Audrain County Arrest Records

In Audrain County, law enforcement officers are empowered to make an arrest when they have probable cause for a felony offense or in a situation with a flight risk suspect. During an arrest, the arresting officer transports the arrestee to the nearest law enforcement facility. They then log the arrestee's biometric data into a criminal justice database, including fingerprints, alleged offense, and charges. This generates an official arrest record.

The Audrain County Court has jurisdiction to handle matters related to an individual's arrest, sentencing, and ongoing legal proceedings. Interested parties seeking information about an individual's arrest, release conditions, and disposition may direct their inquiries to the court clerk for access to Audrain County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Audrain County?

Yes. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, government agencies must provide access to their records unless another law categorically states otherwise. Arrest records and other criminal records maintained by law enforcement agencies fall under this general requirement. Consequently, most such records in Audrain County are publicly available. However, specific statutory provisions, such as RSMo § 610.021, state the exceptions to this rule. Examples of exempt records include records about the arrest of juvenile offenders and records that have been expunged. Despite these restrictions on public access, governmental agencies, the subject of the record, and other legally entitled parties retain access to these records.

Audrain County Arrest Statistics

According to a 2022 report, in Audrain County, the rate of violent crime was 159.03 per 1,000.

There were 635 arrests. Driving under the influence was the leading cause of arrests that year in the County with 195 incidents, followed by drug possession violations (120 arrests), drug abuse violations (128 arrests), and other assaults (118 arrests).

Find Audrain County Arrest Records

Interested parties seeking arrest records in Audrain County may begin their search by contacting the police department with jurisdiction over the area where the arrest took place. Requesters may also expand their search to include the Audrain County Sheriff's Office and other relevant local law enforcement agencies.

The Audrain County Sheriff's Office charges a $3.00 processing fee for all requests for arrest reports. The Sheriff's Office provides multiple avenues for submitting record requests. Requesters may submit a request form online, visit in person, or request by mail. For mail-in requests requiring the return of documents, a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage and size to accommodate the records must be included. Interested parties may direct their mail-in requests and general correspondence to the Audrain County Sheriff's Office at:

Audrain County Sheriff's Office
1100 Littleby Road
Mexico, MO 65265
Phone: (573) 473-5800
Fax: (573) 581-2924

In addition to local law enforcement agencies, state and federal resources are available to record seekers. The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) maintains arrest records for individuals arrested by its officers. These records are available via the MSHP Arrest Reports Portal. Moreover, the MSHP Records Division handles requests for physical copies of these arrest records. Furthermore, the Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) maintain records about individuals who have been convicted and are serving sentences within the state and federal facilities.

Audrain County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The terms "arrest record" and "criminal record" are often confused, but they have different purposes and legal implications. An arrest record is a documentation of an individual's arrest and detention by law enforcement officers, alongside the charges arising from the arrest. In comparison, a criminal record is created after a formal conviction in court. Criminal records consist of the individual's notations of arrests, indictments, charges, and disposition. If a record bears the final disposition or verdict, it is a criminal record. The presence of the final disposition in the record marks a key distinction.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Generally, arrest records in Audrain County are retained as part of an individual's criminal history for their lifetime. However, Article XIV, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution provides for the automatic expungement of arrest records related to specific marijuana offenses unless there is reasonable cause to deny such relief. Expungement is the only means of permanently removing an arrest record and preventing its disclosure in background checks.

Audrain County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a judge mandating law enforcement agents apprehend a suspect and take them into custody. Prior to their issuance, a citizen or law enforcement agent must have made a written complaint in court with evidence that the accused committed a crime. The judge subsequently determines, based on the evidence provided, whether there is probable cause for the individual to be arrested.

Under section 22.05 of the Missouri criminal code, an arrest warrant must contain the following:

• The name or description of the individual, such as eye color, ethnicity, and tattoos
• The alleged offense
• A command to apprehend the individual
• The location and date
• The issuing judge
• Release or bail conditions

Do Audrain County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Once issued, arrest warrants remain in effect indefinitely, regardless of the kind of arrest warrant and the allegations against the suspect. They stay active until the named individual is apprehended or deceased.

Expunge Audrain County Arrest Records

Expungement is the legal process by which an individual's criminal records are set aside and removed from the law enforcement database. This relief is limited to qualifying individuals and offenses. As outlined in RSMo §610.140, eligibility is determined by the charges that led to the arrest, the status of the case, whether the individual was guilty or charges were dropped, and whether the individual is a repeat offender.

Generally, an individual acquitted during trial or dismissed of their charges may petition for expungement. However, individuals cannot expunge more than two misdemeanors or one felony offense. Furthermore, some categories of arrests and convictions cannot be expunged. These include class A felonies, assault, domestic abuse, sexual assault, and felonies involving death.

If the court grants an individual's petition to expunge the arrest record, it notifies the arresting agency and all relevant law enforcement bodies. The public cannot find such a record, so it is as if the arrest never occurred.