Missouri Arrest Records

Missouri arrest records are documents that contain information about a person’s arrest. When a person is arrested on suspicion of committing a crime, the arresting officer or agency creates a document detailing the arrestee’s personal information, the date and time of the arrest, the location of the arrest, the reason for arrest, and all other interactions with the law enforcement officer. 

An arrest record is not evidence of guilt. It simply shows that an individual was apprehended and taken into police custody. Only a court of competent jurisdiction can decide whether a person is guilty or innocent. In Missouri, records are created and retained by state and local law enforcement agencies. If and when a judge gives a guilty verdict for an offense, it automatically becomes a criminal history record compiled and disseminated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. 

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Data for 2023, there were 21,932 incidents of firearms-related crimes, 14,975 cases of property crimes, 36,401 reported incidents of domestic violence crimes, and only 8643 arrests for violent crimes. The numbers clearly show a considerable gap between arrests and actual crime reports. The state recorded 14,975 reported offenses for property crimes alone and a clearance rate of only 16.76 percent. 

Are Arrest Records Public in Missouri?

Yes. Pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law codified in Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, anyone can access and request copies of records in the custody of any public governmental body or documents created by private organizations on behalf of a public government agency (RSMo § 610.011). 

The Missouri Sunshine law applies to all records in the custody of any office or agency under the Missouri Department of Public Safety and the Missouri judiciary. All records, regardless of mode of creation or storage (written or digital) maintained by a public body, will be subject to the public records law unless specifically exempt by law. 

Requests for public records may be rejected where such documents are sealed by an order of the court, federal or state law, or in the exercise of discretionary powers by a public body. In the event of such denial, the custodian must, upon request, provide a written statement of the ground for denial (RSMo § 610.023). A common ground for refusal of access to arrest records is where the subject of the record is a minor (juvenile arrest records). 

RSMo § 610.021 confers authority on government agencies to restrict public access to records relating to any of the following matters:

• Litigation involving a public body
• Confidential communications between a public body or its representatives and its attorney 
• Medical, psychological, mental health or addiction diagnosis 
• Records subject to non-disclosure laws
• Records that may endanger the health and safety of individuals if disclosed
• Records that contain details on security systems or access codes for real property 
• Bank information (credit card numbers)
• Adoption records
• Juvenile records. 

What is Included in Missouri Arrest Records?

Arrest records created by Missouri law enforcement officers include the following details: 

• Identity of the arrested person: name, address, mugshot, date of birth, and place of birth. 
• Physical description of the arrestee: sex, race, height, scars, tattoos, and eye color. 
• Arrest information: Arrest and booking time and date, arresting agency, arrest county, bail amount, place of incarceration, and release information. 
• Active arrest warrants
• Charge: The class of offense (felony, misdemeanor, traffic, or other minor offenses), specific offense, and degree of the offense. 
• Case number 
• Disposition comments. 

Find Public Arrest Records in Missouri

Arrest records in Missouri are public records. Hence, they are accessible to researchers and all in need of arrest information. An arrest record may be in the custody of a state or local government entity. Law enforcement officers create arrest records upon the arrest of a suspect, which may lead to a court trial. 

Interested persons may find arrest records in Missouri at the office of the state police, county sheriff’s department, and Missouri Courts or other law enforcement agencies authorized to execute arrests in the state. 

Although agencies have peculiar rules and procedures for looking up public records, obtaining public arrest records in Missouri typically involves the steps described below.  

• Identify the Records Custodian: Identify the arresting agency or the municipality/area where the subject of the search was arrested. Local police departments and county sheriffs only retain records of arrests executed by their officers or in their town. 
• Determine the Request Protocols and Fees: Check the websites of the records custodian to find the rules regarding records requests for that establishment. When in doubt, call the office phone lines to confirm all necessary information. For example, opening hours, health safety protocols (whether visitors must be masked), accessibility entrances (for people living with disabilities), mail request formats, mailing address, ID requirements, the status of the record (opened or sealed), and other mandatory requirements and fees. 
• Submit the Request: Requests for public records may be made in person, by mail, fax, or online. Many county sheriffs maintain online arrest reports and logs. Persons in need of arrest information should visit the office of the arresting agency during its official working hours to make their requests in person. Alternatively, one can send a written request for copies of an arrest record and mail it to the agency’s mailing address. A mail request must be in the format stipulated by the agency. It must also be posted alongside all fees payable and necessary to fulfill the request. 
• Fees and Payment: In Missouri, a copy of a public record is $0.10 per page for a paper copy not larger than 9 x 14 inches. Government agencies can legally charge a fee for the time expended on a record's search, research, and duplication in fulfillment of a request. (RSMo § 610.026). Call the agency beforehand to get an estimate of the cost of your request. 

Obtaining Sealed Arrest Records in Missouri

Sealed or restricted arrest records may be obtained by a writ of Subpoena. According to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 37.55(b), a subpoena is issued for the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary evidence. It commands the person named to appear and testify in court or provide papers, books, documents, or other tangible things. A subpoena for the production of documents is served to a non-party to produce and permit inspection and copying of otherwise non-public records. It is issued by the court clerk. The writ should state the name of the court and the style of civil action. It must also state the name, address, and phone numbers of all the attorneys and self-represented parties of the record (Mo. R. Civ. P. 58.02). 

How to Lookup Arrest Records Online in Missouri

Police and Sheriff Departments in Missouri often maintain online arrest logs and jail rosters where the public can access information on arrested individuals within their municipality. Examples are the Clark County and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report sites. Researchers may also find arrest information in online jail rosters like the Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search Site.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division compiles and publicizes arrest reports and criminal history records. A request for a criminal history record may be performed online (Personal Identifier Search) for a fee of $15 through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). Additionally, the Missouri State Highway provides online arrest reports of individuals arrested by the agency only. 

Interested persons can also search arrest records online using third-party aggregate search sites. Third-party sites primarily compile their information from various states in a single database. Third-party search sites are equally accessible as government websites. However, these service providers are not affiliated with the government. Thus, the completeness and accuracy of the records obtained may vary. 

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Missouri

It varies. In Missouri, arrests stay on your records indefinitely until positive legal action commences. An arrest record can only be removed from a person’s public record following a petition to seal or expunge the record. 

Arrest records generally have a three-year wait period before they can be erased. However, this may vary depending on the offense committed. An individual may apply for an order of expungement in case of a felony after three years and one year for misdemeanors. Once a record is expunged, it becomes exempt from public disclosure. However, the courts can access sealed records. The process of expungement is not automatic. The person must satisfy the eligibility requirements stated under the law.

Expunge an Arrest Record in Missouri

An arrestee may file a petition to the court in the municipality where they were arrested to seal or expunge the record. The requirements for expunging an arrest record are outlined in Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.122. 

Any arrest record made in respect to an arrest, charge, or disposition of a felony or misdemeanor may be expunged where the court finds that the person was arrested based on false information and:

• There is no probable cause at the time of this application to believe the individual is guilty of committing the offense
• The arrest has not and will not result in any formal charges 
• The arrestee did not receive a suspended sentence (probation) for the offense for which he was arrested or any other related offense.

An arrest record with charges for misdemeanor in a moving vehicle may be expunged where:

• The driver was not intoxicated
• The charge was dismissed or nolle prosequi 
• The accused was found not guilty of the offense or violation(s)
• The accused neither holds a commercial driver’s license nor was he driving a commercial vehicle at the time of the arrest.

An arrest record will only be eligible for expungement under this section if there is no pending civil action in relation to the arrest or other documents to be expunged. 

Offenses not eligible for expungement are outlined under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.140. Under this section, a person can apply to seal multiple records for arrests for offenses, violations, and infractions in their lifetime. However, it shall not be more than two misdemeanors or ordinance violations with an authorized term of imprisonment or more than one felony offense. The rule that a person can apply to expunge their records after one year for a misdemeanor and three years for a felony will not apply where the arrest is in respect of:

• Any class A felony offense (first and secondary murder, rape);
• Any dangerous felony as defined in section 556.061 (arson, attempted rape, forcible sodomy)
• Any offense that requires the person to register as a sex offender
• Any felony where death is an element of the offense
• Assault, kidnapping, and domestic assault
• Any offense committed while operating a vehicle, aircraft, or boat while intoxicated.
• Any offense committed where the accused holds or is required to possess a commercial driver's license.

A petition to seal or delete an arrest record must be made to the court of competent jurisdiction in the county or municipality where the petitioner was arrested three years from the date of the arrest, as long as the petitioner has not been charged or found guilty of any misdemeanor or offense. The petition shall name all law enforcement agencies, courts, central repositories of criminal records, or any other agency the petitioner reasonably believes has custody of the record to be deleted as defendants. The petition must contain the following information:

• The petitioner’s full name, race, sex, driver’s license number (for moving vehicle misdemeanors or infractions), and address 
• All offenses, violations, or infractions to be expunged 
• The date the petitioner was charged for the offense (s), and
• The case number and name of the court for each case. 

The court clerk shall give notice of the petition filed to the office of the prosecuting attorney or circuit attorney that prosecuted the petitioner. If the attorney objects to the petioles, he must communicate it in writing within 30 days after receipt of the notice. The court will set a date for a hearing on the matter and shall give sufficient notice to all parties listed as defendants. The court will consider the following criteria to decide whether or not the arrest record should be expunged:

• When the petition was filed, sufficient time had lapsed (one year for misdemeanor and three weeks for felony). 
• The person has not been found guilty of any other misdemeanor, felony, or traffic infraction.
• The person has fulfilled all prior requirements by the judge, including court fines.
• There are no or since charges.
• The person's temperament and conduct show that they are not a threat to society.
• The expungement is consistent with public welfare and the furtherance of justice. 

Where all of these requirements are satisfied (as determined by the court), the court shall grant an expungement order. The court shall send a copy of the order to the petitioner and all public governmental bodies in possession of the record. All records and files maintained concerning expunged files immediately become sealed. It shall only be available to the petitioners and other parties and by the court for proof of legitimate reason. 

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Missouri?

Residents of Missouri can find information on recent arrests in their area by contacting or visiting their local law enforcement agency or the police department in the last known location of the subject. Likewise, online arrest logs are usually updated daily. Interested persons may also check the Missouri State Trooper’s online arrest report and jail rosters. Alternatively, researchers may also check third-party aggregate sites. 

Are Missouri Arrest Records Free?

Yes. Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies are accessible to the public for perusal and inspection without fees or charges. Individuals can access arrest logs maintained by the County Sheriff’s online free of charge. However, mail requests, requests for copies, and certification of documents are not free. While perusal and inspection are free, requestors may be required to pay for coping and certifying the records.