DeSoto County court records are public files that show what happens in court cases filed in this Mississippi county. These records cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, divorces, custody battles, probate matters, and traffic tickets.
People search these records to check backgrounds, look into legal history, gather proof for cases, or look up details about a specific case. The county seat is Hernando. DeSoto County sits in the northwest corner of Mississippi next to Memphis, Tennessee. The 17th Judicial District covers this county for state trial court purposes.
Two main offices hold court records for DeSoto County. The Circuit Clerk keeps files for Circuit Court cases. The Chancery Clerk keeps files for Chancery Court cases plus land records and marriage licenses. Both offices let people look at records in person. Both offices let people request copies by mail. Mississippi runs a statewide online system called Mississippi Electronic Courts that covers many of these records too.
This page covers how to locate court records in DeSoto County, Mississippi. It lists the different court types, the records each court keeps, and the ways you can search them. It covers fees, public access rules, and contact details for the offices that hold these files.
How Mississippi Court Records Work
Mississippi runs a unified court system that all 82 counties follow. The state Supreme Court sits at the top. Below that comes the Court of Appeals. Then come the trial courts. Trial courts include Circuit Court, Chancery Court, County Court, Justice Court, and Municipal Court. Each court type handles different kinds of cases. Each court type keeps its own set of files.
Most court records in Mississippi are open to the public. The Mississippi Public Records Act lets anyone look at court files. Some records stay sealed. Juvenile cases, mental health cases, and adoption records are examples of sealed files. The state protects certain personal data. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and dates of birth get redacted from public files before records go online or get shared with requesters.
Mississippi uses a statewide electronic system to manage court records. The system is called Mississippi Electronic Courts or MEC. It runs through the Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts. People can search this system for cases filed in participating counties. DeSoto County uses this system for many of its court records. The system went live across the state in stages, with most counties joining between 2015 and 2024.
DeSoto County Court System Structure
DeSoto County sits within a single-county judicial district. The 17th Circuit Court District covers only DeSoto County. This setup is common in larger Mississippi counties. Smaller counties often share a circuit district with neighbors. The Circuit Court judge handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $50,000, and appeals from lower courts in the county.
The Chancery Court in DeSoto County handles different matters. This court deals with divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, wills, estates, guardianships, and land title disputes. Chancery Court also handles some juvenile matters. The Chancery Court is sometimes called the equity court because it can issue orders based on fairness, not just strict law.
DeSoto County does not have a separate County Court. Justice Court handles small civil cases and misdemeanor criminal cases in the county. Justice Court also handles traffic tickets and small claims up to $3,500. Municipal Courts operate in cities like Southaven, Olive Branch, and Horn Lake. These courts handle city ordinance violations, traffic tickets written within city limits, and minor misdemeanor cases.
DeSoto County Circuit Court Records
Circuit Court records in DeSoto County include felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $50,000, and appeals from Justice Court or Municipal Court. The Circuit Clerk maintains all these files. The Circuit Clerk office sits in the DeSoto County Courthouse in Hernando. Felony records show charges, plea deals, trial outcomes, and sentences. Civil records show lawsuits between private parties or businesses.
People search Circuit Court records for many reasons. Attorneys search them to check opposing parties. Employers search them for background checks. Journalists search them for reporting. Family members search them to learn about relatives’ cases. Anyone with a name and date of birth can start a search. The Circuit Clerk office staff can help locate specific case files if the searcher has the case number or full party names.
DeSoto County Chancery Court Records
Chancery Court records in DeSoto County include divorce cases, child custody cases, child support cases, adoption files, probate cases, guardianship cases, and land title disputes. The Chancery Clerk maintains all these files. The Chancery Clerk office sits in the DeSoto County Courthouse in Hernando, on a separate floor from the Circuit Clerk office. Both clerks share the same building.
Probate records cover wills, estate administration, and inheritance disputes. These files often hold the most sensitive personal data. The state requires redaction of financial account numbers and Social Security numbers from these records before public release. Adoption records stay sealed by Mississippi law. Only the adopted adult, birth parents under specific conditions, or court order can unseal an adoption file.
Other Court Records in DeSoto County
Justice Court records in DeSoto County cover misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and small claims cases. The Justice Court Clerk maintains these files. The Justice Court sits in the DeSoto County Courthouse. Small claims cases involve disputes up to $3,500. Misdemeanor criminal cases include simple assault, minor theft, and DUI first offenses. Traffic tickets include speeding, running red lights, and other moving violations.
Municipal Court records cover city-level violations. Southaven, Olive Branch, Horn Lake, and Hernando each run their own Municipal Court. These courts handle traffic tickets written by city police, city ordinance violations, and minor criminal matters. Each city clerk maintains Municipal Court records. The records are not part of the county system. Searchers must contact each city clerk office directly.
Youth Court records in DeSoto County cover juvenile delinquency cases, child abuse and neglect cases, and truancy matters. These records stay confidential under Mississippi law. Only the juvenile, parents, attorneys, and certain state agencies can view these files. The public cannot search Youth Court records. Sealed juvenile records can be expunged in some cases when the juvenile turns 18.
Searching DeSoto County Court Records Online
The main online tool for DeSoto County court records is the Mississippi Electronic Courts system. The system runs at the state Administrative Office of Courts website. The site address is mscourts.gov. Users can click the case search link to access the public portal. The portal covers Circuit Court, Chancery Court, and Justice Court records from participating counties.
To search the system, users enter a party name, case number, or attorney bar number. The search returns matching cases with basic details. These details include case number, filing date, case type, party names, judge name, and current status. Users can view document images for many records through the portal. Some older records may not have images online. Users need to create a free account to view certain document types.
For records not in the state system, the DeSoto County Chancery Clerk website offers separate search tools. Land records, marriage records, and some older Chancery Court files appear in the county system. The county system address is desotocountyms.gov. Users can search by name, document type, or recording date. Print and certified copies cost fees set by Mississippi law.
Visiting the Courthouse in Person
People who want to see DeSoto County court records in person can visit the DeSoto County Courthouse in Hernando. The building address is 365 Losher Street, Hernando, Mississippi 38632. The courthouse opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The building closes for state holidays. Visitors must pass through a security checkpoint with metal detectors.
Inside the courthouse, the Circuit Clerk office sits on the first floor. The Chancery Clerk office sits on the second floor. Public terminals let visitors search case records without staff help. Staff at the front desk can help locate older records. Visitors should bring a valid photo ID. Visitors should know the case number or full party name before arriving to speed up the search.
Requesting Records by Mail
People who cannot visit the courthouse can request records by mail. Mail requests go to the DeSoto County Circuit Clerk or Chancery Clerk at the courthouse address. The request letter must include the case number, full party names, type of records needed, and a daytime phone number. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed the return. A check or money order covers the copy fees.
Mail requests take longer than in-person visits. Processing time runs 5 to 10 business days. Complex searches may take longer. The clerk office calls the requester if more data is needed. Mail requests for certified copies must specify that the requester wants certification. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. The clerk office returns records by USPS mail unless the requester pays for faster shipping.
Fees for DeSoto County Court Records
Mississippi law sets the fees for court records. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per document plus the per-page copy fee. The certification fee is a flat $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Some documents like birth certificates and marriage licenses have different fee schedules set by state law.
The clerk offices accept cash, check, money order, and credit cards for in-person payments. Mail requests require check or money order. Online payments through the state portal use credit cards with a small processing fee. The state charges $2.50 per transaction for credit card payments over the Mississippi Electronic Courts system. No fee waiver exists for public records requests.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Some court records in DeSoto County stay sealed by law. Adoption records are sealed permanently unless a court orders them opened. Juvenile delinquency records are sealed when the juvenile turns 18 or completes probation. Mental health commitment records are sealed. Records related to trade secrets, ongoing investigations, and grand jury proceedings are sealed.
People who want to seal their own records can file a petition with the court. Mississippi law allows expungement of certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period. First-offense marijuana charges, certain DUI convictions, and non-violent misdemeanors may qualify. The expungement process requires filing a petition, paying a fee, and attending a court hearing. The court decides each case on its facts.
Public Access Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi’s Public Records Act opens most government records to public view. The law covers court records held by clerks. The law covers police reports held by law enforcement. The law covers many other government files. The Mississippi Ethics Commission enforces the Public Records Act. People who are denied access can file a complaint with the Commission.
Certain personal data gets redacted from public records. Federal law protects Social Security numbers. State law protects bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and dates of birth in most records. The clerk offices redact this data before posting records online. People who file court documents must remove this data before submitting. The courts can reject documents that contain unredacted sensitive data.
DeSoto County Courthouse Contact
The DeSoto County Courthouse holds the main records offices for the county. The Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk both work from this building. The courthouse address is 365 Losher Street, Hernando, Mississippi 38632. The general phone number is (662) 429-1475. The courthouse hours run 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
| Office | Phone Number | Address |
|---|---|---|
| DeSoto County Circuit Clerk | (662) 429-1328 | 365 Losher Street, Hernando, MS 38632 |
| DeSoto County Chancery Clerk | (662) 429-1475 | 365 Losher Street, Hernando, MS 38632 |
| Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts | (601) 576-4631 | 450 High Street, Jackson, MS 39201 |
The Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts runs the statewide electronic records system. The state office address is 450 High Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201. The state court website is mscourts.gov. The state office can help with technical questions about the online search system. The state office cannot help with specific case searches in DeSoto County.
For municipal court records, contact each city clerk directly. The City of Southaven, City of Olive Branch, City of Horn Lake, and City of Hernando each maintain their own court records. These records are not part of the county system. Searches for municipal cases must go through the city where the case was filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions people ask about DeSoto County court records. These questions cover search methods, fees, and access rules. Read each answer for the data you need to locate court records in this Mississippi county.
How do I search for criminal court records in DeSoto County Mississippi?
Criminal court records in DeSoto County go through the Circuit Clerk for felonies and the Justice Court Clerk for misdemeanors. The Mississippi Electronic Courts system at mscourts.gov covers both types. Users search by full name, date of birth, or case number. The system shows charges, court dates, plea details, and sentence data. People who cannot use the online system can visit the courthouse in Hernando or send a mail request to the Circuit Clerk office. A photo ID is required for in-person searches. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety also runs a separate criminal background check system for statewide data.
Are DeSoto County court records free to view?
Viewing court records at the courthouse is free. The public terminals in the Circuit Clerk and Chancery Clerk offices let anyone search and read records at no cost. The Mississippi Electronic Courts online system is free for basic searches. Viewing document images online requires a free account. Fees only apply when requesting copies. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per document plus page fees. Online credit card payments carry a $2.50 processing fee per transaction.
Can I get a copy of a divorce decree from DeSoto County?
Yes. Divorce decrees are public records in Mississippi once the court finalizes the divorce. DeSoto County divorce cases file in Chancery Court. The Chancery Clerk office maintains these records. Requesters can visit the courthouse, mail a request, or search the Mississippi Electronic Courts system. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $2.00 plus $1.00 per page. The clerk office needs the case number or full names of both spouses plus the marriage date or divorce year. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days to process.
What court handles probate records in DeSoto County?
Chancery Court handles probate matters in DeSoto County. This includes wills, estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. The Chancery Clerk maintains probate records. People can search probate files through the Mississippi Electronic Courts system or the DeSoto County Chancery Clerk website. Older probate records from before 2015 may not be online. Requesters may need to visit the courthouse for older files. Probate records often contain sensitive financial data. The state requires redaction of account numbers before public release.
How do I find traffic ticket records in DeSoto County Mississippi?
Traffic ticket records in DeSoto County file in different courts based on where the ticket was written. Tickets written by county deputies or state troopers go to Justice Court. Tickets written by city police go to that city’s Municipal Court. The Mississippi Electronic Courts system covers Justice Court traffic tickets. Municipal Court tickets require direct contact with the city clerk. To search, users need the ticket number or full name plus the ticket date. Court fines and fees can often be paid online through the state portal or the city website.
Can I remove or seal my court record in DeSoto County?
Mississippi law allows expungement of certain records. Eligible cases include first-offense marijuana possession, certain non-violent misdemeanors, and some felony charges that did not result in conviction. The process starts with a petition filed in the court where the case was handled. A filing fee applies. A judge reviews the petition and holds a hearing. The court grants or denies the request based on the case facts. Sealed records do not appear in public searches. Some records cannot be sealed by law, including most violent felonies and sex offense convictions.
Where do I find land records and property filings in DeSoto County?
Land records and property filings in DeSoto County go through the Chancery Clerk office. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related documents. The DeSoto County Chancery Clerk website offers a separate search portal for these records. The state system does not cover land records in most counties. Users can search by name, document type, or recording date. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per document. The office also handles federal tax liens, state tax liens, and uniform commercial code filings.