About Jefferson Davis County
Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, is located in the south-central region of the state and was established in 1906, making it one of Mississippi's younger counties. Named after Confederate President Jefferson Davis, the county encompasses approximately 409 square miles of predominantly rural land. The county seat is Prentiss, located along U.S. Highway 84, which serves as the primary commercial and governmental center. According to recent Census estimates, Jefferson Davis County has a population of approximately 11,300 residents, reflecting a gradual decline from its mid-20th century peak.
The county is characterized by rolling pine forests, agricultural lands, and a landscape shaped by the timber industry that has historically dominated the local economy. Major communities include Prentiss, Bassfield, and Carson. The county is served by several key governmental offices essential for public records: the Jefferson Davis County Chancery Clerk (located at 1025 Third Street, Prentiss, MS 39474) maintains land records, vital records, and court documents; the Jefferson Davis County Circuit Clerk handles criminal and civil court filings; the Tax Assessor's office manages property tax assessments and records; and the Board of Supervisors oversees county administration.
Notable landmarks include the Mississippi Choctaw Festival grounds and numerous historic churches dating to the early 1900s. The county's economy has traditionally relied on timber, agriculture (particularly poultry and cattle), and light manufacturing, with economic development efforts focused on attracting new industry along the Highway 84 corridor.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the county. It patrols the unincorporated areas, manages the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing efforts and works to ensure the safety and security of all residents. Notable programs include crime prevention initiatives and community outreach efforts aimed at fostering good relations between law enforcement and the public.
Police Departments
In addition to the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Office, the county is served by municipal police departments, including the Prentiss Police Department and the Bassfield Police Department. These agencies handle law enforcement within their respective city limits, while the sheriff's office covers the unincorporated areas. Coordination between these agencies occurs during major crimes and joint operations, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage across the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1023 Third Street in Prentiss, MS 39474, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (601) 792-5169 and maintains jurisdiction over criminal investigations, civil process service, courthouse security, and operation of the county detention facility. The Jefferson Davis County Jail, located adjacent to the Sheriff's Office, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanants.
- Under Mississippi Code § 25-61-1 et seq., the Mississippi Public Records Act, citizens have the right to request arrest records, incident reports, and booking information from law enforcement agencies.
- Requests should be made in writing to the custodian of records at each agency, with responses typically provided within seven business days.
- Mugshots and booking photos are considered public records in Mississippi and can be requested from the Sheriff's Office, though fees for copies may apply.
Inmate information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at (601) 792-5169 during business hours; the facility does not currently offer online inmate lookup, requiring in-person or telephone inquiries for current custody status, booking dates, and bond information. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Prentiss Police Department (serving the county seat), Bassfield Police Department, and Carson Police Department, each with jurisdiction within their respective city limits. The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs and incident reports dating back several years, with older records archived.
No tribal law enforcement agencies operate within Jefferson Davis County, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol maintains concurrent jurisdiction on state and federal highways throughout the county.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Jefferson Davis County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records. Background checks can be conducted through the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which provides comprehensive criminal history information. The bureau offers services to Jefferson Davis residents for employment, licensing, and other purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Jefferson Davis County are maintained by the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the sheriff's office directly. Under the Mississippi Public Records Act, these records are accessible to the public, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy and ongoing investigations.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Jefferson Davis County Jail, located in Prentiss, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrested individuals. Inmate lookup is available through the sheriff's office, allowing family members and legal representatives to locate individuals in custody. Visitation rules are specific to this facility and typically require scheduling in advance. The bond and bail process follows Mississippi state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Jefferson Davis County are taken and retained by the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office or online databases. Mississippi does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals can request removal from third-party websites under certain conditions. The sheriff's website may provide a search function for accessing recent mugshots.
Courts & Case Records
Jefferson Davis County is served by the Fifteenth Judicial District Circuit Court, which handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $200,000, and appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at 1025 Third Street in Prentiss, MS 39474, phone (601) 792-4204. The Jefferson Davis County Chancery Court, sharing the same address, has jurisdiction over land disputes, estate matters, divorces, custody cases, guardianships, and civil matters where equitable relief is sought.
- Justice Court in Jefferson Davis County handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, preliminary hearings for felonies, and civil matters up to $3,500.
- Fees for certified copies are typically $1.50 per page plus a certification fee.
The Chancery Clerk serves as the record keeper for these proceedings and also functions as the county's chief recording officer for land records. Two Justice Court judges serve the county with offices in Prentiss. Municipal courts in Prentiss, Bassfield, and Carson handle violations of city ordinances and traffic matters within city limits.
Public access to court records is governed by Mississippi Code § 25-61-9, which establishes that court records are public unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute. The Circuit and Chancery Clerk's offices maintain indices of all filed cases, and citizens may search records in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Mississippi does not currently offer statewide online court record access, though case information can be obtained by contacting the appropriate clerk's office with case numbers or party names.
Some docket information may be provided by telephone, but detailed record review requires an in-person visit.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Jefferson Davis County are maintained by the Chancery Clerk's office, which serves as the official Register of Deeds. Located at 1025 Third Street, Prentiss, MS 39474 (phone: 601-792-4204), this office records and preserves deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, releases, liens (including mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens), easements, rights-of-way, plat maps, subdivision plats, and various other instruments affecting real property title.
- Copy fees are typically $1.00 per page for standard copies, with certified copies costing additional certification fees.
- Property tax records are maintained separately by the Jefferson Davis County Tax Assessor's office at 1009 Third Street, Prentiss, MS 39474 (phone: 601-792-5285).
The land records indexing system uses both grantor-grantee indices and tract indices, with records dating back to the county's establishment in 1906. Currently, Jefferson Davis County does not offer online access to digitized land records; researchers must visit the Chancery Clerk's office in person to examine record books and indices. The Assessor maintains assessment rolls, property characteristic data, ownership information, and parcel maps.
The Tax Collector's office handles payment of property taxes and maintains payment history records. While Jefferson Davis County does not currently provide a comprehensive online GIS or parcel viewer system accessible to the public, property tax information can sometimes be obtained by telephone inquiry with the parcel number or owner name. For official property searches, title research, or verification of ownership, in-person examination of records at the Chancery Clerk's office remains the most reliable method.
The county encourages those needing extensive record searches to contact the offices in advance, and abstract companies or title researchers frequently access these records for real estate transactions.
Vital Records
Vital records for Jefferson Davis County are handled through multiple offices depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring within Jefferson Davis County are filed with the Mississippi State Department of Health, Vital Records Office, but certified copies for recent events can also be requested through the Jefferson Davis County Chancery Clerk's office at 1025 Third Street, Prentiss, MS 39474. Under Mississippi Code § 41-57-1 et seq., birth and death records are maintained by the state, with counties serving as auxiliary access points.
- Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously; death certificates follow the same fee structure.
- Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests, though in-person requests at the Chancery Clerk's office may be expedited if the record is readily available.
- Marriage licenses are issued by the Jefferson Davis County Circuit Clerk's office (phone: 601-792-4204) at the courthouse in Prentiss.
- The fee is approximately $21.00, and both parties must appear in person with valid identification and Social Security numbers.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk for a fee.
Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or legal interest in the record. Mississippi has no waiting period for marriage licenses, and licenses are valid for 30 days from issuance. Divorce records (final decrees) are filed with the Chancery Clerk and can be accessed as court records, subject to standard court record fees.
For vital records older than 100 years or when local access is unavailable, the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records office (570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216, phone 601-576-7981) serves as the central repository. Online ordering of Mississippi vital records is available through the state's authorized vendor VitalChek at an additional processing fee, though this service connects to state records rather than county-specific holdings.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Jefferson Davis County operates through both county and state systems. Fictitious business name registrations ("doing business as" or DBA filings) are filed with the Jefferson Davis County Chancery Clerk's office at 1025 Third Street, Prentiss, MS 39474 (phone: 601-792-4204). These filings create a public record of business names used by individuals or entities operating under names other than their legal names, with fees typically around $25 per filing.
- The Jefferson Davis County Chamber of Commerce, located in Prentiss, provides business development support and networking opportunities for local businesses, though it does not maintain official licensing records.
The Chancery Clerk maintains an index of business name registrations that can be searched in person during regular business hours. For formal business entity formation and registration (corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships), the Mississippi Secretary of State Business Services Division maintains the statewide registry. The Secretary of State's online Business Entity Search is available at https://www.sos.ms.gov and provides free public access to information on registered corporations, LLCs, and other entities, including formation dates, registered agents, status, and filed documents.
Sales tax permits are issued by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and are required for businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services. Professional and occupational licenses are generally issued by state licensing boards rather than county offices. Local business operating licenses or permits may be required by municipalities; businesses operating within Prentiss city limits should contact Prentiss City Hall (phone: 601-792-4221) regarding city business license requirements.
Building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and related construction permits are issued by the Jefferson Davis County Building Department, typically part of the county administration offices. Zoning matters and land use permits are handled by the Jefferson Davis County Planning and Zoning Department or Board of Supervisors.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, are administered by the Jefferson Davis County Circuit Clerk's office, which serves as the county's election authority. The Circuit Clerk's office is located at 1025 Third Street, Prentiss, MS 39474, and can be reached at (601) 792-4204 for election-related inquiries. Voter registration in Jefferson Davis County is handled through this office and the Mississippi Secretary of State's Statewide Elections Management System.
- Mississippi residents may register to vote online at https://www.ms.gov/sos/voter_registration or by submitting a paper application to the Circuit Clerk's office.
- To register, applicants must be U.S.
- These records can be requested from the Circuit Clerk under the Mississippi Public Records Act.
- In the November 2024 general election, Jefferson Davis County voter turnout was approximately 52% of registered voters, consistent with typical Mississippi rural county participation rates in presidential election years.
- The Circuit Clerk's office maintains election result records and can provide certified copies upon request, with fees typically charged for extensive record searches or certified documents.
The voter registration deadline in Mississippi is 30 days prior to any election. citizens, Mississippi residents, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and not disenfranchised by a disqualifying felony conviction. Voters can find their assigned polling location by contacting the Circuit Clerk's office or checking the Mississippi Secretary of State's voter information portal at https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/pages/polling-place-locator.aspx.
Jefferson Davis County typically operates multiple polling places on election day, with locations in Prentiss, Bassfield, Carson, and other communities based on precinct boundaries. Election records that are public in Mississippi include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted), candidate qualifying documents, campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot applications (though not the ballots themselves). The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, which will include U.S.
House of Representatives elections (Mississippi's four congressional districts), potential U.S. Senate races if applicable, and various state and local offices depending on the election cycle. Mississippi holds state elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other statewide constitutional officers in odd-numbered years following presidential elections.
Absentee voting in Jefferson Davis County is available for voters who meet statutory qualifications including age 65 or older, permanent physical disability, work conflicts, U.S. Armed Forces members, or college students residing away from their county of registration. Absentee ballot applications can be requested from the Circuit Clerk's office and must be submitted according to statutory deadlines (typically by the Saturday before election day for in-person absentee voting, or earlier for mail ballots).
Mississippi requires voter ID at polling places, accepting driver's licenses, government-issued photo IDs, tribal photo IDs, and certain other forms.
Economy & Demographics
Jefferson Davis County's economy has historically been anchored by natural resource industries, particularly timber and agriculture, with manufacturing providing additional employment. The timber industry remains a significant economic driver, with pine plantations covering substantial portions of the county and supporting sawmills, pulpwood operations, and forestry services. Agriculture focuses primarily on poultry production, cattle ranching, and hay production, with numerous family farms operating throughout the county's rural areas. According to U.S.
- The county's proximity to Interstate 59 (approximately 20 miles east) and Highway 84 provides transportation access for potential industrial development.
- The South Mississippi Planning and Development District provides economic development planning and technical assistance to Jefferson Davis County.
Census Bureau data, the median household income in Jefferson Davis County is approximately $34,000, significantly below both the Mississippi state median and the national average, reflecting the county's rural character and limited high-wage employment opportunities. The county's unemployment rate has historically tracked above state averages, with fluctuations tied to timber market conditions and manufacturing sector performance. Major employers include Jefferson Davis County School District, Jefferson Davis Community Hospital, county government, and several manufacturing facilities.
The Mississippi Choctaw Indian Nation's economic enterprises have regional economic impact, though the tribal lands are primarily in adjacent counties. Retail and service businesses concentrated in Prentiss and along Highway 84 provide additional employment. Economic development efforts have focused on industrial park development, infrastructure improvements along transportation corridors, and workforce development initiatives.
Recent economic development priorities include broadband expansion to underserved rural areas, downtown Prentiss revitalization, and attraction of logistics and distribution operations.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ⚠️ In-Person Only | Property: ⚠️ In-Person Required | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person Only | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or State Office | Business: ✅ State Portal Available | Elections: ✅ State Online Tools | Overall Score: 4/10 — Jefferson Davis County maintains traditional in-person public records access without comprehensive online systems, though state-level portals provide some digital access for business and election information.
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Cities & Towns in Jefferson Davis County
Nearby Counties
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