Court records in Hinds County, Mississippi can be found through several channels. HindsCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through official court resources, the Hinds County Circuit Clerk's office, the Chancery Clerk's office, and public terminals located at the courthouse. Online tools and in-person visits each offer different levels of detail, so the approach you choose may depend on the type of record you need.
Hinds Court System & Jurisdictions
Hinds County is home to several courts, each handling distinct case types. Knowing which court holds the records you need will save time.
- Circuit Court — Handles felony criminal cases, civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds the jurisdictional limit of county or justice courts, and appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Clerk maintains these records.
- Chancery Court — Covers equity matters including divorces, child custody, adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, estates and probate, land disputes, and will contests. The Chancery Clerk is the custodian of these records. Chancery Court also handles mental commitments and certain juvenile matters.
- County Court — Hears misdemeanor criminal cases, civil actions within its monetary jurisdiction, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. County Court also handles eminent domain proceedings.
- Justice Court — Manages small claims (civil cases up to $3,500), misdemeanors, initial appearances, and warrant issuance. Hinds County has two judicial districts for Justice Court.
- Municipal Court — The City of Jackson operates a municipal court that handles traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanors occurring within city limits.
- Youth Court — Adjudicates matters involving minors, including delinquency, abuse, neglect, and dependency cases. Youth Court records are generally confidential under Mississippi law.
Hinds County is split between two judicial districts — the First Judicial District (Raymond) and the Second Judicial District (Jackson) — so records may be filed at either courthouse depending on where the case originated.
Hinds Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars in Hinds County are typically managed by each individual court and judge's office. To find today's or upcoming hearing schedules:
- Contact the Circuit Clerk or Chancery Clerk directly. Each clerk's office can provide docket call schedules and upcoming hearing dates for their respective courts.
- Check posted dockets at the courthouse. Both the Raymond and Jackson courthouses post daily and weekly calendars near courtroom entrances and on bulletin boards.
- Call the judge's office. Individual judges' chambers often maintain their own trial calendars. The clerk's office can direct you to the correct division.
Mississippi does not operate a single statewide online court calendar portal. Some scheduling information may be available through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system for courts that participate, but availability varies. For criminal matters, the Mississippi Criminal Information Center maintains statewide criminal history records but does not publish court calendars. If you need to confirm a specific hearing date or time, calling the clerk's office is the most reliable method.
Key Clerk Contact Points
Hinds County Circuit Clerk — Jackson
Hinds County Circuit Clerk — Raymond
How to Get a Copy of a Hinds Court Document
The process for obtaining court documents depends on the court that handled the case and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Certified copies bear the clerk's seal and signature, confirming the document is a true copy of the court record. These are typically required for legal proceedings, background checks, and official filings.
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions without the clerk's authentication. They are generally sufficient for personal reference.
How to Request
- In person — Visit the appropriate clerk's office (Circuit Clerk for criminal and civil cases; Chancery Clerk for equity, probate, divorce, and land records). Bring the case number or the full names of the parties and approximate filing date.
- By mail — Send a written request to the appropriate clerk's office. Include the case number or party names, the specific document needed, whether you need a certified or uncertified copy, a return address, and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
- Online — Some Hinds County records may be searchable through the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system. Not all case types or documents are available online.
For divorce records, the Mississippi State Department of Health maintains a statewide index but does not hold the actual divorce decrees — those are filed with the Chancery Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Related vital records forms are available through the state health department.
Mail requests for Circuit Court records can be sent to:
For incarceration records or to locate someone in state custody, the Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate search tool allows searches by name or MDOC ID number.
Hinds Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record searches and copies in Mississippi are established by statute (Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-13 and related provisions). The following table reflects standard fees charged by Mississippi circuit and chancery clerks. Actual fees may vary slightly — confirm current amounts with the clerk's office before submitting payment.
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Record search (per name/case) | $10.00–$15.00 |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50–$1.00 |
| Certified copy (first page) | $3.00–$5.00 |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | $0.50–$1.00 |
| Certification/seal fee | $3.00–$5.00 |
| Filing a civil complaint (Circuit Court) | Varies by case type |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, or money order are generally accepted. Some clerk's offices accept credit or debit cards; ask in advance whether a processing surcharge applies.
- By mail: Check or money order made payable to the Hinds County Circuit Clerk or Hinds County Chancery Clerk, as appropriate.
Fees are subject to change. For the most current schedule, contact the clerk's office directly or check for posted fee schedules at the courthouse. Some records — particularly those involving juveniles, adoptions, or sealed cases — may not be available to the general public regardless of payment, as Mississippi law restricts access to certain case types.