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

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The office of constable is filled through election by district for a four year term. These districts are “single member election districts” by the Board of Supervisors. Each district has the same boundaries as the districts established for justice court judges. They have the authority to serve civil process and make arrests throughout Smith County, aswell as fulfill a variety of other responsibilities.

​These responsibilities and duties include:
• Attend and participate in a two week training session, including firearm use and safety training.
• Keep and preserve the peace with the county, by faithfully aiding and assisting in executing the criminal laws of the state.
• Attend the justice court of his district.
• Execute all judgments in any criminal case before the court.
• Take the oath of office prescribed by the Mississippi Constitution.
• Post bond payable in an amount equal to $25,000.00

"Investigation of all deaths affecting the public interest...."

The Smith County Coroner is responsible for investigating deaths to determine cause and manner. Each coroner elected is recognized as a county medical examiner (CME) or county medical examiner investigator (CMEI). A CME is a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine licensed in the Sate of Mississippi, while a CMEI is a nonphyscian possessing, at a minimum, a high school diploma or its equivalent. In addition to the successful completion of the Death Investigation Training School, the CME/CMEI must successfully complete additional training on subject material presented by the State Medical Examiner at least once every four years. Moreover, the CME/CMEI must also receive at least twenty-four hours of continuing education annually. If the continuing education standards are not met, the CME/CMEI is disqualified and removed from office. The CME/CMEI, with the Board of Supervisors, may appoint deputy medical examiners or deputy medical examiner investigators as deemed necessary. All deputies possess the same authority and duties and are subject to the same qualifications, training, and certification requirements as any CME/CMEI. The CME/CMEI is responsible for assuring readily available death investigators for the county twenty-four (24) hour-a-day for the investigation of all deaths “affecting the public interest.”