Court records of Lamar County, Mississippi, are available through several channels. LamarCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official online county portals, directly at the court clerks' offices in the courthouse in Purvis, and through public terminals installed in court premises.
Lamar Court System & Jurisdictions
There are three main courts operating in Lamar County, each handling different categories of cases.
Circuit Court
This is the court of general jurisdiction for serious cases. The Circuit Clerk maintains all records of this court and keeps the official seal. It includes:
- Criminal felony cases
- Civil lawsuits for significant amounts
- Appeals from Justice Court
The Circuit Court is where jury trials in criminal cases take place.
Chancery Court
This court specializes in cases related to equity law. The Chancery Clerk registers and maintains documentation for the following categories:
- Divorce and family matters
- Land disputes and real estate issues
- Probate cases (the process of estate settlement)
- Paternity and child support cases
- Conservatorships and guardianships
- Protective orders in domestic violence cases
Justice Court
The busiest court in the county. The criminal division of the Justice Court handles approximately 7,100 cases per year. It deals with:
- Misdemeanors (minor criminal offenses), including DUI
- Traffic violations and MDOT tickets
- Hunting and fishing violations
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases and bail setting
- Search warrants
The civil jurisdiction of the Justice Court covers small claims, evictions, and other civil disputes within the statutory limit.
Lamar Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, contact the relevant office directly. There is no single online calendar for all county courts, so the method of obtaining information depends on the court.
- Circuit Court: Call or visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the courthouse in Purvis. The clerk can inform you of upcoming hearing dates and confirm whether a specific case is scheduled.
- Chancery Court: The schedule can be clarified at the Chancery Clerk's office. For real estate and land records, the Chancery Records online portal is available, but the hearing calendar is not published through it.
- Justice Court: As this court handles the most cases, the schedule changes frequently. Contact the Justice Court office by phone or in person.
All county departments operate Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Get a Copy of a Lamar Court Document
The procedure depends on the type of copy you need and which court handled the case.
Certified and Regular Copies
A certified copy has the official court seal and the clerk's signature — it is accepted by other government agencies, banks, and courts. A regular (non-certified) copy is suitable for review but does not have the legal force of the original.
How to Obtain Documents
- In person: Visit the relevant office in the courthouse. For Circuit Court documents — the Circuit Clerk's office, for family matters, probate, and land records — the Chancery Clerk's office.
- Online: Land records and real estate documents can be viewed through the Official Records Inquiry. Search is conducted by name or document number. Note: the online portal provides informational access, and obtaining a certified copy usually requires contacting the clerk.
- By mail: Send a written request specifying the full name of the party, approximate date, type of document, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Mailing Address
Circuit Clerk's Office:
Chancery Clerk's Office:
To check a state-level criminal history, you can use the background check service from the Department of Public Safety.
Lamar Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Mississippi are set according to state law. Specific amounts may vary depending on the type of document and court. Below are approximate fees that are usually applied in Mississippi counties — always verify the exact amount directly with the relevant clerk.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Record search (by name) | Depends on the court | Check with the office; online land record search through the Chancery portal may be free for viewing |
| Regular copy of a document | $0.50 per page (typical) | May vary for different types of cases |
| Certified copy | $1.00–$5.00+ per document | Includes seal and clerk's signature; exact amount depends on the type of document |
| Filing a civil lawsuit (Circuit Court) | Set by MS law | Contact Circuit Clerk for current amounts |
| Filing a claim (Justice Court, small claims) | Set by MS law | Contact Justice Court |
| Criminal history check (state) | Depends on the type of check | Through Mississippi DPS; payment online |
Most offices accept payment by cash, money orders, and checks. Availability of credit or debit card payment should be confirmed in advance. For mail requests, include a money order made out to the appropriate clerk.
If you need state-level inmate information, use the Mississippi Department of Corrections search. For checking the sex offender registry — DPS public registry.