The Smith County Sheriff's Department is the top law enforcement agency in the county. They are authorized to keep the peace in accordance with Mississippi state law. The department is led by the sheriff, who is elected at-large and serves a four-year term. The Sheriff's duties include keeping peace within the county, serving as the county's jailer, submitting a budget of his office’s estimated expenses for the next fiscal year including payment of premiums on the bonds and insurance necessary to protect the interest of the county. (i.e. bonds for liability insurance, insurance against false arrest charges, insurance against false imprisonment charges, theft, fire, and other hazards insurance, and hospitalization insurance) to the Board of Supervisors, keeping records in accordance with Mississippi law, and keeping a jail docket.
The Sheriff is also responsible for the courthouse and jail of his county, of the premises belonging thereto, and of the prisoners in said jail. This includes the protection of the court and prisoners from mob violence, injuries or attacks by mobs, and from trespasses and intruders. |
Smith County Sheriff's Department
Joel Houston, Sheriff 206 Courthouse Square P.O. Box 307 Raleigh, MS 39153 Phone: 601-782-4531 |