Lafayette County Detention Center
Lafayette County Detention Center
Physical Address
711 Jackson Avenue EastOxford, MS 38655
Jail Phone Number
662-234-6421Lafayette County Inmate Search: Find Someone Held in Oxford
The Lafayette County Detention Center, 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655, books adults arrested here. Read on to learn how to track a loved one down, what to ask about mugshots, and which office to call about bail, counsel, visiting, deposits, mail and court dates ahead.
Open the jail lookup. Type in a name and the page answers whether that person is being held. If the booking is fresh, wait and look again later.
Then phone the jail at 662-234-6421. Gather the legal name and birthday first. Ask staff what the charge is, what the bond amount is, and when the first hearing takes place. For the next steps, see our bail help page and our court help page.
Read inmate search answers
Read inmate search answers1. Where do I look up a Lafayette County inmate?
Here is a simple way to run the lookup from any phone or computer:
- Go to the jail lookup.
- Type the surname to begin. Long result? Add a first name to shrink it.
- If nothing shows, try other spellings or a name the family uses.
- Copy down what you see, like the booking date or the listed charge.
- Phone the jail to confirm, since the screen can lag behind real life.
Call 662-234-6421 and ask for Booking or Records. The building sits at 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655.
↑ Back to the question list2. Their name is missing. What does that mean?
No match can have many causes:
- Booking is slow. Entry into the system can lag behind the arrest.
- Police have them first. Local police may keep a person at their station first.
- Already out. A posted bond or a judge's release may explain it.
- Different place. They may sit in the jail of another county.
- A minor. Minors are not on the adult roster. Youth Court handles them.
Phone the detention center at 662-234-6421 and give the exact name. If staff say nobody matches, ask them which agency made the arrest.
↑ Back to the question list3. Which jail holds people arrested around Lafayette County?
The adult jail is the Lafayette County Detention Center, 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-6421. The Sheriff's Office uses the same address and number. Call to confirm who is held there.
No separate annex, work center or city lockup turned up in our research. Ask the Sheriff's Office to confirm exactly where your person sits.
Was the arrest made in a different county? Use JE's Mississippi jail directory to reach that county's own facility.
↑ Back to the question list4. Can I see Lafayette County mugshots?
Ask the jail whether the lookup includes mugshots. A booking photo may or may not appear.
In Mississippi, any police incident report is open to inspection, and it lists the people who were booked on a charge, with the basis in Miss. Code § 25-61-3(e); an office may charge for copies. The statute says nothing about the booking photo, so asking is the only way to learn if you can have one.
- Sheriff's Office, 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-6421.
- Oxford Police Department, 9 Industrial Park Drive, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-232-2400.
ICE has its own process: send a request through ICE's FOIA page. Other federal booking photos generally are not released, with a narrow exception for the U.S. Marshals Service, which may release a photo when the person is a fugitive on the run.
↑ Back to the question list5. Will I be notified when they are let go?
The state's VINE program is managed by the Department of Corrections. Subscribers are notified about a county or state offender who gets transferred, is let go, escapes or is picked up again.
- Register on VINELink.
- Or phone 888-967-7284 toll free. Someone answers all day and night, in two languages.
Some jails may not feed the system. For a release in Oxford, also ask the detention center at 662-234-6421.
↑ Back to the question list6. What does bail look like for a Lafayette County arrest?
Within 48 hours after an arrest, a person who is held has to be brought before a judge. Arrests outside city limits tend to go to Justice Court, 72 F.D. "Buddy" East Parkway, Suite 201, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-1545. Arrests by city officers go to Oxford Municipal Court, 72 F.D. "Buddy" East Parkway, Suite 200, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-232-2320. The County Court, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 301, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-4954, also takes up bonds.
A judge sets the terms, never a jailer. Some people are released after signing a promise to appear. Others post a bond with cash, with Mississippi land or a home, or through a licensed bail agent. A bondsman charges 10 percent of the bail (never under $100) plus a $50 processing charge, and the fee is not given back.
Ask the jail at 662-234-6421 where to pay. Our bail guide walks through it, and JE's Mississippi bail law summary adds background.
↑ Back to the question list7. Where do I get the charge on the paperwork?
The jail is the first stop. Phone 662-234-6421 and say the person's legal name and birthday.
Once the case is filed, turn to the court. Felony files sit with the Circuit Clerk, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-4951, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a misdemeanor outside the city, ask the Justice Court clerk at 72 F.D. "Buddy" East Parkway, Suite 201, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-1545.
The state's Mississippi Electronic Courts site gives docket access through a single login, but not every court takes part. Calling is the safest bet. The agency that made the arrest can also be asked for its incident report.
↑ Back to the question list8. Can the court give us a lawyer?
Someone with little money may ask the judge for an appointed attorney. The judge settles that question by the first hearing at the latest.
To learn how appointments work here, phone the County Court, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 301, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-4954. The Circuit Clerk at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-4951, can point you the right way too.
Paying for a private attorney is another choice, and that attorney can request a lower bond. Meanwhile the person inside should skip case talk on jail phones.
↑ Back to the question list9. What are the Lafayette County visiting rules?
Phone the detention center at 662-234-6421 before you drive over. Ask the staff:
- Are visits in the building, on a video screen, or either?
- What hours can visitors come?
- Do you need an appointment?
- Which photo ID, clothing rules and minimum age are enforced?
The jail uses video kiosks. It is at 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655, with free parking in front. See our visitation guide for general advice. Rules shift often, so check again before each trip.
↑ Back to the question list10. How can family load money for someone inside?
Account money covers commissary snacks, soap and phone time. The jail has money kiosks where family can load a commissary account.
At 662-234-6421, ask which payment choices are open today and what the limit is. Have their legal name in front of you. Our how-to on deposits lists the usual methods, and our commissary store guide shows what a balance can purchase.
Do not mail cash. An account balance is not bail, so it cannot release anyone.
↑ Back to the question list11. How do they reach me by phone or video?
The jail runs its calls, video chats and email through kiosks, and the inmate or the family covers the cost. Phone 662-234-6421 to learn how to open an account, what rates apply, and whether messages are allowed.
Phone lines are probably recorded. Share case details only with the attorney. See also our jail phone guide and our messaging and email guide.
↑ Back to the question list12. How do I write to someone held there?
Check with the jail at 662-234-6421 before you post a letter. Ask which mailing address to use, whether the inmate number goes on it, and which items may be sent. The street address is 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655.
Address the envelope to the person's legal name, and add your own address as the sender. Do not enclose cash. Our letter-writing guide lists the common rules.
↑ Back to the question list13. Can I pick up or leave belongings?
The jail keeps what came in with the person until the day of release. To collect or leave belongings, phone 662-234-6421. Ask whether the person has to approve the pickup in writing, when the front desk opens, and what identification to carry.
Go to 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655, with a photo ID and the person's full name.
↑ Back to the question list14. Who helps if they are sick inside?
Reach the detention center promptly at 662-234-6421. State the person's name and the problem. Give the medicine, the dose and the prescriber if you have them.
Encourage your loved one to submit a sick-call request to staff as well. For a life-threatening emergency, dial 911, and mention any worry about a mental health crisis straight away.
↑ Back to the question list15. How can I check for an open Lafayette County warrant?
County arrest warrants are served by sheriff's deputies. Ask at 662-234-6421. The state also keeps a Mississippi Most Wanted page for the Department of Public Safety.
To check on a felony warrant, call the Circuit Clerk, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-4951. Say the legal name and birthday on the call.
To handle a warrant, speak with an attorney first. The attorney can arrange the surrender with the issuing court.
↑ Back to the question list16. Where do I get the next court date?
Pick the court that holds the file:
- Justice Court, 72 F.D. "Buddy" East Parkway, Suite 201, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-1545.
- Oxford Municipal Court, 72 F.D. "Buddy" East Parkway, Suite 200, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-232-2320.
- County Court, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 301, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-4954.
- Circuit Clerk, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-4951, for felonies once a grand jury acts.
Our court guide goes through each stage. Trials should start inside 270 days after arraignment unless a delay is excused for good cause (MRCrP Rule 9).
↑ Back to the question list17. A federal agent made the arrest. Now what?
Charges brought by the United States are handled in the Oxford Division of the Northern District of Mississippi, in the Federal Building, 911 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-1971.
- In a detention hearing held soon after arrest, the court rules on release or custody before trial (18 U.S.C. 3142).
- The U.S. Marshals Service is in charge of federal detainees before trial. Its Oxford office is at 911 Jackson Avenue, Suite 234, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-513-2300. Ask where the person sits.
- When a federal sentence begins, the BOP inmate locator shows where the person is.
18. Immigration officers want them. What should I expect?
Mississippi is in the area of ICE's New Orleans Field Office. A common order of events looks like this:
- ICE makes its request in a detainer on Form I-247A.
- Under 8 CFR 287.7(d), the jail may hold the person up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released.
- ICE then picks the place where the person goes next.
- Try the ICE Online Detainee Locator by name and country of birth. If the result is blank, ask the jail at 662-234-6421 whether a detainer arrived.
19. What happens once a prison term begins?
When a judge orders prison time, MDOC takes over and deputies do the transport. Intake is at one of three sites: Parchman in the north (the state penitentiary), the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, 3794 MS Hwy 468, Pearl, MS 39208, 601-932-2880, or the South Mississippi Correctional Facility in the far south, near Leakesville.
- Plan for a wait of 14 to 45 days at intake. No visits are allowed then, and phone access is restricted.
- On the MDOC inmate search, type a name or ID number. Anyone still sitting in a county jail will not be listed.
- JE's Mississippi prison directory covers visits and mail.
Parole belongs to the Mississippi State Parole Board.
↑ Back to the question list20. My child is under 18. Who has them?
Someone below 18 normally goes before Youth Court. Here that is the County Court, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 301, Oxford, MS 38655. Call 662-234-4954 and ask for the Youth Court director.
- Holding a child for a day takes a judge's order, and holding one for two days takes a detention hearing.
- Youth Court picks where a child stays, and the usual rule keeps children out of adult cell blocks.
- Adult court may take a case against a child aged 13 or above when the charge involves a deadly weapon or could bring a life sentence.
- Oakley Youth Development Center, 2375 Oakley Road, Raymond, MS 39154, receives some youth the court commits.
Ask Youth Court where your child is right now.
↑ Back to the question list21. Which officers or agency took them in?
The department that arrested them can supply a report number. These departments serve the area:
- Sheriff's Office, 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-234-6421. Answers non-emergency calls.
- Oxford Police Department, 9 Industrial Park Drive, Oxford, MS 38655, 662-232-2400, for general information.
- University of Mississippi Police Department (campus), Kinard Hall, University, MS 38677, 662-915-7234.
- Mississippi Highway Patrol, District 3, Troop E, 22000-A Highway 35 North, Batesville, MS 38606, 662-563-6477.
If a smaller town's officers made the arrest, call the Sheriff's Office to ask who it was.
↑ Back to the question listLafayette County bail and bond: Oxford's detention center and county court
Lafayette County arrests end at the Lafayette County Detention Center, 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655. This page walks through bail in plain words, so you know what to do and who to call.
Begin with the jail's official search and see whether a booking shows. Then open our Lafayette County Jail Roster for who is in custody, new arrests and charges.
Bonds are set by the County Court, so call 662-234-4954 and ask how to pay on your case. You can also ring the jail at 662-234-6421. After that, see our court guide.
1. Is my student in the Oxford detention center?
Type the name into Lafayette County Inmate Search. It shows a booking and the bail once a judge or booking officer has entered it. After a weekend arrest, the entry may take a while. If the search stays empty, call the detention center on Jackson Avenue East at 662-234-6421 and ask whether another agency has a hold.
↑ Back to the question list2. Where exactly is the Lafayette County Detention Center?
It is at 711 Jackson Avenue East in Oxford. Free visitor parking is available. The main line is 662-234-6421 and the fax is 662-232-8062. Use the main line, not the fax, for questions about a person.
↑ Back to the question list3. What if Oxford police or campus police made the arrest?
Ask the arresting department for the report number and where it took the person. After that, look for the record on Lafayette County Inmate Search. A state charge goes through the county's courts.
↑ Back to the question list4. Which Lafayette County judge sets bond?
The county has a County Court, led by a county court judge, whose office is in Suite 301 at 1 Courthouse Square. The court sets bonds and conducts preliminary hearings. The county court phone is 662-234-4954, extension 2, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
↑ Back to the question list5. Who can I ask at the courthouse about my case?
Call 662-234-4954. For a case in county court, ask for extension 2. Otherwise call the circuit clerk at 662-234-4951. Both offices are in the courthouse on the square. Have the full name, birth date, and charge in front of you.
↑ Back to the question list6. Where do I post a bond in Oxford?
Call 662-234-6421 and ask where the payment is taken for this case and during which hours. Take a government photo ID and the exact amount. Get a receipt that lists the case number.
↑ Back to the question list7. What should I know before a licensed agent posts the bond?
A licensed bail agent can post the bond for you and collect a fee. Get the contract in writing, ask what collateral is required and when it is returned, and keep a copy of every paper. The agent's fee is separate from the bond itself.
↑ Back to the question list8. What do bonds usually run in Oxford for common charges?
A judge's order sets the amount. Statewide guidelines suggest a misdemeanor of up to six months at $250 to $1,000, a misdemeanor DUI at $500 to $2,000, and a felony with up to 10 years at $5,000 to $50,000. A judge can depart upward or downward from these guides.
Your relative's figure will show on Lafayette County Inmate Search.
↑ Back to the question list9. What will an Oxford bondsman take?
By state law the fee is 10 percent of the bail, never under $100, plus a $50 processing fee. For a $3,000 bond that is about $300 plus the processing fee. The fee is kept. Check that the agent is licensed through the Mississippi Insurance Department, and never sign blank forms.
↑ Back to the question list10. Is there a less costly option than a bondsman?
Sometimes. Mississippi's cash deposit bond rule lets the court accept 10 percent of the bond or $250, whichever is greater, with a notarized affidavit, when the judge allows it. Ask the county court at 662-234-4954, ext. 2, if your family member qualifies.
↑ Back to the question list11. Can a house or land secure the bond?
A person who is not a bail agent must swear to owning Mississippi property worth the bond after debts and exempt property, and must list other bonds. The rule requires the state, not Lafayette County. Land located outside Mississippi does not qualify. Contact the clerk at 662-234-4951 for the papers.
↑ Back to the question list12. When does a judge have to see someone arrested in Oxford?
Within 48 hours of an arrest without a warrant. The judge states the charge, decides probable cause, explains the right to a lawyer, and sets release terms. If the deadline passes on a bailable charge, the rule calls for release on a bond at the lowest amount.
↑ Back to the question list13. Why does the Oxford record say no bond?
A judge may not have set one yet. A probation, parole, or other-county hold keeps the person in custody too. On the state guide a capital felony runs from $25,000 to no bail, and a new felony while on a felony bond can lead to all bonds being revoked. In domestic violence cases, bail waits for an appearance before a judge, and the judge may add a hold of up to 24 hours.
↑ Back to the question list14. Where would a teenager arrested in Lafayette County be taken?
Juveniles go through youth court, and the adult search covers adults only. Call 662-234-4954 and ask for the youth court contact. A student under 18 arrested in Oxford is a youth case.
↑ Back to the question list15. Does Lafayette County have a public defender?
If a person cannot pay, the judge at the first appearance must offer a lawyer and appoint one. The county court at 662-234-4954 and the circuit clerk at 662-234-4951 are the contacts for those appointments. Ask that lawyer about lowering the bond.
↑ Back to the question list16. What if he does not appear at the Oxford hearing?
A warrant issues and the bond can be forfeited. A bail agent may bring him in to end the bond. Forfeited cash is recovered within 18 months if he is surrendered or appears, less costs. Call a lawyer.
↑ Back to the question list17. How can I check for fake Oxford bail calls?
No office accepts gift cards, crypto, or app transfers. Call the detention center at 662-234-6421 yourself. Money on a commissary account is not bail.
↑ Back to the question listLafayette County bail contacts
- County jail: Lafayette County Detention Center, 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655; 662-234-6421
- Bond help: Lafayette County bail and bond guide
- Courthouse: 1 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655; 662-234-4954
- County court: County Court judge's office; Suite 301, 1 Courthouse Square; 662-234-4954, ext. 2; weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Custody lookup: Lafayette County Inmate Search
- Public defender: Appointed-lawyer questions go to the county court, 662-234-4954, or circuit clerk, 662-234-4951
- Youth court: Through the courthouse, 662-234-4954
- Bail agents: Mississippi Insurance Department, which licenses every bail agent
Phone lines, hours, and amounts can change without notice, and the written order from the judge governs. This page is plain-language help rather than legal advice.
Lafayette County Detention Center ON-SITE (at the jail) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
711 Jackson Avenue East
Oxford, MS 38655
662-234-6421
Schedule Video Visits online with Smart Visit
- On-site Visits are free.
- Visitation schedule subject to change.
- Schedule depends on an inmate's housing and classification.
- Inmates are allowed four 30-minute visits per week.
- You must arrive 15 minutes prior to the visit.
- A maximum of one adult and one child are allowed per an on-site video session.
- Only one infant (under 1 year of age) will be allowed per visit and will not be counted as a visitor
- All visits must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
- Any person visiting must not have been incarcerated within the past 180 days.
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | NO on site VISITS |
| MONDAY | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Lafayette County Detention Center REMOTE (at home) VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
Schedule Video Visits online with Smart Inmate
- All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
- Remote visits are charged a fee.
- Visitation Schedule subject to change.
REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| MONDAY | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| TUESDAY | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| THURSDAY | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| FRIDAY | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| SATURDAY | 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
Attorneys have access to their clients during the following times:
7:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Inmates cannot be seen during mealtimes, lockdowns and emergency situations.
- Attorneys may call 662-234-6421 for questions or appointments.
SmartJailMail Video Visitation provides a secure online platform that enables families and friends to conduct live, face-to-face video visits with incarcerated loved ones from home. Using an internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or personal computer equipped with a webcam, visitors can connect directly without traveling to the facility.
Important: Advance Registration and Visitor Clearance Required
Detention centers do not permit unscheduled or unverified video sessions. Correctional facilities require prospective visitors to submit government-issued photo identification and receive administrative clearance before booking an appointment, an approval process that can take up to 48 hours depending on facility staffing. You should verify your visitor approval status with the facility prior to scheduling. If you do not register well in advance, you will miss your loved one's scheduled visiting window for the week.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Schedule a Video Visit
- Visit www.smartjailmail.com and sign into your account.
- Register your visitor profile and upload a clear photograph of your government-issued ID (driver's license or passport) for facility background review.
- Wait for email notification confirming facility visitor approval.
- Select Video Visitation, choose the detention facility, and select the inmate.
- Browse the available schedule calendar, select an open time slot, and pay the visitation fee using a credit or debit card.
- Log into the website 10 minutes prior to the start time on a device with a functioning camera, microphone, and reliable high-speed internet connection.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate receives a visitation notification on their housing unit video kiosk or tablet. At the appointed time, they log in with their PIN and sit before the terminal. Inmates and visitors must strictly observe jail dress and conduct rules; sessions are monitored by staff and will terminate immediately upon any violation.
Official Provider: SmartJailMail Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-253-5178
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Smart Communications
In addition to Remote Video Visitation, Smart Communications provides electronic messaging and phone calling services:
- SmartJailMail Two-Way Messaging: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Two-Way Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: SmartJailMail Messaging - Smart Inmate Phone Services: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Phone Time Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Smart Inmate Calling
Lafayette County, Mississippi — Criminal Courts, Bail, and Sentencing
Courts that hear criminal cases here are County Court, Justice Court, Circuit Court and, in town, Municipal Court. The Lafayette County Courthouse is at 1 Courthouse Sq., Oxford, MS 38655, phone 662-234-4954. Anyone held waits in the detention center at 711 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655.
Put the name into the county jail search and note any charge. Our Inmate Lists page also covers recent arrests, warrants and public defenders.
Ring 662-234-4954 and ask which court holds the file. To learn about posting money, our bail page lays out the options.
1. What makes a criminal case federal in Lafayette County?
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi — Oxford Division: 911 Jackson Avenue East, Oxford, MS 38655. Telephone: 662-234-1971.
For Lafayette County residents, the key distinction is whether the charge violates Mississippi law or United States law. Federal indictments are brought by the United States, and the federal court handles federal criminal hearings.
A federal case typically includes an initial appearance before a magistrate judge, a detention or release decision, an indictment when required, plea or trial proceedings, and sentencing under federal law. Pretrial federal detainees may be housed under U.S. Marshals contracts; a federal prison sentence is handled by the Bureau of Prisons.
This guide explains general criminal-court procedures, not advice for an individual charge. The formal charging documents and court orders control the person’s case.
↑ Back to the question list2. Which courts handle criminal charges in Lafayette County?
Lafayette County Courthouse: 1 Courthouse Sq., Oxford, MS 38655. Courthouse telephone: 662-234-4954. This is the courthouse directory number, not necessarily the direct line for every individual clerk.
- County Court and Youth Court: Lafayette County may have a county court handling assigned matters; in counties without one, youth matters can be handled in chancery court. Juvenile court arrangements are not identical everywhere in Mississippi.
- Circuit Court: the principal felony trial court for Lafayette County. The circuit clerk handles circuit filings and maintains case records. A courthouse may also house other courts, but they have separate clerks and calendars.
- Justice Court: hears many state-law misdemeanors occurring in the county and performs early proceedings in felony accusations. Ask for the justice-court docket, not the circuit felony docket, when a citation names justice court.
- Municipal Court: where a city has one, this handles municipal offenses and some state-law misdemeanors within its jurisdiction. A city court cannot conduct a full felony trial.
The courthouse address above is a verified county courthouse listing. It is not a claim that every juvenile, municipal, or justice-court hearing takes place in that same courtroom. Read the name and location on the summons or hearing notice.
↑ Back to the question list3. How does booking and the first court appearance work in Lafayette County?
After an arrest in Lafayette County, officers record identifying information, the alleged offense, and any active warrants. The sheriff’s detention operation generally manages county inmates, but a city arrest may have a different initial stop.
The judge or other authorized judicial officer decides whether the defendant may go home before trial and on what terms. Some people are released on their own promise to return. Others must meet bond terms or remain detained under a lawful order.
For the Lafayette County case, write down the person’s legal name, booking number if available, charge, next hearing date, and bond terms. A release decision does not end the prosecution.
↑ Back to the question list4. What happens in court for a misdemeanor in Lafayette County?
Misdemeanors are the less serious class of crimes, but a conviction can still affect work, housing, and driving privileges. The first appearance explains the charge and begins the process of entering a plea.
A charge filed in city court can stay there for a lower-level offense. The city judge does not conduct a full felony trial; serious charges must move through the appropriate state courts.
A Lafayette County misdemeanor can conclude with dismissal, a lawful diversion or negotiated resolution, or trial. The result will depend on the accusation and evidence, not on the fact of an arrest.
↑ Back to the question list5. What is the path from felony arrest to trial in Lafayette County?
The circuit court is Mississippi’s main trial court for felony prosecutions. A grand jury indictment generally formally charges the offense, followed by arraignment and further hearings.
If the accusation in Lafayette County is a felony, watch for the circuit-court case and indictment information. A grand jury decides whether a formal accusation should issue; it does not decide that the accused is guilty.
An appointed defense attorney may be available to an eligible person who cannot afford representation. The judge determines appointment under the governing rules.
↑ Back to the question list6. What happens with murder, robbery, and other serious cases in Lafayette County?
An accusation involving a weapon or serious injury does not tell the whole sentencing story. Prosecutors must prove the elements of the charged law, and enhancements can change the available range.
For a violent felony arising in Lafayette County, the state circuit court is generally the trial court unless a federal law supplies jurisdiction. Victims’ rights, protective orders, witness issues, and release restrictions may all matter.
↑ Back to the question list7. What happens when someone under 18 is arrested in Lafayette County?
Youth court focuses on a child’s case and possible supervision or services, not simply applying adult jail sentences. The court’s authority and possible transfer rules depend on the offense and age.
For a youth from Lafayette County, the family should pay particular attention to the written notice of detention, youth-court date, and who is allowed to attend. Ordinary adult court-contact rules do not automatically apply.
↑ Back to the question list8. What are the sentencing limits for common crimes in Lafayette County?
An offense’s statutory limit is not an automatic sentence. A first offender and a person with prior convictions may face very different outcomes under applicable law.
- Simple assault (Miss. Code § 97-3-7(1)(a)): up to six months in county jail, a fine of up to $500, or both.
- Petit larceny, ordinary property worth under $1,000 (§ 97-17-43(1)): potentially up to six months in county jail and a fine up to $1,000; the law generally requires suspended jail time with probation or a fine unless the court makes specified findings.
- Aggravated assault (§ 97-3-7(2)(a)): up to one year in county jail or up to 20 years in state custody for the usual offense; enhanced situations carry different rules.
- Aggravated domestic violence (§ 97-3-7(4)(a)): 2 to 20 years in state custody for the basic offense; repeated convictions may increase the sentencing range.
- Simple domestic violence (§ 97-3-7(3)(a)): up to six months in jail, a fine up to $500, or both; qualifying repeat cases can become felonies.
Mississippi does not assign every felony a single universal sentencing range. The offense statute sets its own punishment, and repeat-offender laws can substantially change the time ordered.
↑ Back to the question list
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Smart Communications Inmate Trust & Commissary Deposits
Provider: Smart Communications (SmartJailMail / Smart Deposit)Smart Communications provides secure electronic banking solutions that allow friends and family members to deposit funds directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust and commissary account. Deposited funds give your loved one the financial balance needed to purchase food items, personal care products, stationery, and over-the-counter medication from the jail commissary.
Important: Facility Deposit Rules and Window Intake Vary
Once a person is booked and moved to a housing unit, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Deposit Funds
- Confirm the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned booking or inmate ID number.
- Navigate to www.smartjailmail.com or www.smartdeposit.com.
- Sign into your verified profile or create an account using your email and telephone number.
- Select Commissary Deposit or Send Money from your dashboard.
- Select the state and facility where the inmate is currently housed.
- Confirm the inmate's identity from the roster match to ensure funds route to the correct account.
- Enter your deposit dollar amount, review calculated convenience fees, and enter your debit or credit card billing details.
- Submit payment and save your digital confirmation receipt for your records.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive funds. Once the electronic transaction clears, the balance posts directly to their jail trust ledger according to facility accounting schedules. The inmate can review their updated balance at a dayroom pod kiosk or on their tablet and place orders on their regular commissary day.
Official Provider: SmartJailMail Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-253-5178
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Smart Communications
In addition to Trust Money Deposits, Smart Communications provides several other communication, tablet, and visitation services:
- SmartJailMail Two-Way Messaging: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk or tablet.
• Learn more on our website: Two-Way Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: SmartJailMail Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live face-to-face video visits from your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: SmartJailMail Video Visits - Smart Inmate Phone Services: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Phone Time Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Smart Inmate Calling - Inmate Tablets & Digital Services: Learn how handheld devices provide access to messaging, phone calls, and media.
• Learn more on our website: Tablet Programs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Smart Communications Tablets
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Lafayette County Detention Center
The Easiest and Securest Way of Depositing Money for an Inmate
There are several methods for depositing money on an inmate's account:
1. To send money online to an inmate in the Lafayette County Detention Center use Smart Communications money deposits.
2. If you prefer to use your credit or debit card and deposit money over the phone, you can call them at 727-349-1561 or submit a question online.
3. Deposit cash or use a debit or credit card using a dedicated kiosk for this purpose. The machine is located in the lobby or visitation area of the Lafayette County Detention Center.
4. The Lafayette County Detention Center may also allow you to *mail an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. The money order should be be made out to either the inmate or the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, with the inmate’s name and ID# on the memo line of the check. To confirm this option call the facility at 662-234-6421.
*When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself. Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate, unless the facility allows it. Never send personal checks or cash.
5. The Lafayette County Detention Center has a reception desk that may accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Call 662-234-6421 to find out the specific hours for drop off times.
The Lafayette County Detention Center on Jackson Avenue East in Oxford is the jail for Lafayette County, Mississippi, and is run by the Sheriff's Department. A single address covers personal letters, legal mail and anything shipped by a publisher. The jail also has video kiosks and money kiosks, so mail is just one of several ways to stay in touch.
Letters, legal mail, books and periodicals:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Lafayette County Detention Center
711 Jackson Ave. East
Oxford, MS 38655
- From line: Every envelope and postcard needs your full name and return address. A letter that shows neither is not likely to reach the inmate.
- To line: Above the Oxford address, write the inmate's full name and their inmate ID number.
- Writing tools: Blue or black ink. Felt markers, crayons and colored ink are turned away.
- No decorations: Oxford staff reject drawings, glitter, confetti, lipstick and perfume.
- Greeting cards: Only plain ones, and never a card that plays a song.
- Books, newspapers and magazines: They need to be new and arrive straight from the publisher. Books with obscene or excessively violent images are discarded, and adult magazines or ones showing weapons are confiscated.
- Packages: Items can only be sent through the jail's approved commissary vendor.
- Who can get mail: Family and friends may write, but co-defendants, other inmates and anyone under a no-contact order may not.
- Zero tolerance: The jail takes mail violations seriously, and a broken rule can cost the inmate mail privileges.
- Money: Family can add money to a commissary account at the jail's money kiosks. For other ways to pay, see send money.
Staff hand out mail Monday through Friday, and an inmate may receive as many letters as people send.
Smart Inmate (operated by Smart Communications) provides secure telecommunications services for county detention centers and local correctional facilities. Establishing an AdvancePay prepaid telephone account links calling minutes directly to your mobile phone or landline number, ensuring outbound calls placed by an incarcerated loved one connect without carrier billing interruptions.
Important: Cellular Networks Block Unfunded Inmate Calls
Inmate phone networks do not permit incoming telephone calls, and cellular carriers do not support collect billing from detention centers. While select traditional landlines may support direct monthly carrier billing, wireless smartphones and VoIP lines require an active prepaid calling balance, which you can verify by checking with your telephone service provider. If you do not register online and fund your phone account right away, your loved one will receive an automated disconnect announcement when dialing your number.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund a Phone Account
- Visit www.smartinmate.com or call customer care at 1-888-253-5178.
- Click Sign Up and register using your primary 10-digit telephone number and email address.
- Select the state and facility where the inmate is currently housed.
- Locate the inmate using their full legal name or facility booking ID number.
- Choose your deposit amount ($25, $50, or custom amount) and enter your credit or debit card billing information.
- Authorize payment, save your confirmation number, and confirm that your mobile phone does not filter automated correctional phone lines as spam.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate dials your 10-digit telephone number from any dayroom telephone and keys in their assigned PIN. The automated system verifies that your phone number has an active prepaid balance and connects the call once you press the prompted number to accept. All personal telephone calls are recorded and monitored by facility investigators.
Official Provider: Smart Inmate Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-253-5178
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Smart Communications
In addition to Phone Calling, Smart Communications provides digital messaging and visitation options via its companion portals:
- SmartJailMail Two-Way Messaging: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: SmartJailMail Messaging - SmartJailMail Remote Video Visits: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: SmartJailMail Video Visits
Smart Communications provides the SmartJailMail digital communications system, enabling two-way electronic messaging, photo sharing, and digital mail delivery for county jails and correctional facilities across the United States. Messages and approved digital photos clear electronic screening in hours, eliminating postal delays.
Important: Postal Mail Transition and Digital Message Credits Vary
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and traditional postal mail rules differ across correctional agencies. While some facilities still allow regular handwritten letters, many facilities utilizing Smart Communications have completely eliminated physical mail delivery, redirecting postal letters to a central scanning hub or mandating direct digital messaging, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase message credits immediately, your loved one may face lengthy communication delays while waiting for updates from home.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Send Messages
- Visit www.smartjailmail.com and click Sign Up to create a free user profile.
- Verify your email address and primary telephone number.
- Search for the inmate by selecting the state, detention facility, and entering their legal name or booking ID.
- Send an electronic contact connection request to link your account to the inmate's profile.
- Purchase a messaging credit bundle using a debit or credit card.
- Compose your message in the text editor and attach approved JPEG photos if permitted by facility guidelines.
- Submit your message to the facility's screening queue.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
All electronic correspondence is screened by facility staff before delivery. Once approved, messages appear in the inmate's inbox on their housing unit Smart Communications kiosk or tablet. The inmate opens the message, views attached photos, and types an electronic reply using their available credits.
Official Provider: SmartJailMail Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-253-5178
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Smart Communications
In addition to Two-Way Messaging, Smart Communications operates video visitation and phone services at participating facilities:
- Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live face-to-face video visits from your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: SmartJailMail Video Visits - Smart Inmate Phone Services: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your mobile phone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Phone Time Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Smart Inmate Calling
Smart Communications Inmate Tablets & Digital Services
Provider: Smart Communications (SmartJailMail / SmartPad)Smart Communications deploys secure, corrections-grade handheld tablets (SmartPad) to incarcerated individuals in county detention facilities. Operating on a secure internal wireless network, these devices allow inmates to conduct remote video visits, make voice telephone calls, send and receive electronic messages, stream approved music, read digital books, and access self-help resources directly from their housing pods.
Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary
Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages, listening to music, or making phone calls from the tablet requires an active balance funded by outside contacts.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Support and Fund SmartPad Tablets
- Verify that Smart Communications handheld tablets are active at your loved one's specific detention facility.
- Navigate to www.smartjailmail.com on your computer or mobile device.
- Sign into your verified user profile and link the inmate's legal name and booking ID number.
- Select Messaging Credits or Inmate Media Funds to add funds to their available balance.
- Specify your deposit dollar amount, review convenience fees, and enter your credit or debit card billing details.
- Submit payment, save your confirmation receipt, and notify your loved one that their device balance is available.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using their PIN or biometric scan. Their available balance appears on the screen, allowing them to download songs, read digital books, write messages, and communicate with approved family members. Devices are returned to charging racks during facility count times and for overnight storage.
Official Provider: SmartJailMail Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-253-5178
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Smart Communications
In addition to Tablet Services, Smart Communications provides several other communication, financial, and visitation options:
- SmartJailMail Two-Way Messaging: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Two-Way Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: SmartJailMail Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live face-to-face video visits from your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: SmartJailMail Video Visits - Smart Inmate Phone Services: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Phone Time Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Smart Inmate Calling - Inmate Trust & Commissary Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Smart Communications Deposits
- Jail (Main): 662-234-6421
- Sheriff: 662-234-6421
The Lafayette County Detention Center serves the following cities and towns of Lafayette County: Abbeville, College Hill, Oxford, Taylor and University.