Buchanan County Arrest Records

Law enforcement agencies in Buchanan County, Missouri, conduct arrests when there is probable cause to believe a person committed a crime. Buchanan County arrest records are generated by law enforcement agencies, primarily the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments. These records detail the circumstances surrounding an arrest of a person. Arrested persons are kept in the Buchanan County Jail.

There are circumstances where arrest records become part of Buchanan County Court Records. This includes where the arrested person is charged to court. In such instances, the court record details the legal proceedings that result from an arrest, including charges, court dates, and outcomes.

Are Arrest Records Public in Buchanan County?

According to Missouri Sunshine Law, Buchanan County arrest records are generally considered public. This means that members of the public can access these records, which include information about arrests. However, certain types of arrest information may be exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions include:

• Juvenile records.
• If the release of the record could compromise an active investigation.
• Expunged records.
• Arrest records related to specific sensitive cases, such as domestic violence or sexual offenses.
• Private information that constitutes an infringement of personal privacy.
• Confidential information or communications.
• Records are subject to non-disclosure laws.
• Records that may endanger the health and safety of individuals if disclosed.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Buchanan County contain the following information:

• Personal information of the arrestee - full name, gender, race, and other personal details.
• Arrest details - date, time, and location of the arrest, as well as the arresting agency (e.g., local police department or sheriff’s office).
• Charge(s) filed against the individual.
• Incident report.
• Booking information - booking number and mugshot.
• Bail information.
• Court information.

Buchanan County Arrest Statistics

The Statistical Analysis Center of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the arrest statistics statewide in Missouri. In 2023, Buchanan County experienced a total of 185 reported arrests. There were 32 violent crime arrests and 153 property crime arrests. The breakdown of violent crimes includes 13 aggravated assaults, five robberies, and 14 cases of sexual assault. There were no murder-related arrests. Property crime arrests included 30 burglaries, 25 motor vehicle thefts, and 98 larceny arrests. There were no reported arrests for arson in the county.

Find Buchanan County Arrest Records

To locate arrest records and inmate information in Buchanan County, use the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office inmate inquiry. The portal provides a list of current inmates. It can also be searched by name, subject number, booking number, custody date, and housing facility.

The Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC) provides the offender search tool containing information about state facility inmates. Users can search for inmates by name and DOC ID. This tool will provide information on current inmates, including their status, charges, and facility location.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides an inmate locator tool for individuals incarcerated at the federal level. You can search for federal inmates by entering their name or BOP register number. This resource will show the inmate’s current status and location within the federal prison system.

Free Arrest Record Search in Buchanan County

There are official sources for Buchanan County arrest records and inmate information at the county, state, and federal levels:

• Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office’s inmate inquiry
• MODOC offender search
• BOP Inmate Locator

There are third-party websites that compile arrest records from different jurisdictions and allow you to search for arrest records for free. Please note that while third-party websites can be useful for obtaining arrest records, they may charge fees for detailed reports or premium features. The accuracy and completeness of the information these sites provide cannot be guaranteed, as they often rely on public records that may vary in timeliness and reliability. Always verify the information obtained through these sources with official law enforcement agencies when possible.

Buchanan County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Buchanan County, arrest records are different from criminal records, with each serving a distinct purpose and containing different information.

Arrest records provide details of an individual’s arrest by law enforcement. These records include information such as the arrestee’s details and the circumstances of the arrest. Arrest records do not necessarily indicate a conviction; they simply reflect that an individual was taken into custody based on suspected criminal activity.

In contrast, criminal records provide a comprehensive account of an individual’s criminal history. This record includes arrests and subsequent legal outcomes such as convictions, sentences, and any court proceedings related to those arrests. Criminal records may detail convictions, acquittals, pending charges, and related court orders, such as probation or parole.

While arrest records focus on the initial encounter with law enforcement, criminal records offer a broader view of an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system, including the results.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Buchanan County, arrests remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless expunged. Under Missouri law, individuals can petition to have certain arrest records expunged, especially if they were not convicted of the charges or if the charges were dismissed.

However, the process for expungement is subject to specific eligibility criteria and legal requirements, which can vary based on the nature of the arrest and the outcome. If granted, expungement removes the arrest from the individual’s criminal history, making it inaccessible to the public.

Expunge Buchanan County Arrest Records

In Buchanan County, the process of expunging or sealing arrest records involves a legal procedure that can clear or limit public access to certain criminal records. Missouri expungement law allows individuals with qualifying criminal records to petition to have their offenses sealed or removed from public view.

Individuals can apply for expungement only after meeting certain conditions, which include:

• Payment of all fines and fees associated with the offense.
• Successful completion of probation and/or parole.
• A waiting period of three years following a felony conviction.
• A waiting period of one year after a misdemeanor conviction.

To begin the process of expunging or sealing a record, the petitioner should:

• File a petition in the court where they were charged and convicted. This can be done by completing the Petition for Expungement of Records form. A filing fee of $250 is required, though it can be waived if the petitioner demonstrates financial hardship and inability to pay it.
• Once the petition is filed, it must include a list of defendants, typically of agencies or individuals that maintain the records in question.
• These entities will be formally notified and have 30 days to file any objections to the expungement request.
• If no objections are filed within the 30-day period, or if there are objections, the court will schedule a hearing. The hearing must be held within 60 days if objections have been raised or 30 days if none were made.
• After the hearing, if the court grants the expungement, the petitioner can legally claim that they have not been convicted of the crime. However, there are exceptions to this, as certain applications—such as those for professional licenses, permits, or certifications—may still require disclosure of the sealed records.
• In cases where the expungement is denied, the petitioner can either refile the petition after one year or appeal the court’s decision.

Missouri law allows more than one expungement per individual, but this is limited to no more than one felony and two misdemeanors or ordinance violations resulting in imprisonment.

However, there are certain offenses that cannot be expunged, including:

• Class A felonies
• Crimes requiring sex offender registration
• Felonies involving the death of a person
• Crimes related to domestic assault or kidnapping

While individuals may petition for expungement on their own, it is often advisable to seek the assistance of an attorney to navigate the legal complexities of the process.

Buchanan County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are issued by the court instructing law enforcement officers to apprehend an individual suspected of committing a crime. When law enforcement believes that a person has committed a crime, they can request an arrest warrant from a judge or magistrate. The application or affidavit to the court details the evidence and reasons for believing that the individual committed a crime.

An arrest warrant includes the following information:

• The full name of the individual to be arrested.
• Details such as the individual’s date of birth, physical characteristics, and any known aliases.
• A brief description of the alleged crime(s) and relevant statutes or laws violated.
• The date the warrant was issued by the judge.
• The signature of the judge authorizing the arrest.
• The name of the agency authorized to execute the warrant.

Do Buchanan County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Buchanan County, arrest warrants do not have a strict expiration date. Once issued, an arrest warrant generally remains active until it is executed (the individual is arrested) or until it is formally canceled or quashed by a court. Authorized law enforcement agencies can enforce the warrant at any time as long as it is valid.