Lowndes County Court Records
What Is Lowndes County Court Records
Court records in Lowndes County, Mississippi, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Each document type serves a distinct function: dockets provide a chronological index of filings and hearings; pleadings contain the formal allegations and defenses of parties; orders and judgments reflect the court's official rulings; and transcripts capture verbatim accounts of proceedings.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained in Lowndes County. Property records, for example, are held by the County Chancery Clerk and document ownership, liens, and deeds. Vital records—such as birth and death certificates—are administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are maintained by the clerk of the court in which the matter was filed.
The following courts in Lowndes County maintain official court records:
- Circuit Court – handles felony criminal cases, major civil matters, and jury trials
- Chancery Court – handles equity matters, probate, guardianship, and domestic relations
- County Court – handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases under a specified monetary threshold, and youth court matters
- Justice Court – handles small claims, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings
- Municipal Court (Columbus Municipal Court) – handles traffic violations and city ordinance infractions
- Family Court / Youth Court – handles juvenile delinquency and child welfare matters
Records maintained by these courts cover civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Under Mississippi Code § 9-1-38, clerks of court are required to maintain accurate and complete records of all proceedings before their respective courts.
Are Court Records Public In Lowndes County
Court records in Lowndes County are generally accessible to the public under Mississippi law. The Mississippi Public Records Act, § 25-61-1 et seq., establishes a presumption of openness for government records, including those generated by the judiciary. Members of the public may inspect most civil case files, criminal case files following the filing of charges, docket sheets, hearing schedules, judgments, and court orders without demonstrating a specific need or interest.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- Civil case files (complaints, answers, motions, and orders)
- Criminal case files after formal charging
- Final judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets and case indexes
- Probate filings and estate inventories
- Divorce decrees (excluding sealed portions)
- Traffic case dispositions
It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi—which has jurisdiction over federal matters arising in Lowndes County—are governed by federal law and accessed through the federal PACER system, not through county offices.
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under § 25-61-11 of the Mississippi Public Records Act. These exemptions include juvenile court records, adoption records, mental health commitment records, records sealed by court order, and certain victim information in sensitive criminal cases. The Mississippi Supreme Court has also issued administrative rules governing access to court records, which clerks are required to follow when processing public requests.
How To Find Court Records in Lowndes County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Lowndes County may obtain them through in-person requests, written requests, or online portals, depending on the court and the nature of the records sought.
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the office of the Circuit Clerk or Chancery Clerk at the Lowndes County Courthouse during regular business hours
- Provide the case number, party name, or approximate filing date to assist staff in locating records
- Present a valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay any applicable copying or certification fees at the time of the request
Written or Mail Requests:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate clerk's office specifying the case type, party names, and the date range of the records sought
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for applicable fees
- Allow processing time as determined by the clerk's office
Online Access:
- Use the Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) system or the Mississippi Judiciary's online portal to search for available case information
- Federal court records for cases filed in the Northern District of Mississippi are accessible through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system
Official request forms, where available, may be obtained directly from the clerk's office or downloaded from the Mississippi Judiciary website.
How To Look Up Court Records in Lowndes County Online?
Several online portals currently provide access to Lowndes County court records, depending on the court level and case type.
Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC): The Mississippi Electronic Courts system is the primary statewide platform for electronic filing and case management. Registered users may search circuit and chancery court records through this portal. The Mississippi Judiciary website provides access to case information, docket entries, and filed documents for participating courts.
Search Steps for the Mississippi Judiciary Portal:
- Navigate to the official Mississippi Judiciary website at courts.ms.gov
- Select the "Case Search" or "Court Records" option from the main menu
- Enter the party name, case number, or attorney name in the designated search fields
- Filter results by court type, county, and date range as needed
- Review the case summary and docket entries displayed
PACER – Federal Court Records: For federal cases involving Lowndes County parties, members of the public may access records through the federal PACER system. The Northern District of Mississippi United States District Court maintains electronic records for all federal civil and criminal matters filed within its jurisdiction. Registration is required, and nominal per-page fees apply.
Justice Court and Municipal Court Records: Justice Court and Municipal Court records are not uniformly available online at present. Members of the public seeking these records are directed to contact the respective clerk's office directly.
How To Search Lowndes County Court Records for Free?
Under § 25-61-3 of the Mississippi Public Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Fees may be assessed only for the actual cost of reproducing records (copies) or for staff time required to compile extensive requests.
The following options are currently available for free record searches:
- In-person inspection at the Circuit Clerk's or Chancery Clerk's office is free of charge; copying fees apply if physical copies are requested
- Mississippi Judiciary case search portal at courts.ms.gov allows basic case lookups at no cost for general public users
- Justice Court docket review may be conducted in person at the Justice Court clerk's office without charge
Fees for certified copies, exemplified copies, or extensive document reproduction are set by statute and vary by document type. Members of the public who wish only to review records—without obtaining copies—are entitled to do so free of charge during regular business hours.
What's Included in a Lowndes County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following components:
Civil Court Records:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
- Motions filed by either party and corresponding responses
- Court orders and rulings on motions
- Final judgment or decree
- Post-judgment filings (appeals, motions to modify)
Criminal Court Records:
- Charging documents (indictment, information, or affidavit)
- Arrest warrant and bond information
- Arraignment and plea records
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
- Trial transcripts (where applicable)
- Verdict and sentencing orders
- Probation or supervision records (where not sealed)
Probate Court Records:
- Petition for probate of will or administration of estate
- Inventory and appraisal of estate assets
- Creditor claims and payment records
- Final accounting and order of distribution
Family and Domestic Relations Records:
- Divorce petitions and decrees
- Child custody and support orders
- Adoption records (generally sealed)
- Guardianship and conservatorship filings
Traffic and Misdemeanor Records:
- Citation or charging document
- Plea and disposition
- Fine payment records
How Long Does Lowndes County Keep Court Records?
Lowndes County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court civil case files | Permanent |
| Circuit Court criminal case files (felony) | Permanent |
| Chancery Court records (probate, equity) | Permanent |
| County Court civil case files | 10 years minimum |
| Justice Court records | 5–10 years depending on case type |
| Municipal Court traffic records | 5 years minimum |
| Juvenile/Youth Court records | Sealed; retained per court order |
Permanent records are those deemed to have ongoing legal, historical, or administrative significance. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History publishes official retention schedules applicable to county courts. Under current law, clerks of court are prohibited from destroying records prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period without authorization from the appropriate oversight authority.
Types of Courts In Lowndes County
Lowndes County is served by a hierarchy of state courts, each with defined subject matter jurisdiction. The court hierarchy proceeds from courts of limited jurisdiction at the local level through the state appellate courts.
Lowndes County Circuit Court
Lowndes County Courthouse 515 Second Avenue North, Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-5900 Lowndes County Circuit Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Lowndes County Chancery Court
Lowndes County Courthouse 515 Second Avenue North, Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-5800 Lowndes County Chancery Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Lowndes County Justice Court
Lowndes County Justice Court 515 Second Avenue North, Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-5910 Lowndes County Justice Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Columbus Municipal Court
Columbus City Hall 510 Main Street, Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-4200 Columbus Municipal Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Mississippi Court of Appeals The Mississippi Court of Appeals serves as the intermediate appellate court for cases appealed from circuit and chancery courts.
Mississippi Supreme Court The Mississippi Supreme Court is the court of last resort for all state court matters and exercises supervisory authority over all lower courts in the state.
What Types of Cases Do Lowndes County Courts Hear?
Each court in Lowndes County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by Mississippi law.
Circuit Court:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases involving amounts exceeding $200,000 (or as otherwise set by statute)
- Jury trials in civil and criminal matters
- Appeals from Justice Court and County Court
Chancery Court:
- Divorce and domestic relations matters
- Child custody and support
- Probate of wills and administration of estates
- Guardianship and conservatorship
- Equity matters and injunctions
- Land title disputes
County Court (where established):
- Civil cases within a specified monetary threshold
- Misdemeanor criminal matters
- Youth court and juvenile delinquency matters
- Appeals from Justice Court
Justice Court:
- Small claims civil matters (up to $3,500)
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses
- Preliminary hearings in felony matters
- Traffic violations outside municipal limits
Columbus Municipal Court:
- City ordinance violations
- Traffic infractions within city limits
- Misdemeanor offenses occurring within the city
How To Find a Court Docket In Lowndes County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access Lowndes County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search:
- Visit the Mississippi Judiciary website and use the case search function to locate docket entries for circuit and chancery court cases
- Enter the case number or party name to retrieve the docket sheet
- For federal cases, access docket information through the Northern District of Mississippi court portal via PACER
In-Person Search:
- Visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Lowndes County Courthouse, 515 Second Avenue North, Columbus, MS 39701
- Request access to the public case index terminals, which are available during regular business hours
- Staff may assist in locating case numbers for matters where the exact case number is unknown
Telephone Inquiry:
- Members of the public may call the Circuit Clerk's office at (662) 329-5900 to obtain basic docket information for a specific case
Which Courts in Lowndes County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and subject to review by a higher court. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings, and appeals from such courts typically proceed as trials de novo (new trials) rather than reviews of the lower court record.
In Lowndes County, the Justice Court and the Columbus Municipal Court are currently classified as courts not of record under Mississippi law. Pursuant to Mississippi Code § 9-11-1 et seq., Justice Courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and are not courts of record. Similarly, Municipal Courts operating under Title 21 of the Mississippi Code are not courts of record.
As a practical consequence, parties who are dissatisfied with a Justice Court or Municipal Court judgment have the right to appeal to the County Court or Circuit Court, where the matter is heard anew. The Circuit Court and Chancery Court, by contrast, are courts of record, and appeals from those courts proceed to the Mississippi Court of Appeals based on the written record of the lower court proceedings.