason for seeking them.

    That said, § 25-61-11 of the MPRA identifies certain records exempt from disclosure. In Scott County courts, records that may be withheld or restricted include:

    • Attorney work product related to litigation involving the Mississippi Department of Corrections
    • Victim information in criminal proceedings
    • Records declared confidential by state or federal statute, Mississippi court decision, or U.S. court decision
    • Parole and probation field officer records
    • Juvenile and Youth Court records (generally sealed)
    • Adoption records
    • Records sealed by specific court order

    When a record contains both public and exempt material, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Any denial of a records request must be accompanied by a specific legal justification identifying the applicable exemption.

    Scott County Criminal Court Records

    Felony criminal cases — including indictments, arraignments, plea agreements, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders — are handled by the Scott County Circuit Court. The Scott County Circuit Clerk is the official custodian of all Circuit Court criminal filings and judgments.

    Searching Criminal Records

    Criminal case records can be searched online through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system after registering for an account. In-person access is available at the Circuit Clerk's Office, 100 East 1st Street, Forest, MS 39074, during regular business hours. Staff can be reached by phone at (601) 469-3601 or by email at scottcircuitclerk@scottcountyms.gov.

    Arrest Records and Inmate Information

    The Scott County Sheriff's Department maintains records on local arrests and current jail inmates and publishes a publicly accessible inmate roster on its website, which you can search to find individuals currently held at the Scott County Jail in Forest. The facility holds up to 323 detainees and is operated by the Sheriff's Office.

    For broader inmate information — including individuals transferred to state custody — the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) accepts public records requests from the general public through its dedicated public inquiry process.

    Criminal History Restrictions

    Mississippi law restricts the release of full criminal history records to third parties other than the record subject. While arrest records and current inmate information are generally accessible, obtaining complete background check information requires going through official channels, including the MDOC or the MEC system.

    Scott County Civil Court Records

    Civil jurisdiction in Scott County is divided between the Circuit Court and the Chancery Court. The Circuit Court handles larger civil disputes, while the Chancery Court handles matters of equity — including property disputes, contract enforcement, and injunctions. The Justice Court handles small civil claims, generally those under $3,500.

    Accessing Civil Records

    Civil case records are searchable through the MEC system after registration. For in-person access or certified copies, visit the appropriate clerk's office:

    • Circuit Court civil records: Circuit Clerk's Office, 100 East 1st Street, Forest | Phone: (601) 469-3601
    • Chancery Court civil records: Chancery Clerk's Office, 100 East 1st Street, Forest | Phone: (601) 469-1922

    The Chancery Clerk also records Lis Pendens notices (pending lawsuits affecting real property), federal tax liens, and Uniform Commercial Code filings that are frequently relevant to civil disputes. E-Recording of land-related documents is available through Simplifile or CSC eRecording, allowing attorneys and authorized parties to submit documents remotely.

    Court Forms

    Standard court forms for Scott County civil matters are available through the Scott County government forms page.

    Scott County Family Court Records

    Family law proceedings in Scott County — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and guardianship — fall under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Court. The Scott County Chancery Clerk maintains all records from these proceedings.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce decrees are filed with and maintained by the Chancery Court. If you're named in the record or are a legal representative, you can obtain copies by visiting the Chancery Clerk's Office at 100 East 1st Street, Forest, MS 39074, during business hours, or by contacting the office at (601) 469-1922 or tmiles@scottcountyms.gov. Divorce case information may also be searched through the MEC system after registration.

    Marriage Records

    The Circuit Clerk's Office issues and maintains marriage licenses and marriage records for Scott County. Certified copies of marriage records are available from two sources:

    • Circuit Clerk's Office — Contact Rebecca "Becky" Gray at (601) 469-3601 or scottcircuitclerk@scottcountyms.gov for copies held at the county level.
    • Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records — Marriage records can be ordered online, by phone, or by mail through MSDH. The fee is $17 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Access is restricted to the record subjects, immediate family members, and legal representatives.

    Birth Records

    The MSDH Bureau of Vital Records maintains Mississippi birth records from November 1912 to the present. Birth certificates are confidential and available only to the registrant, their parents, legal guardians, siblings, or legal representatives. The fee is $17 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Requests can be made online, by phone, in person at MSDH offices, or by mail using the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate. For mail submissions, include payment and a copy of your identification.

    Death Records

    Death records from November 1912 forward are available through the MSDH Vital Records office. Certified copies cost $17 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Eligible applicants may submit the Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate by mail, in person, online, or by phone. The process mirrors that used for birth certificates — include payment and a copy of your identification with all mail submissions.

    Scott County Probate Court Records

    Probate and estate matters in Scott County are adjudicated by the Chancery Court, and the Scott County Chancery Clerk is the official records custodian for all probate filings. The Clerk's office handles the full range of probate-related proceedings.

    What Probate Records Include

    Chancery Court probate files in Scott County typically contain:

    • Wills submitted for probate and letters testamentary
    • Petitions to open and administer decedents' estates
    • Inventories and appraisals of estate assets
    • Guardian and conservatorship appointments and accountings
    • Adoption case files (generally sealed and not publicly accessible)
    • Final settlement orders and distributions

    How to Request Probate Records

    • In person: Visit the Scott County Chancery Clerk's Office at 100 East 1st Street, Forest, MS 39074, during regular business hours. Bring any available identifying information — the decedent's name, approximate date of death, or case number — to help the clerk locate the file.
    • By email: Send a written request to tmiles@scottcountyms.gov with the required case details.
    • By phone: Call (601) 469-1922 to ask about record availability and copy fees before visiting.
    • Online: Registered users can search the MEC system for Chancery Court case information, though full document access may require a formal in-person or written request.

    Adoption records filed with the Chancery Court are sealed by law and are not accessible to the general public. All other probate records are treated as public documents under the Mississippi Public Records Act unless sealed by specific court order.